The Jeep Grand Cherokee L does 19.7 mpg combined (17.4 city, 24.5 highway), which works out to about $1,949 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 23 mpg while 5.7L 8-cyl does 17 — a difference of $589 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 21 / 26 | 2026–2026 | $1,670 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 19 / 26 | 2021–2026 | $1,829 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 14 / 22 | 2021–2024 | $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 | $0.162 |
| Fuel per year | $1,949 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,745 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$10 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,382 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 | 17.4 mpg | $2,207 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.5 mpg | $1,567 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Grand Cherokee L 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 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2024 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2023 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2022 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2021 | 16.5 / 24 | 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 Grand Cherokee L get?
19.7 mpg combined on average — 17.4 in the city and 24.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2021–2026.
How much does a Jeep Grand Cherokee L cost in fuel per year?
About $1,949 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,745 over five years, or 0.162 dollars a mile.
Which Grand Cherokee L engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 23 mpg, against 17 for the 5.7L 8-cyl — a difference of about $589 a year.
Is the Grand Cherokee L good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 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.