Everyone loves a vehicle that delivers good fuel efficiency—and yes, even the wealthy folks prefer a fuel-efficient car. However, finding the perfect vehicle that can combine robust power and fuel economy can be pretty challenging, especially when you’re eyeing a 4WD ride such as a Jeep.
But you have a reason to smile because Jeep has thought about it already, and it is now making some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles out there.
So, which is the most fuel-efficient Jeep?
Keep reading as we reveal the most fuel-efficient models from Jeep. Then, we will give you tips to improve your Jeep’s fuel economy. You won’t need to empty your pockets just to fuel these six Jeeps here.
The Most Fuel-Efficient Jeep: Why You Must Think About Fuel Efficiency
Before selecting the Jeep models that are most fuel-efficient, let us first understand the term. Basically, fuel efficiency is the ability of a vehicle to extract as much energy from fuel as possible.
The more energy that your Jeep can draw from fuel, the higher fuel efficiency it’s considered to have. So, why is it so important?
- A fuel-efficient vehicle uses less gas, so you have less impact on the environment
- Better fuel efficiency can help you cut down on running costs for your car
Which Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Jeep Model?
Let’s take a look at the top six Jeep models that offer the highest fuel efficiency. You can not go wrong with these models. However, you must make sure they are maintained in top condition.
Jeep Renegade
The new Jeep Renegade returns the highest fuel efficiency, getting an amazing 24 MPG on city roads and 32 MPG on highways. This means that the Renegade reaches the level of fuel efficiency achieved by most sedans.
Renegade, commonly referred to as the Compact SUV, stands out from other rival models as a car for adventure.
Because it is a 4×4, you get impressive control when navigating through tough terrain. Other important features of the Renegade that make it the go-to model include:
- Stylish cabin with roomy sitting space
- Sizeable cargo area
- Impressive infotainment system
- Plucky off-roader
- Good ground clearance
Jeep Compass
Trailing the Renegade closely is the Jeep Compass. It is an amazing car that will guarantee you 23 MPG and 32 MPG on city and highway, respectively. This is impressive news because it provides buyers another option to select from, especially if you’re thinking of something sleeker than the Renegade.
To make it fit your needs, the Compass is available in both 2WD and 4WD options. So, if you aim to mostly ride within the city where the roads are paved and you rarely venture off-road, the 2WD model will be an excellent pick. However, off-roaders should consider the 4WD model because it is more rugged and provides you with greater control to conquer rough terrain.
The car uses a 4-cylinder engine and comes with an optional 9-speed automatic transmission. If you opt for the 4-wheel drive model, it comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It also boasts terrain-conquering drive models that make it pretty enjoyable to drive off-road.
One particular Compass model that stands out from the pack is the Trailhawk, which further features a low crawler gear ratio and rock mode. Other features of the Compass include:
- A very attractive dashboard
- Driver assistance technology
- Aluminum block
Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a fascinating small SUV that comes with either a V6 engine or a turbocharged 4-cylinder model. Well, you will find this SUV fun to drive more than you would anticipate. In Particular, you will be impressed by its amazing fuel efficiency of 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, which places it above the 30 MPG cutoff that most people look for when buying a new car.
All in all, it can be considered as the perfect balance of features, size, and fuel efficiency for a standard-performance Jeep.
Rival models that are often mentioned alongside Jeep Cherokee are Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. However, Cherokee can be a solid pick because of its smooth ride, especially for an average commuter, plus the rugged chops for off-roaders.
In 2021, the Cherokee released five main trims, including the Limited, Latitude Lux, Latitude Plus, Latitude, and the Rugged Trailhawk. You might also come across other designations, such as High Altitude and Altitude, but these are mainly stylish packaging.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Next on our list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which gets a 19 MPG on city roads and 26 MPG on highways.
While MPG is fairly low compared to the models we have already looked at, it is still remarkable considering the large size of the car. This is a mid-size SUV with an upscale interior, comfy seats, and spacious legroom in both rows.
Grand Cherokee features a standard V6 engine, which provides enough power for everyday driving. However, you can also go for the V8 model for more muscle, especially for off-road driving.
Other features that will make you love this Jeep include:
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Impressive off-road capability
- Good ground clearance
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler is a classic vehicle that many people—especially those familiar with other older models—regard as “Jeep.”
Now, there are new models in the showroom, and they are even better, rocking awesome features that make it possible to conquer almost every terrain—ice, snow, rocks, creeks, and even fallen logs.
The latest Jeep Wrangler model gets 17 MPG on city roads and 25 MPG on the highway. Although this is no doubt on the lower end when talking about fuel efficiency, even for other larger models, it is a notable punch from the Wrangler.
If you check closely, it is only lately that Wranglers managed to get anywhere close to 21 MPG on the highway.
The impressive thing about Jeep is that their engineers never tire of improving the Wrangler, especially when it comes to the fuel economy. For example, if you want to go outdoors for off-road climbing and rock crawling, the Wrangler will be a perfect ride.
While we’re talking about the Wrangler, it is important we highlight one of them, the Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel model. This Jeep punches above the rest by delivering up to 22 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway. This is one of the reasons it has become the go-to model if you want the best of both sides.
It lets you enjoy the thrill of adventure without sacrificing fuel economy. The Wrangler’s other notable features include a spacious cargo area, an unrivaled off-road capability, and superior engine options.
If you’re considering buying a Jeep Wrangler, check out our guide on the best year for Wrangler.
Jeep Gladiator
Mention Jeep Gladiator and many people will tell you it is irresistible because it is a new model with awesome off-road capabilities.
Although the truck is new, a closer check reveals that it was there in the early 2000s before getting discontinued. Gladiator comes with a low fuel efficiency of 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway, which is pretty low compared to the others on the list. However, it found itself on the list because it is the only truck in the Jeep company’s lineup. For a truck this big, that fuel efficiency isn’t bad.
If you are looking forward to buying the Gladiator, don’t forget to consider the other unique benefits that come with truck designs. These include the ability to carry heavier, larger loads and equipment. So, whether you want to carry more when going out for a holiday or running personal errands, the Gladiator is one car that will never disappoint.
How to Improve Your Jeep’s Fuel Efficiency
Now that we have looked at the most fuel-efficient Jeeps, you might be wondering, “If I do not drive any of them, or the one I have is really thirsty on the road, is there anything that can be done?”
The answer is YES, and we are going to show you a few tips. You can even use the tips on other car models:
Clear Unnecessary Clutter
There are some items that you should always keep in your car, such as a toolbox and emergency kit. However, there are others that you should only keep when necessary.
Nipping off as little as 150 pounds can help to improve fuel efficiency by a huge margin. So, clear off the sports equipment, forgotten backpacks, and extra books and you will be amazed at how things play out.
As you clear the clutter inside the car, do not forget the outside. For example, the excess add-ons that can increase wind resistance are likely to pull down fuel efficiency. So, remove them too. Other attachments that you should consider removing are:
- Cargo boxes
- Roof racks
- Bike racks
For example, removing roof-mounted cargo boxes and real mounted boxes can help improve fuel efficiency by up to 17% and 5%, respectively when doing highway speed.
Go for a Manual Transmission Jeep
Although automatic transmission vehicles are fast catching up to the traditional manual transmission models, well, the manual design has some unique benefits.
The most notable of these is that they allow you to get a higher degree of control over your Jeep. So, how does this help to improve fuel efficiency? Instead of allowing your car to determine what it thinks should be happening, you override this. For example, you do not have to allow the car to accelerate at full speed which uses more fuel.
Limit Idling
You might have noted that most of the latest car models, including Jeeps, come fitted with a stop-start feature. The primary goal of this feature is to help the car save on fuel by shutting down automatically during idling. For example, if you are in a traffic jam and you press the brake pedal to stop the car, the engine stops. When you release the brake, the car starts automatically.
While the entire idea of the car stopping and restarting automatically sounds cool, it actually takes more fuel compared to starting. So, consider turning off the engine when stuck in a traffic jam or just stopping for a moment.
Keep Your Jeep’s Speed Steady and Within Legal Limits
One thing you need to appreciate about driving is that your vehicle tends to start losing fuel efficiency after hitting around 40-50 mph. The faster you drive, the poorer the fuel efficiency.
To improve the efficiency of the vehicle, it is advisable to stick to the recommended speed limit and utilize cruise controls where possible. Also, you need to avoid hard braking and rapid acceleration because they force the car to gallop more fuel.
Maintain Your Jeep in Top Condition All the Time
Dirty air filters, malfunctioning plugs, and damaged connections can all impact the efficiency of your Jeep. In fact, every part of your car’s system can damage the fuel efficiency if it malfunctions one way or another.
Therefore, aside from getting the most fuel-efficient Jeep, it’s important to ensure it is maintained in top condition all the time.
Make sure to follow the recommended maintenance schedule to have the motor oil, tire rotations, brakes, air filters, fuel pumps, and electrical system checked and repaired on time.
These are only a few of the things that you can do to try and improve your Jeep’s fuel efficiency. Other considerations that you might want to consider include increasing the tire pressure, planning your journey ahead, and turning off air conditioning.
Final Thoughts
Although Jeeps are known for their power and poor fuel efficiency, the models we have listed above stand out from the pack. They make it easy for you to drive for longer with less and have minimal impact on the environment.
Check the most preferred model and maintain it in top condition to enjoy higher efficiency. If you already have a Jeep, but the fuel economy is poor or want to improve it, the tips we have shared in this post will come in handy. Do not just select any Jeep… go for the most fuel-efficient model.
- Related: How Much Can a Jeep Liberty Tow?
