2018 Jeep Cherokee vs 2018 Mazda CX-5
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2018 Jeep
Cherokee
4/10
Great ride and off-road chops on Trailhawk trims, undone by a 9-speed transmission and PTU/driveline that fail with alarming regularity.
VS
2018 Mazda
CX-5
6/10
Best-handling compact SUV of its generation, but budget for a possible engine-related surprise the accountants at Mazda clearly didn't.
Milo scores the 2018 Mazda CX-5 higher — 6/10 against 4/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Jeep Cherokee |
Mazda CX-5 |
| Known failure points | 6 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 681 | 116 |
| Safety recalls | 7 | 3 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 38 | 58 |
| Cheap to own | 35 | 55 |
| Fun factor | 58 | 78 |
| Holds value | 40 | 70 |
| Enthusiast cred | 32 | 45 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2018 Jeep Cherokee
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure on AWD models — howling noise progressing to total driveline failure, sometimes taking the transmission with it
$1,800–$6,00040k–90k mi
2018 Mazda CX-5
Cracked cylinder head (2.5L Skyactiv-G, non-turbo) causing oil leak, white smoke, burning smell
$3,500–$6,50060k–90k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2018 Jeep Cherokee
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk with the 3.2L Pentastar V6, confirmed completion of ALL recalls (especially the PTU and oil pump campaigns), and dealer service records showing a TCM software update.
✅ 2018 Mazda CX-5
2018 CX-5 Grand Touring with the 2.5L NA engine, low miles, full documented oil-change history, and — if you can find one — the later-production run (VIN indicating spring 2018 or later) which had running running engine software/build updates.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.