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 19.9 mpg.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee L engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Jeep Grand Cherokee L ranges from 23 down to 17 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $589 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L burns a gallon every 19.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 609 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.162 |
| Fuel per year | $1,949 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,745 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$19 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,382 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L gives up 7.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.5 out there against 17.4 in town, a 41% drop worth $640 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 | 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
The Grand Cherokee L peaked in 2026 at 22 mpg (20 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2024 at 19 — 3 mpg apart, or $276 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 22. 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
This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L — 3 engines across 2021–2026. 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 $3,382. Full method.
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 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Grand Cherokee L 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 Grand Cherokee L is $3,382 against the $1,949 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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