2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Wrangler has poor fuel economy, wind noise, an uncomfortable interior, and reliability scores near the bottom of Consumer Reports’ rankings. Despite those results, the Wrangler has been popular for decades. Next to endless options of aerodynamic compact SUVs, its boxy, military-inspired design makes it timeless and charming. It’s also especially capable off-road, and is available as a pickup truck. The Wrangler’s rugged appeal benefits the rest of Jeep’s lineup of small, medium, and large SUVs. The Cherokee and Wagoneer, despite their name’s historical appeal, usually score low on Consumer Reports’ customer satisfaction surveys. However, shoppers drawn to the Jeep name who are comfortable with sacrificing handling and fuel economy for three-row capacity can consider the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Low reliability scores across the brand make it difficult to recommend buying a used Jeep.

The 2014 freshening improved the Grand Cherokee's road-test score considerably. Better controls, improved fit and finish and a new eight-speed automatic transmission are among the highlights. The mid-range Limited model is a good choice, as it comes with a back-up camera and a power liftgate, along with heat for the leather seats and steering wheel. As for engine choice, we'd get the 3.6-liter V6. If towing is an issue, get the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, with its added fuel efficiency and torque. Safety features like antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control and stability control are all standard. Optional driver aids include a rear backup sensing system and camera, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic warning and collision avoidance systems.