Against 344 other Hybrid cars rated 2024–2026, the Cherokee beats their 28 mpg average by 9 mpg, about $333 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid (2026), does 37 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2.8L 6-cyl (1984–1986), 17: $1,221 a year apart.
Every Jeep Cherokee engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | 39 / 35 | 2026–2026 | $1,038 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 31 | 2019–2022 | $1,477 | |
| 2.1L 4-cyl | 24.3 / 27 | 1985–1987 | $1,494 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20 / 27.9 | 2003–2023 | $1,641 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 20.3 / 28.7 | 2014–2022 | $1,648 | |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 19 / 23.5 | 2005–2006 | $1,829 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 23 | 2008–2008 | $1,920 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 17.9 / 22.4 | 1984–2000 | $1,959 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 16 / 22 | 2011–2011 | $2,133 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 15.4 / 20.8 | 1987–2002 | $2,194 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 15.3 / 20.6 | 2003–2010 | $2,220 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 15.3 / 19 | 1984–1986 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Pathfinder gets 23 mpg, next to 37 mpg for the 2026 Cherokee. The Cherokee is the cheapest of them to run: $632 a year less than the Nissan Pathfinder.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.086 |
| Fuel per year | $1,038 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,190 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2024–2026 | −$333 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,278 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee does better in town than out of it: 39 in the city against 35 on the highway, $112 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 39 mpg | $985 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35 mpg | $1,097 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -4 mpg (-10%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Cherokee changed over the years
The Cherokee peaked in 2026 at 37 mpg (39 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2002 at 15.5 — 21.5 mpg apart, or $1,439 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 39 / 35 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2023 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2022 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2021 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2020 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2019 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2018 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2017 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2016 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2014 | 20 / 28 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2011 | 15 / 21 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2008 | 15.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 21 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16 / 21 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1997 | 16.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1996 | 16.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1995 | 16.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1994 | 16.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1993 | 16.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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How we count
This page rests on 74 EPA ratings of the Jeep Cherokee — 14 engines across 1984–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,278. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Jeep Cherokee get?
37 mpg combined, 39 city and 35 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Cherokee has averaged 20.3 mpg.
Which Cherokee year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 37 mpg combined (39 city, 35 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Cherokee get better gas mileage than the Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes: 37 mpg for the 2026 Cherokee against 23 for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder, about $632 a year less to run.
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