What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Is the Jeep Wrangler expensive to maintain?

The Jeep Wrangler averages $694 a year in maintenance. That is $173 above the compact segment average of $521. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.25 times per year, below the compact segment at 0.3. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

What is the best year for a Jeep Wrangler?

The weakest years by those same measures are 2018 and 2021 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: no standout year — any of the stronger years is a reasonable buy.

How much does Jeep Wrangler insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Jeep Wrangler averages $1,984 a year, about $165 a month (industry average). That is less than the compact segment average of $2,056. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Wrangler?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 16%, so roughly 84 in 100 owners will not face one — above the compact segment norm of 11%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Wrangler

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Tucson — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Jeep Wrangler if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Tucson	Jeep Wrangler
Annual repairs	$426winner	$694
5-year repair cost	$2,130winner	$3,470
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$25,677	$21,803winner
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%winner	16%
Cargo space	80.3 cu ftwinner	72.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$31,300winner	$35,600

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Tucson	Jeep Wrangler
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	287.8winner	327.2
Strongest years	2010, 2011, 2021	2011, 2015, 2016
Weakest years	2016, 2017, 2024	2018, 2021, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	76.3%winner	75.1%
Value retained · 5 yr	57.7%	68%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	47.3%	56.7%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Tucson	Jeep Wrangler
Engine	49.3%	23.5%winner
Electrical	6.1%winner	11.4%
ADAS	10.9%	4.7%winner
Brakes	8.9%	5.8%winner
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	—winner	27.2%
Fuel system	2.8%winner	5.1%
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	1.8%
Airbags	1.4%winner	8.2%
Lighting	1.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Tucson	Jeep Wrangler
Avg annual premium	$1,975winner	$1,984

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Jeep Wrangler

$694/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →