What is the best year for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The Grand Cherokee has one of the most volatile complaint histories in its class. Avoid 2011-2012 (1,638 and 1,634 complaints), 2014 (2,362 complaints, 218 severe — the worst year on record), 2015 (1,333, 183 severe), and 2018 (832 complaints, 56 severe). The 2025 model (54 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the best year in the model's modern history, with 2024 (221 complaints) showing meaningful improvement. If buying used, 2024 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Jeep Grand Cherokee insurance cost?

Grand Cherokee insurance averages around $2,370/year — roughly $198/month. Below average for the midsize class given its above-average maintenance cost.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Grand Cherokee is cheaper to maintain by $66/year — $666 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. Both carry a reliability score of 7. Note the Explorer is a three-row SUV vs. the two-row Grand Cherokee — the comparison is cross-configuration. On pure maintenance cost, the Grand Cherokee has a slight edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Despite sitting at the class average on major repair probability and below average on repair frequency, the Grand Cherokee's documented complaint history — with multiple severe spikes across 2011-2015 and 2018 — makes extended warranty strongly recommended for used models from those years. For 2024 and newer, the risk profile has improved substantially and warranty is less critical.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek expensive to maintain?

At $492/year the Crosstrek sits just $26 above the subcompact segment average of $466 — essentially at par on sticker cost. Where it distinguishes itself is frequency: a 13% repair rate versus the segment average of 20% means fewer unscheduled shop visits per year. Combined with a 7% major repair probability (below the 9% class average) and a 9/10 reliability score, it's a strong long-term ownership choice.

What is the best year for a Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Crosstrek stands out with only 32 complaints, a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, and just 4 severe issues — the cleanest year in its recent history. Avoid the 2019 model, which had 276 complaints. The 2023–2025 window represents the most refined version currently available on the used market.

How much does Subaru Crosstrek insurance cost?

The Crosstrek averages about $1,968/year to insure — roughly $164/month — making it one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs to insure. Its strong safety ratings and low theft profile keep rates competitive across most driver profiles.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V cheaper to maintain?

The HR-V is cheaper by about $191/year — $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. The HR-V also leads on reliability (10 vs. 9) and major repair probability (5% vs. 7%). The Crosstrek's counterargument is standard AWD, which the HR-V doesn't offer — a meaningful difference depending on where and how you drive.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Crosstrek?

Probably not. A 7% major repair probability and 13% repair frequency both sit below the subcompact segment average, and a 9/10 reliability score puts it in low-risk territory. If buying a 2019 model used, some coverage is worth considering given elevated complaints that year — otherwise, self-insuring makes more financial sense.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Subaru Crosstrek

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Subaru Crosstrek — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Subaru Crosstrek
Annual maintenance	$666	$492winner
5-year total cost	$3,330	$2,460winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	7%winner
Cargo space	70.8 cu ftwinner	54.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$39,700	$27,600winner
Best years to buy	2010, 2017, 2018	2021

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Subaru Crosstrek
RepairPal score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	353.4	—
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2014	2018, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	64.6%	90.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	50%	71.2%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	40.1%	59.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Subaru Crosstrek
Engine	18.3%	10.7%winner
Electrical	22.5%	10.1%winner
ADAS	6.4%winner	10.4%
Brakes	10.1%	1.6%winner
Suspension	1.8%	1.0%winner
Steering	3.2%	3.1%winner
Fuel system	5.1%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	—winner	2.2%
Glass/Windows	—winner	33.0%
Airbags	4.8%	1.4%winner
Lighting	1.4%winner	2.5%
Seatbelt	2.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Subaru Crosstrek
Avg annual premium	$2,370	$1,968winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Jeep Grand Cherokee

$666/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Crosstrek

$492/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Grand Cherokee costs $666/year to maintain — $93 above the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 30% is below the class average of 40% — a relative positive. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at segment averages. Above-average cost for an average reliability profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →