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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $27,625–$34,844 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Technology at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.7/10. The Wrangler nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.3/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $27,625–$34,844, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Jeep Wrangler sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Jeep Wrangler sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,625 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 23%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Jeep Wrangler scores 6.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.0 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $34,700 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $34,700 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $33,690 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $32,679 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $31,668 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $30,657 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $29,647 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $28,636 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $27,625 | |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $26,615 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $25,604 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.7/10 | $24,593 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts / Front / Anchorage 26/09/2019 · 19V680000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame. |
|---|---|
| Structure / Frame and members 28/09/2018 · 18V675000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability. |
| Structure / Frame and members 12/04/2018 · 18V231000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose. |
| Latches/locks/linkages / Doors / Latch 08/11/2018 · 18V786000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly. |
| Power train / Automatic transmission 01/05/2018 · 18V280000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission. |
Showing 5 of 14 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2018 Jeep Wrangler's reliability 8.7/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
14 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler starts at $27,625 and ranges up to $34,844 across trims (MSRP when new). At 14 MPG, expect roughly $3,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Jeep models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
