The Jeep Gladiator does 21.1 mpg combined (19.1 city, 24.6 highway), which works out to about $1,820 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 24 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $421 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Jeep Gladiator engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Jeep Gladiator ranges from 24 down to 19 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $421 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 22 / 28 | 2021–2023 | $1,600 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 17 / 22 | 2020–2026 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Jeep Gladiator burns a gallon every 21.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 569 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.152 |
| Fuel per year | $1,820 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,100 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$110 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,279 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Jeep Gladiator gives up 5.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.6 out there against 19.1 in town, a 29% drop worth $449 a year. 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 | 19.1 mpg | $2,010 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.6 mpg | $1,561 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the Gladiator changed over the years
The Gladiator peaked in 2023 at 24 mpg (22 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 19 — 5 mpg apart, or $421 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 19. 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 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2025 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2024 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2023 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2022 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2020 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Jeep Gladiator — 2 engines across 2020–2026. 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 $3,279. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Jeep Gladiator get?
21.1 mpg combined on average — 19.1 in the city and 24.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2020–2026.
How much does a Jeep Gladiator cost in fuel per year?
About $1,820 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,100 over five years, or 0.152 dollars a mile.
Which Gladiator engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 24 mpg, against 19 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $421 a year.
Is the Gladiator good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Gladiator figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Jeep Gladiator is $3,279 against the $1,820 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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