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Jeep Wrangler vs Subaru Solterra

2026 Jeep Wrangler vs 2026 Subaru Solterra — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Jeep Wrangler

2026 Jeep Wrangler

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Subaru Solterra wins 4 of 6 categories
Subaru Solterra

2026 Subaru Solterra

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $2,550 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Solterra (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Solterra is the bigger car, about 24 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Solterra has had fewer recall campaigns (5 vs 67).

The two cars

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl and 6.4L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,000 lb (4xe / Sahara 4xe 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Subaru Solterra is a small SUV powered by electricity and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,365 lb.

Buying used? The 2017 Wrangler and the 2024 Solterra have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Wrangler and the 2023 Solterra.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
EV
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl
Engines
EV
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

21 MPG
Best combined MPG
–
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
–
–
EV range
288 mi
$3,200
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$650

Performance & space

285 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
233 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
160.2 in
Length
184.6 in
74 in
Width
73.2 in
73.6 in
Height
65 in
3,949 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,365 lb

Safety & reliability

5
Driver-assist features standard
12
3
Recalls (2026)
1
67
Recalls, all years since 2005
5
12
Owner complaints (latest year)
17

Interest

18,433
Wikipedia views, 30 days
10,960

Buying used

2017
Best used year
2024
2018
Year to avoid
2023

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Jeep Wrangler if…

  • You want more power (up to 285 vs 233 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (24 in shorter)

Choose the Subaru Solterra if…

  • You want an EV with more range (288 miles)
  • You want more room (24 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (5 vs 67 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Jeep Wrangler

  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 21 MPG combined, 19% below the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG.
  • Emergency braking not standardAutomatic emergency braking is optional or limited to some trims.

2026 Subaru Solterra

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Jeep Wrangler specs →Full 2026 Subaru Solterra specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →