Jeep Gas Mileage Is Getting Better For 2010

My wife and I drive a 2002 Jeep Liberty, and a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee is the one we take out of town and has averaged 18.2 mpg over the last 4 1/2 years. The Liberty is just used in town and has averaged 17.8 during the same time period. We bought them just a week apart. That's not great mileage, but we are willing to give up a few miles per gallon for the convenience and reliability of our Jeeps. That being said, how has the gas mileage changed since ours were manufactured?

The 2010 Grand Cherokee pictured above comes with various engine options. The V6 has a respectable EPA rating of 16 city and 21 highway. Or you can go with a V8 with a Multi-Displacement System that shuts down cylinders when you do not actually need them. It comes with a rating of 13/19. Or you can get a big, powerful HEMI with a V8 that comes with an 11/16 EPA rating.

The 2010 Jeep Liberty pictured at the right comes only with a V6 and is rated at 16 city and 22 highway.

If you go with a larger Jeep model, the gas mileage understandably suffers a little, though not as much as one might expect. The 2010 Commander comes with two different engine options. A 6 cylinder is rated at 15/20 while the V8 is rated at 13/19.

The smaller Jeep Compass, one of Jeep's crossover models, is rated at 23/28 with a 5-speed manual transmission, or 21/25 with a 5-speed automatic. Another crossover, the Jeep Patriot comes the same ratings as the Compass with a 2L engine rated at 23/28 for 5-speed manual, or 21/25 with an automatic.

The Jeep Wrangler is equipped with a 6-cylinder only and both automatic and standard transmissions are rated at 15/19. The Wrangler Unlimited is rated for both transmissions at 15/20.

The EPA mileage estimates have come up some over the years. They are certainly not as good as some of the hybrids that are coming out, but then we are comparing apples and oranges. It would be difficult to go from a rugged Jeep with good cargo space and reliable 4-wheel drive when needed to a tiny hybrid, especially in our rough Nebraska winters. So, I'm sticking with my Jeeps, because when the terrain gets rugged or the weather gets nasty, I can go there!