The Gas Mileage on a Jeep Wrangler [Everything Explained]

You acquire a Jeep Wrangler for its ability to tear up the trail in addition to its rugged good looks. You buy it because you enjoy how it feels on sunny days when the top is down. You don’t buy it because of its low fuel consumption.

The prices at the gas station might be a significant drawback, which can cause you to have second thoughts about driving your beloved SUV. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the gas mileage of your Wrangler, as well as some helpful hints on how to save money on fuel, and we will compare Wranglers to other vehicles with comparable features.

What Does Gas Mileage Mean?

The term “gas mileage” refers to how far a car can go on a given amount of fuel. Miles Per Gallon (MPG) is the distance that can be traveled by a vehicle while consuming one gallon of fuel. This is how we measure it. The more miles per gallon (MPG) a car gets, the more fuel-efficient it operates and the less you will spend driving it.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies MPG as falling into the following subcategories: Highway MPG, which refers to the average number of miles driven while traveling at higher speeds on an open highway; City MPG, which describes the average number of miles driven while traveling in stop-and-go city traffic; and EPA Combined City/Hwy MPG (which averages Highway and City ratings). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also monitors the energy used by electric and hybrid vehicles. It calculates equivalent MPG, which enables drivers to compare vehicles that utilize a variety of fuel types.

What Is the Average Gas Mileage of Jeep Wranglers?

The Jeep Wrangler gets decent gas mileage for an off-road driving SUV. The four-door automatic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport achieves 19 miles per gallon in the city, 24 miles per gallon on the highway, and 21 miles per gallon combined, as stated on the website www.fueleconomy.gov.

This is possible with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque with automated stop/start functionality. By changing to an eTorque mild-hybrid system, you can enhance your gas mileage for less than you would normally spend.

If you choose to purchase a Wrangler with two doors instead of four, your fuel economy in the city will improve by one mile per gallon. You can also select a vehicle with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination would yield you 22 miles per gallon on the highway.

Upgrade to the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine if you do a lot of driving on the highway. This engine has 260 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque, and automatic transmission. It gets 22/29/25 miles per gallon in the city, highways, and combined driving.

The Wrangler that gets the best-combined gas and electric mileage is the 4xe, which is Jeep’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. It has an all-electric range of 21 miles and gets 49 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). The Rubicon 392 is the worst because its powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This beast of a vehicle is rated at 13 miles per gallon in the city, 17 miles per gallon on the highway, and 14 miles per gallon combined.

The Wrangler’s scores might not seem particularly great at first glance compared to other SUVs on the market.

The new Ford Bronco Four-Door Outer Banks achieves a rating of 21/20/22 miles per gallon, while the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer achieves a rating of 22/29/25 miles per gallon, and the 2021 Toyota Four Runner achieves a rating of 16/19/17 miles per gallon. Consequently, the Jeep Wrangler performs admirably despite the fact that it is not the model with the best fuel economy among its competitors.

Factors affecting the Jeep Wrangler’s Gas Mileage

The iconic style and rugged, go-anywhere structure of the Jeep Wrangler contribute to the vehicle’s relatively poor fuel economy, which is a cruel twist of fate considering how popular these vehicles are. It has a slick exterior, but it is boxy, which increases the wind resistance around its body and makes it less aerodynamically efficient. This has a negative impact on the vehicle’s overall fuel economy in real-world situations, particularly its gas mileage on the highway.

The steel-framed Wrangler is a large vehicle weighing an average of 4,167 pounds for a 2022 Sport Unlimited model. This allows the vehicle to conquer any terrain. This mass makes the vehicle safer and more stable but more expensive to propel.

Tips For Improving Jeep Wrangler’s Gas Mileage

• Get a Wrangler equipped with an eight-speed four-cylinder engine. It will have a lower gear ratio and spin at a greater RPM than a six-cylinder engine. You’ll lose torque but save money on gas.
• Maintain automatic. Manual transmissions used to be significantly more fuel efficient than automatic transmissions, but technology has advanced. The 2021 Wrangler gets 19 MPG with a six-speed manual transmission and 20 MPG with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
• Plastic flares are lighter than aluminum or steel flares; use plastic flares for less weight.
• Always keep your tires properly inflated. Letting air out of your tires to better crawl over pebbles or cross deep snow increases rolling resistance.
• Change the hood latches. If you have a defective latch, it may cause your hood to flutter.
• Adjust the gear of your Jeep. A lower gear, especially with larger tires, allows for higher speeds and improved fuel efficiency.
• Set up a Cold Air Intake System. Cold air intakes can boost engine performance and fuel economy by 1-2 MPG.
• Maintain the Factory Rake. The front end of the Wrangler is slightly lower than the rear end; even if you install a lift kit, attempt to maintain this incline for aerodynamics.
• Avoid modifications that add drag, such as a bulky roof rack or light bar.

How to Make your Fuel Last Longer

• Don’t waste time idling. The start/stop button is your best friend.
• Don’t turn on your air conditioner. When you’re not on the road, try cracking your windows.
• Take care of your engine. Ensure your Wrangler has decent spark plugs and a clean air filter, so it doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Don’t add excessive weight to your Jeep. Are 35-inch tires or the spare on the back really necessary if you’re mostly commuting?
• Consider obtaining a utility trailer if you pack up your Jeep for camping trips. The lighter weight on your wheels will minimize your fuel usage.
• Don’t drive too fast. Make use of the Cruise Control.
• Avoid rapid acceleration and braking. 55 mph is the most fuel-efficient speed.

How to Extend Your Gas Mileage

You can save money on fuel by upgrading to a Wrangler 4xe, an eTorque mild-hybrid system, or a turbocharged diesel engine. All three of these options are available. Altering the gear ratios of your Jeep or fitting it with a cold air intake will result in improved fuel economy (not to mention more power). Anything that lessens the Wrangler’s wind resistance or overall weight will also help the gas tank last longer. Switching to a fuel with a higher-octane rating will also help with fuel efficiency. The best approach to extending your gas mileage is to change your driving habits. Try to minimize rapid acceleration and braking, as well as idling the engine for longer than necessary.

Add-Ons with the most impact on Gas Mileage

Installing all the amazing mods on a Wrangler is one of its best features. However, some of these extras will raise the cost of your gas. A raise kit, the most alluring modification, has an obvious drawback. Your Wrangler’s front end is set lower than its rear end at the factory. The aerodynamics will suffer when you lift or level your Wrangler with a body lift or suspension lift, which will lower fuel efficiency. Winches, bumpers, light bars, flares, and bigger tires are other modifications that increase drag and weight. All of these modifications decrease your gas mileage but boost your Wrangler’s off-roading capability, which is a fair exchange, in my opinion.

What Tops help Fuel Economy?

A hard top is your best bet if you want to save fuel. It is heavier than a soft top but produces less drag and is more aerodynamic. Furthermore, if you drive in the winter, the hard top is better insulated, which means you won’t have to blast the heat as much, further improving fuel economy.

Tweak Your Driving Style to Improve Gas Mileage

A few tweaks can make that gas tank last a little longer. First and foremost, relax: aggressive driving and quick stopping reduce fuel economy. Second, it’s best to maintain consistent speeds, especially on the highway, so use cruise control. Third, what’s the rush? While interstate driving saves gas, there is a limit: any speed above 55 mph reduces efficiency. Finally, take a couple steps forward. If you know you need to exit shortly, change lanes sooner. Less hurried decision-making results in less gas-guzzling braking and acceleration.