Without a doubt, one of the most recognized automakers in the United States and the rest of the world is Jeep. Especially nowadays, there is a huge market for compact, midsize and large SUV models. And these are exactly the type of vehicles that Jeep specializes in developing and assembling.

It’s no wonder that in recent months, Jeep has been enjoying impressive sales. In fact, according to the website Car Sales Base, the sales for all Jeep models has increased significantly month after month when compared to the company’s sales figures in previous years. At the same time, a report from CNBC has also revealed that Jeep has managed to sell as many as 27,829 of its Wrangler model during the month of March alone. That’s an impressive 70 percent increase in sales when compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, in 2017, it was also reported that Jeep had managed to sell more than one million vehicle units around the world.

As you can see, Jeep is doing incredibly well. After all, this car brand almost has a cult following in the country and throughout the rest of the world. In fact, there are several Jeep events that take place throughout the year where Jeep owners bring their ride and chat with each other.

Thinking of owning a Jeep yourself? Just keep in mind that there are a lot of possible reasons why this might not be the best car for you. To help you decide we’ve come up with reasons why you should give a hard pass and why you should consider reserving one right away.

20 Hard Pass: Lots Of Maintenance

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Just like with other car brands and car models, Jeep has also received a number of complaints over the years. What is concerning about this, however, is that you notice a startling trend instantly.

The complaints raised by car owners are mostly about problems with their Jeep involving parts of the car that should not break down easily while the unit was still relatively new. Others also claim that their Jeep would just “shutdown.”

According to one statement on Consumer Affairs, one car owner who drives a 2018 Jeep JL Rubicon stated, “The vehicle started shutting down, the electrical was going crazy, the 4x4 system started randomly to engage the 4x4 and disconnect the sway bar and engage the lockers. This is very dangerous while driving.

19 Hard Pass: There are more luxurious alternatives

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Even if you happen to be a Jeep lover, there is no denying that the Jeep is not exactly that most luxurious SUV out there. Sure, you can argue that it is not meant to be luxurious. After all, Jeep models tend to celebrate its rugged beauty. But what if we were to tell you that there is at least one SUV where you can enjoy both ruggedness and luxury at the same time.

You still think it’s impossible? Well, say hello to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. This SUV sports a rugged cubic body that is comparable to a Jeep Wrangler.

Inside though, you and your passengers would feel a bit more spoiled. After all, the 2018 G-Class readily boasts of comfortable leather heated front and rear seats as well as ventilated front seats. It also comes with helpful technological features such as Distance Pilot DISTRONIC cruise control and Parking Assist PARKTRONIC technology.

18 Hard Pass: Jeeps can be slow

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One of the most common complaints about Jeep models is that they tend to be slow. At the same time, some have even sighted that their Jeep unit tends to suffer from “sluggish acceleration.”

One Jeep owner complained about this on the website Jeep Cherokee Club saying, “I bought a 2018 Latitude in October 2017 and within the first 1000 miles, it developed the shimmy/wobble/shaking/whatever on acceleration. On light acceleration, the problem is the worst between 13-18mph, then goes away. On moderate or hard acceleration, you can feel it all the way up to 45-50mph, then goes away.”

The problem with a vehicle accelerating slowly is that it can be quite dangerous in certain driving situations such as when you are exiting the highway from an off-ramp and you would need to accelerate to be able to safely merge with the traffic.

17 Hard Pass: They are not the most fuel-efficient

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Especially if you are conscious of a car’s fuel consumption and keeping your fuel costs down, you may want to consider other alternative SUV models to a Jeep. That’s because Jeep doesn’t exactly have the most fuel-efficient SUVs around at the moment.

Just to give you an idea, the new 2019 Cherokee has an estimated rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

On the other hand, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that runs on a 3.6-liter V6 engine has an estimated rating of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway when using a manual transmission, according to CNET.

If you are looking for a non-hybrid SUV that is great with fuel efficiency. There are several others you can choose from in the market today. For instance, the Honda CR-V has an estimated rating of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway, according to Motor 1. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Equinox has an estimated rating of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 39 miles per gallon on the highway.

16 Hard Pass: Safety ratings could use some improvement

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Another problem major issue with Jeep vehicles is that they are not exactly the safest SUV models around today and could use a great deal of improvement.

In fact, a recent crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed some serious safety flaws on the part of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. According to the IIHS, “The Jeep Grand Cherokee had maximum intrusion of 10 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. More alarming was what happened to the passenger dummy's head. It hit the dashboard hard through the front airbag and then, because the side curtain airbag didn’t deploy and the door opened, it moved outside the vehicle during rebound. Measures from the dummy indicated that right leg injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity and a head injury would be possible.”

15 Hard Pass: They are too rugged for most lifestyles

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When you’re getting a Jeep, you know, without a doubt, that you will end up with something that is a bit more on the rugged side. This is great unless it’s not exactly the type of person that you are.

Sure, one can argue that you can take a Jeep model to just about anywhere. You can probably even drive up to a red carpet event with it. However, if you are going to show up all dressed up, is this really the image you want to portray? When you want to exude elegance, is a Jeep the first thing that comes to mind? We would say not.

14 Hard Pass: They can ride pretty rough

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One look at the Jeep and you know you would have a pretty rough ride inside. This is especially true when you choose models like the Wrangler, Wrangler JK, and Renegade. If you are going through rough terrain, a little discomfort can be understandable.

However, if you would just be driving around the city, not being able to sit inside a car comfortably can be quite bothersome. In fact, you might even end up with a serious backache after your ride.

If you think you are okay with this, then go ahead and get a Jeep. But if you are having second thoughts, step away right now.

13 Hard Pass: Jeeps can attract the wrong partner

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Just like other types of vehicles, a Jeep tends to attract a certain kind of girl or guy. We are talking about the adventurous type. These are the ones who like to go out to the great outdoors each week and explore the wild. These are the ones who never seem to be low on energy and who are willing to try just about anything at least once.

If this does not sound like your type of date, you might want to consider giving the Jeep a hard pass. After all, once you are spotted driving out with one, these people would assume that you are just like them.

12 Hard Pass: They can be too cramped for groups

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Sure, Jeep tends to have a lot of highly capable models that are readily available today. However, if you are looking for a vehicle with a lot more passenger space, a Jeep might end up leaving you disappointed.

At the most, the seating capacity of a Jeep model is five. That goes for the Wrangler, Wrangler JK, Renegade, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Compass.

If you happen to have a big family or you drive your son and his entire soccer team around, none of these models would work for you size wise. Instead, you are better off checking out large SUVs. On the other hand, you can also consider a minivan.

11 Hard Pass: There are other similar vehicles to consider

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In the market today, the simple truth is that there are a lot of other SUV models that is quite similar to current Jeep models. Hence, you don’t really have to go with a Jeep even if you want something rugged and capable.

For instance, if you are looking for something similar to the Jeep Wrangler, there are several 4x4 SUVs that can easily rival it. For starters, there is the equally iconic Ford Bronco which is scheduled to re-enter the market with a 2020 model very soon. At the same time, there is also the Toyota FJ Cruiser as well as the reliable Toyota 4Runner.

10 Reserve One: It's basically an SUV with removable doors and top

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When you want an SUV that is extremely perfect for the great outdoors, you certainly cannot do any better than a Jeep SUV.

This is especially true if you go from the Jeep Wrangler wherein you have the option of having the doors removed. Without a doubt, there is no other SUV that you can do this with.

On the other hand, you also have the option of driving away with a No Top Wrangler. All you have to do is specify this before you go to pick up your unit. Meanwhile, if you think you will need the top at some point, you also have the option of going for the Soft Top Wrangler or the Sky One-Touch Power Top Wrangler.

9 Reserve One: Jeeps can drive even in the worst weather

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Facing a strong typhoon in your area? Dealing with heavy rainfall? Got some snow on the roads? Lucky for you, a Jeep is capable of driving through just about any kind of weather. You’ll never get stuck anywhere because Jeep models are designed to always conquer the elements. This is especially true if you have a Wrangler.

As Jeep has explained, “True to its heritage, the 2018 Jeep­® Wrangler has the traction to handle some of the harshest, most unpredictable driving conditions.” When you’ve got a Jeep, practically nothing can stop you from getting from point A to point B when you absolutely need to. If you have the option to stay home though, consider not going out altogether to be extra safe.

8 Reserve One: There are a lot of features available

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One of the things that you would certainly appreciate about various Jeep models is that they can come with a lot of useful and helpful features.

For starters, there’s an available memory feature that would automatically adjust the exterior mirrors, power driver seat position and even radio stations to the configurations that you have preset. With just a touch of one button, all your preferred setting for these would be activated.

At the same time, Jeep models can also boast of a number of all-weather features that can help you deal with the hottest and coldest of climates. These include a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic temperature control as well as available heated and ventilated seats.

7 Reserve One: Jeeps lead to more friends

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Aside from being able to go on all sorts of adventures with a Jeep, any of the available Jeep models can also help you meet a whole lot more friends. This is because there are so many Jeep events that you can attend throughout the year where you can bring your Jeep and party with other happy and proud Jeep owners.

According to website Teraflex, some of the upcoming Jeep events for the year include the 10th Big Horn Mountains 2018, Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2018, 31st Ouray 2018, 26th Black Hills 2018, Off-Road Expo, 13th Annual Quadratec Tent Show, Trail Hero, 20th Moab 2018 and SEMA.

6 Reserve One: There are a lot of models to choose from

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No matter what your daily lifestyle is like, there is probably a Jeep model that is just right for you.

If you are more of the rugged type and you truly enjoy going out in the wild and driving through-off roads, then a Wrangler or Wrangler JK would be the best Jeep for you.

On the other hand, if you happen to have a small family and you need something that you can use to take kids to school and then drive off to work, then you can go with the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee or Compass. Meanwhile, if you are young and you like to go on both city and wilderness adventures, then you might want to consider driving away with a Renegade.

5 Reserve One: They're pretty affordable

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If you happen to be on a rather tight budget and you are determined to get a brand-new SUV, considering a Jeep model might be a good idea. After all, it has a number of relatively affordable vehicles that you can choose from.

Just to give you a better idea, The Renegade has a relatively low starting price of $18,445. Meanwhile, the Compass is available with a starting price of $21,095. Furthermore, you can get own the All-New Wrangler for a starting price of $27,495. On the other hand, if you have the budget to splurge a bit more, you can get the Grand Cherokee which has a starting price of $30,895.

4 Reserve One: They're greaty for starting a mod project

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If you are the type of car owner who likes to do all sorts of personalization projects to your vehicle, then a Jeep is certainly one of the best choices for you. With a Jeep, you can be assured that you would always have an ongoing project in your garage. It’s something that you can look forward to doing on weekends when you are just trying to chill out and relax.

On the Wrangler alone, there is a lot you can do. For starters, you can decide to install a winch in the back.

This way, if you were out on a trip with your friends and one of your vehicles got stuck, you can easily use your winch to pull them out. At the same time, you can also consider getting a lift kit for your Wrangler to increase its ground clearance. This is highly recommended if you have plans to go off-roading soon.

3 Reserve One: They have good towing capacity

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If you are the type who likes to take weekend trips and bring some of your gear along, then a Jeep vehicle is certainly the one for you. After all, a lot of these models tend to boast of good towing capabilities.

Just to give you an idea, the 2019 Cherokee has a towing capacity of as much as 2,000 pounds when it is running on a 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 2 engine and using a nine-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, that capacity goes up all the way to 4,500 pounds when you opt for the variant using a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Indeed, that is more than enough to tow a boat or a trailer along.

2 Reserve One: They are capable on just about any terrain

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One of the top selling points of any Jeep model is that it is “Trail Rated Tough.” As Jeep has said, this would mean that its vehicle has the “ability to perform well under various off-road conditions. It carries on the Jeep Brand tradition of having legendary traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording abilities.”

Aside from this, Jeep has also come up with the Jeep Selec-Terrain Traction Management System for its vehicles. According to the automaker, this system readily gives you “the power and capability to handle almost anything Mother Nature sends your way.”

That is largely thanks to five available driving modes, namely the Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, Sport modes as well as the available Rock mode.

1 Reserve One: They’ve got some powerful engines

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When you are looking for an SUV with true power and capability, you can be assured that you can’t go wrong with a Jeep model. That’s because their vehicles are designed to perform and even tackle on the toughest of terrains.

Just to give you an idea, the 2018 Wrangler comes with two impressive engine choices. The first is a 2-liter turbo engine that can readily deliver 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, the other engine choice is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. This one can deliver as much as 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Now, that’s pretty impressive.

Sources: carsalesbase.com, cnbc.com, consumeraffairs.com, iihs.org, jeep.com, mbusa.com, jeepcherokeeclub.com