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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $30,657–$39,808 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.9/10, while Performance at 7.1/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.9/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,657–$39,808, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Jeep Wrangler sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.6/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Jeep Wrangler sits in the middle of the field. 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 2021 Jeep Wrangler ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,657 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 15%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Jeep Wrangler scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.1 — 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 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $30,657 | |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $29,647 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $28,636 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $27,625 | Read review → |
| 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.
| Power train / Clutch assembly 28/01/2021 · 21V028000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture. |
|---|---|
| Back over prevention / Display function 25/08/2022 · 22V638000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal… |
| Seat belts / Pretensioner 13/10/2022 · 22V766000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator, and 2021 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front seat belt retractors may have an improperly welded micro gas generator, which can result in seat belt pretensioner failure. |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 13/10/2022 · 22V767000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall. |
| Engine 23/11/2022 · 22V865000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles equipped with 2.0L Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle engines. A loss of communication may cause an engine shutdown. |
Showing 5 of 15 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2021 Jeep Wrangler's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
15 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 7.1/10 overall, ranking #1814 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 26% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler starts at $30,657 and ranges up to $39,808 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Jeep models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.