You’re smart if you’re looking past the MSRP and are equally concerned with a vehicle’s maintenance costs. Jeep maintenance is relatively low when compared to the average SUV maintenance cost. Your Jeep should cost around $638 a year on average, while car maintenance as a whole costs around $792 per year. When you search for used Jeeps for sale, you’ll also quickly notice that these models hold their value nicely as well. So, not only is their maintenance cost about average but Jeeps are also known for their longevity. Due to this, you can see your Jeep’s maintenance cost as a long-term investment.
Of course, costs will vary depending on a variety of factors. Which Jeep are you buying? What year model is it? How many miles are already on your used Jeep when you purchase it? While we can’t promise that your Jeep’s maintenance costs will cap at exactly $638 a year, we can say that Jeeps have a high quality and reliability rating (according to JD Power), and their resale value is excellent, especially when compared to other SUVs in the same class. Let’s take a closer look at both ownership and maintenance costs that you’ll need to consider if you want to buy a used Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, or Renegade.
Costs Associated With Owning a Used Jeep Wrangler
If you’re looking for a used Jeep Wrangler, you’ll probably want a JK or a JL, unless you want something really old to fix up or take off-roading. The JK generation covers Jeeps between 2007 and 2017, while JK models span from 2018 and on. Before we hop into general maintenance, let’s look at some average monthly prices for JK and JL Wrangler models.
Monthly Payment Prices
An older 2010 JK Wrangler’s average price lands at around $15,050, according to Kelly Blue Book (KBB). This will, of course, depend upon mileage, trim level, and general condition. The average interest rate for used vehicles is around 8%, with an average 5-year term. At this rate, a 2010 Jeep Wrangler will cost roughly $300 a month. That said, if you have a good or excellent credit score rating, your interest rate could be less than 8%, making these payments even smaller.
If you’re more interested in buying a used JL Wrangler, you’ll probably want to look at the 2018 model. This is the most affordable JL Wrangler option, but it’s still almost double the price of the 2010 JL model with a $30,300 average MSRP. At an 8% interest rate for 5 years, the 2018 JL Wrangler costs roughly $614 per month.
Insuring a Jeep Wrangler
Insuring your Wrangler is quite affordable, with the average monthly insurance cost landing at around $105 for newer used models. Annually, Wrangler drivers spend about $1,146. This cost will vary depending on whether you pay monthly, every 3 months, or every 6 months, as there are typically discounts for paying ahead. Older Wrangler models are usually even cheaper to insure.
Routine Maintenance
Other costs associated with Jeep Wranglers include oil changes, tire changes and rotations, and brakes. According to KBB, Wrangler oil changes cost anywhere between $65 and $89. A tire rotation shouldn’t cost any more than it would on any other model, averaging at $120 per visit. Tire costs vary depending on how you’re using your Wrangler. If you’re off-roading and you need mud tires, you’ll be paying more than if you choose all-terrain tires. No matter how you’re using your Wrangler, it’s a good idea to at least get all-terrain tires.
Jeep does provide some helpful maintenance perks like the Jeep Wave Program. If you’re part of Jeep Wave, you’ll get free oil changes and tire rotations. You can manually enroll in this program if your Wrangler is a 2015 and up. Most 2020+ models come with Jeep Wave at no additional cost.
How About the Grand Cherokee or the Renegade?
Not the off-roading type? If you’re looking for a more family-friendly Jeep model, you’ll want to check into the Grand Cherokee. The 4th-generation Grand Cherokee is your best bet, spanning from 2011 to 2020. The Jeep Renegade is a newer model that first began in 2015 and is still in its first generation.
Monthly Payment Prices
Let’s say you choose the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This model has an average $21,130 price tag. This greatly depends on the trim level, though, since the Grand Cherokee offers some high-level trims, especially as you climb the model year line and find trims like the Trackhawk. A 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee at an 8% interest rate for a 5-year period costs around $428 a month.
Now, let’s take a look at the Renegade. This is definitely your most affordable Jeep option. A 2017 Jeep Renegade costs around $18,937. At an 8% interest rate for 5 years, the Renegade costs roughly $383 per month.
Insuring the Grand Cherokee or Renegade
The Grand Cherokee costs a bit more to insure than the Wrangler, with an average monthly insurance cost of $118, and an annual $1,414 average, according to Car and Driver. Despite its lower MSRP, the Renegade is more expensive to insure than the Wrangler or the Grand Cherokee. A Renegade’s average monthly insurance costs are around $126 per month, with an annual $1,508 cost. Keep in mind that just like the Wrangler, the older model years will likely be cheaper to insure.
Routine Maintenance
Just like the Wrangler, KBB states that the Grand Cherokee’s oil change price averages between $65 and $89. The Renegade costs more, though, at $75 to 102 for an oil change. That said, you likely won’t need mud tires on either of these models, meaning that your tire costs are much lower. Just like the Wrangler, your tire rotation costs should be, on average, $120.
Off-Roading Costs
Technically speaking, a Jeep Wrangler may cost more to maintain than the average SUV if you’re taking it off-roading. This is because of how off-roading can damage your Wrangler and how it also causes early wear and tear on your tires, brakes, and rotors. Those who plan to hit the trails will need to budget some extra maintenance money. For example, brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 miles and 80,000 miles on average, but if you’re participating in any hardcore off-roading, you’ll want to keep an eye on them with each maintenance visit. The same goes for your rotors, which can last as long as 70,000 miles but can fail early if you’re adding extra stress on them. Trail drivers should check their rotors more frequently.
Lastly, keep in mind that you may go through tires more quickly if you’re a trail driver. Whether you pop a tire on rock, or you simply wear your tires down faster due to rough terrain, it’s good to factor in costs for a few additional spare tires. However, if you’re just driving your Wrangler for the aesthetic and have no plans to go off-roading, you don’t have to worry about these additional maintenance costs.
Which Jeep Is Most Affordable?
It’s hard to say which Jeep model is most affordable overall. You have to factor in trim levels, model years, drive styles, and much more. If we’re talking about MSRP, the Renegade is more affordable upfront, but its average maintenance costs are more than the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee’s are. Regardless, the only time that Jeep maintenance becomes more costly is when you throw off-roading into the picture, which is to be expected. Overall, Jeeps are relatively affordable to maintain, and their long-lasting value makes them worth every penny.
