The Jeep Cherokee does 21.2 mpg combined (19.0 city, 24.8 highway), which works out to about $1,811 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid does 37 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 17 — a difference of $1,221 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Jeep Cherokee engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. 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 | 21 / 29.8 | 2014–2023 | $1,548 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 20.3 / 28.7 | 2014–2022 | $1,648 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 17.9 / 22.4 | 1984–2000 | $1,959 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 15.5 / 20.9 | 1987–2001 | $2,182 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 15.3 / 19 | 1984–1986 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.151 |
| Fuel per year | $1,811 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,055 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$299 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,068 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.0 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.8 mpg | $1,548 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.8 mpg (31%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cherokee changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 1992 | 16.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1991 | 16 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 1990 | 16.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1989 | 16.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1988 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1987 | 20 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1986 | 19.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1985 | 20.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1984 | 17 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Jeep Cherokee get?
21.2 mpg combined on average — 19.0 in the city and 24.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Jeep Cherokee cost in fuel per year?
About $1,811 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,055 over five years, or 0.151 dollars a mile.
Which Cherokee engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid at 37 mpg, against 17 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,221 a year.
Is the Cherokee good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.