Ford vs Jeep: Which Is More Reliable?
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Ford and Jeep are amazing car brands, known for their strengths in producing vehicles that are good at handling off-road conditions.
But you may be wondering, do Jeeps have good reliability? Between Jeep and Ford, which has better reliability?
It's a hard call between Ford and Jeep, but our experts did some digging and came to the conclusion that Ford is more reliable than Jeep. You'll get higher safety ratings, lower prices, and more resale value with Ford cars. But Jeep offers cheaper repair and maintenance costs and better off-road performance.
Here's all you need to know about the Ford vs. Jeep Reliability comparison.
Key Takeaways
- Ford is generally more reliable than Jeep due to the higher safety ratings, lower prices, and better resale value
- Jeep is more durable and rugged than Ford, making it a better off-road option for adventurers
- Both Jeep and Ford have a 3.5/5 reliability rating on RepairPal
Table of Contents
A Detailed Comparison
| Features | Ford | Jeep |
| Design | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Engine and Performance | ||
| Safety | ||
| Durability | ||
| Technology | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost |
Which Is Better?
Regarding the reliability of Ford and Jeep, Ford is better than Jeep. The margin is slightly different across both brands, with the brands winning in different categories.
The differences between both brands vary according to their respective models. According to RepairPal, Jeep has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 15th out of 32 car brands. This is compared to Ford, which ranks 3.5/5.0, ranking 21st out of 32 car brands.
Unfortunately, Ford beats Jeep on the 2022 JD Power dependability survey. While Ford beats Jeep with higher safety ratings, Jeep wins with cheaper repair and maintenance costs.
The warranty coverage is similar on both car brands, other Ford offers more interior space and a larger variety of cars, but Jeep has more durability standards. Both brands have a good way of balancing off-road driving capacity and daily driving needs, but Ford offers better gas mileage.
Although the appeal for adventure is great on both brands, the design philosophies differ. The differences in horsepower vary on different models and trim levels of both car brands.
You can get more horsepower on a Jeep Wrangler compared to a Ford Bronco, but the Ford Explorer will get a higher hand than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Both Ford and Jeep cars are known for longevity, ability to withstand heavy use, ruggedness, and handling off-road needs. Jeeps are specifically great for adventure-seekers and those who enjoy taking their vehicles off the beaten path.
However, because of their focus on off-road capabilities, they are less reliable than Ford vehicles regarding on-road performance. Your choice between these cars depends on your needs and preferences.
Design
While both companies have a rich history of creating innovative and reliable vehicles, their design philosophies are different.
Ford is primarily known for producing sedans, SUVs, and trucks, while Jeep is known for producing SUVs and off-road vehicles.
The Ford brand uses sleek lines and aerodynamic shapes, which help improve fuel efficiency and performance, while Jeep has a more rugged design.
Jeep vehicles are designed for tackling off-road terrain, adopting a boxy shape, high clearance, and large tires. This includes featuring a distinctive seven-slot grille, which is a hallmark of the brand.
Both Ford and Jeep adopt the use of aluminum, high-strength steel, and heavy-duty plastics. The major difference in the design of Ford and Jeep is in their usability.
Jeep cars are specifically built for off-road designs, while Ford can feature in both pavement and off-road scenarios with better fuel efficiency.
Another peculiar difference in the design of Ford and Jeep cars is the availability of space. Ford takes the lead with the introduction of three-row seating in its cars.
Jeep doesn't have that much space. If you need an SUV for the family, then you can choose from the Ford lineup, but Jeep has better cars for desert rides.
Winner: Both
Safety and Technology
When it comes to the reliability of Ford Vs Jeep's safety, Ford is better. Ford has way higher safety ratings than Jeeps. The Jeep Compass is the only Jeep car that earns the 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award. This is unlike Ford, which has seven cars on the 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) award.
Both Ford and Jeep vehicles are equipped with a variety of safety features, such as airbags, stability control, and automatic emergency braking. However, Ford takes the lead in the introduction of advanced safety features.
Ford introduced the driver assist technology, Co-Pilot 360, which features a Blind Spot Information System, Blue Cruise, Lane Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Evasive Steering Assist, etc.
In the bid to present a full off-road car, Jeep doesn't integrate enough safety features to secure users.
One of the major safety fears of Jeep vehicles is their ease of rolling over. There are lots of limitations surrounding Jeep vehicles, like loss of control, flipping, wheel and wheelbase designs, higher center of gravity, and lots more.
With a driver who doesn't understand the limitations of a Jeep, there are great chances that accidents will happen. The increase in ground clearance and center of gravity increases the chances of rollover crashes.
Winner: Ford
Gas Mileage
It's quite tricky comparing the gas mileage of Ford and Jeep. This is because both car brands have cars that perform better than each other in different categories. For instance, the Ford F-150 gets an estimated gas mileage of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
This varies depending on the engine that you choose. On the other hand, the Jeep Wrangler gets an estimated 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. Switching models, the Ford Explorer returns 21/28 MPG, while Jeep Grand Cherokee returns 19/26 MPG for city and highway rides.
Both brands have models with hybrid systems, but Ford takes the lead with better fuel efficiency.
Winner: Ford
Repair and Maintenance Cost
When it comes to maintenance and repairs, there are varying reports on the average repair and maintenance cost for both brands.
RepairPal says it is cheaper to maintain a Jeep than a Ford. Jeeps get an annual average repair cost of $634, with a 0.3 chance of visiting the repair shop and a 13% chance of severe repairs.
Ford gets $775 in annual repairs, 0.3 visits to repair shops, and a 15% chance of severe damages. However, we believe Jeeps are a bit more expensive to maintain than Ford vehicles.
This is due to the brand's focus on off-road capabilities, which can add complexity and cost to maintenance and repairs. Jeep's parts and accessories are less widely available than Ford's, which can also drive up maintenance costs.
Winner: Both
Engine and Performance
In the category of engine and performance, Ford wins over Jeep. This might sound surprising because Jeep is an off-road brand that should deliver more power for daring drives.
Ford offers a wide range of engines for their vehicles, including V6 and V8 options. The Ford F-150, for example, offers a variety of engine options, including a 3.5L V6, a 2.7L V6, a 5.0L V8, and lots more.
On the other hand, Jeep is known for its off-road capabilities, and many of its vehicles are equipped with a V6 or V8 engine and a 4-wheel drive system.
The Jeep Wrangler, for example, comes standard with a 3.6L V6 engine and a 4-wheel drive system.
The differences in the engines of Ford and Jeep cars go beyond their brand representation. Ford has some models with better engines than Jeep, and vice versa. For instance, the Ford F-150 gets up to 450 HP, compared to the Jeep Wrangler, which returns 470 HP.
With the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you'll get 293 HP. Ford Explorer beats it with 300 to 400 HP. The 4x4 system on Jeep vehicles gives it an advantage of great traction, but you'll get more cars with higher power from Ford. Ford integrates a Traction control system in its cars.
Winner: Ford
Ford vs. Jeep: Popular Models
Here's a side-by-side comparison of some of the most popular Ford and Jeep models.
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer
Average Annual Repair Cost
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: $666
- Ford Explorer: $732
Overall Reliability Rating
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3.5/5
- Ford Explorer: 3.5/5
Frequency of Annual Repair Visits
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 0.3
- Ford Explorer: 0.24
Winner: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler Vs. Ford Escape
Average Annual Repair Cost
- Jeep Wrangler: $694
- Ford Escape: $600
Overall Reliability Rating
- Jeep Wrangler: 3.5/5
- Ford Escape 4/5
Frequency of Annual Repair Visits
- Jeep Wrangler: 0.25
- Ford Bronco: 0.31
Winner: Ford Escape
Conclusion
In summary, Ford and Jeep are both reliable car manufacturers, each with unique features and capabilities. Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeeps with better gas mileage, advanced technology, and safety features.
Jeep is a good choice if you need off-road capabilities and a rugged design. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
