15 MPG combined is the fuel economy you can expect when driving a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD, a vehicle that favors raw power and aggressive looks over saving gas. It’s not really a family car; it’s a high-performance SUV made for those who want to handle both the road and the occasional track day. The gas consumption is a known factor, something you accept for the exciting performance of its large 6.4-liter V8.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the 2015 Grand Cherokee SRT8 are 13 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. The low city MPG shows how much fuel the engine uses when you stop and go, where its weight and powerful engine need more energy to speed up. The highway number is a little better, but still not great, because the wind resistance and keeping up fast speeds still require a lot of gas. These numbers show what the SRT8 is all about: performance. If saving gas was a big deal, buyers would look somewhere else.

Annual fuel cost

According to the EPA, the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD is $3,850. This is based on driving 15,000 miles a year, with about 55% in the city and 45% on the highway, using average national gas prices. That’s a lot of money, which puts this vehicle on the high end for fuel costs. Owners thinking about a used SRT8 should keep this ongoing cost in mind.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA gives a baseline, what you actually get will change based on how you drive and the conditions. Speeding up fast, braking hard often, and sitting still and idling a lot will all lower your fuel economy. But, speeding up gently, keeping a steady speed, and not idling as much can help you get closer to the EPA numbers. Most SRT8 drivers probably are not trying to save fuel. This vehicle is appealing because of its performance, and having that performance often means using more gas. Check out GRAND MPG across all years.

How it compares

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is in a small group of high-performance SUVs. To see where its fuel economy fits in, here are some similar vehicles. The BMW X5 M, which also focuses on power, gets about 16 MPG combined. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged, another luxury performance SUV, also gets around 16 MPG combined. These numbers show that the SRT8’s fuel use is normal for vehicles with this kind of performance, and for more information, see all Jeep fuel economy data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Even though the SRT8 is made for performance, there are ways owners can use to get better fuel economy (even if saving money isn’t why you buy this vehicle.) Try to avoid speeding up fast and braking hard. The 6.4-liter V8 responds quickly, but pushing the gas pedal too much just wastes fuel.

Keep your tires inflated. Tires with low air pressure increase resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressures often and inflate them to what’s listed on the driver’s side door.

Avoid idling too much. Letting the engine idle for a long time uses fuel without going anywhere. If you’re going to be still for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine.

On the highway, use cruise control. Keeping a steady speed helps save fuel. Cruise control can stop you from speeding up and slowing down without meaning to, which wastes fuel.