The 2020 Jeep Cherokee FWD with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine gets 25 MPG combined, a figure that’s in the middle of the compact SUV class. While not a class leader in fuel economy, many buyers accept this trade-off for the Cherokee’s styling, comfortable interior, and competent on-road handling. People often buy this vehicle more for its looks and overall capability than its fuel efficiency.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2020 Jeep Cherokee FWD 2.4L gets 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The lower city MPG is due to the engine working harder in stop-and-go traffic, especially with the nine-speed automatic transmission searching for the right gear. The 31 MPG highway figure is quite good. On long road trips, drivers can expect to approach that number when maintaining consistent speeds. Factors like aggressive acceleration, higher speeds, and headwinds will decrease highway MPG. The nine-speed automatic helps on the highway, letting the engine cruise at relatively low RPMs and saving fuel.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee FWD 2.4L is $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Remember that this is just an estimate. Your actual fuel costs could be higher or lower depending on how you drive, where you drive, and the price of gasoline in your area. Someone who drives mainly in congested city traffic will probably exceed the $1,750 estimate, while someone who does mostly highway driving might come in under that figure.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates provide a standard, but real-world fuel economy often differs. Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee FWD 2.4L often report numbers around the EPA estimates, with some seeing slightly lower figures in mixed driving. Factors like tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, and using accessories like air conditioning can all change fuel consumption. The Cherokee’s design and weight also affect gas mileage, as it isn’t the most aerodynamic vehicle in its class.

How it compares

In the competitive compact SUV class, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee FWD 2.4L’s fuel economy is average. The Honda CR-V LX FWD gets 28 MPG combined, showing a better fuel efficiency. The Toyota RAV4 LE FWD gets 30 MPG combined, they are more economical choices. However, some competitors, like certain Ford Escape trims with larger engines or all-wheel drive, can have combined MPG ratings in the low 20s. The Cherokee’s 25 MPG is a compromise. Buyers who want to save the most on gas might prefer the CR-V or RAV4. But, those who like the Jeep’s styling and some off-road capability in higher trims might accept the slightly lower fuel economy.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Maintain proper tire inflation. Check your tires often and inflate them to the pressure listed on the doorjamb sticker. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy. Proper tire inflation is an easy way to improve fuel efficiency.

Avoid aggressive driving. Accelerating and braking hard use more fuel. Drive smoothly and predict traffic to reduce unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. This is very important in city driving, where stop-and-go traffic can quickly deplete your fuel.

Reduce idling. Letting the engine idle for a long time wastes fuel. If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern engines don’t need long warm-up periods, so idling isn’t needed.

Use cruise control on the highway. Maintaining a consistent speed on the highway can improve fuel economy. Cruise control helps you avoid speed changes that waste fuel. Pay attention to traffic even when using cruise control.

Keep up with regular maintenance. A well-maintained vehicle is more efficient. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, including oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug replacements. This ensures your engine runs well. You can also research CHEROKEE MPG across all years to see how your car compares to other model years. Find all Jeep fuel economy data on our hub.