Ford Bronco vs Jeep Gladiator: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Bronco is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $3,330 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Bronco, 20 MPG combined), against $3,450 for the Jeep Gladiator (Gladiator, 19 MPG combined). That is $120 a year, or $600 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Ford Bronco
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Bronco
$22.20 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
9 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Standard pickups
Jeep Gladiator
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Gladiator
$23.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
1 configuration in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford Bronco$3,330 a year · $22.20 per 100 mi
- Jeep Gladiator$3,450 a year · $23.00 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$120
Ford Bronco costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$600
$120 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford Bronco | Jeep Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Bronco | Gladiator |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 20 MPG (better) | 19 MPG |
| City rating | 18 MPG (better) | 17 MPG |
| Highway rating | 22 MPG | 22 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,330/yr (better) | $3,450/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $22.20 (better) | $23.00 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $3,330–$4,250 | $3,450 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 9 | 1 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford Bronco | Jeep Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 20 MPG · $3,330/yr Bronco | 19 MPG · $3,450/yr Gladiator |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Ford Bronco
- Lower annual fuel cost: $3,330 vs $3,450
- Higher combined rating: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG
- Higher city rating: 18 MPG vs 17 MPG
Jeep Gladiator
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Level on: highway rating (22 MPG)
Year by year
| Model year | Ford Bronco | Jeep Gladiator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 15–20 MPG | $3,330–$4,250 | 19 MPG | $3,450 |
| 2025 | 15–20 MPG | $3,320–$4,250 | 19 MPG | $3,420 |
| 2024 | 15–20 MPG | $3,190–$4,250 | 18–19 MPG | $3,420–$3,670 |
| 2023 | 15–20 MPG | $3,220–$4,250 | 19–24 MPG | $3,420–$3,930 |
| 2022 | 15–20 MPG | $3,220–$4,250 | 19–24 MPG | $3,420–$3,930 |
| 2021 | 17–21 MPG | $3,120–$3,930 | 19–24 MPG | $3,420–$3,930 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Bronco or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Ford Bronco is cheaper: about $3,330 a year against $3,450 for the Jeep Gladiator, a difference of $120 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford Bronco save over five years?
About $600 ($120 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford Bronco or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Ford Bronco is rated 20 MPG combined against 19 MPG for the Jeep Gladiator. City: 18 MPG vs 17 MPG. Highway: 22 MPG vs 22 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Gladiator in the same class?
The EPA classes the Ford Bronco as Small SUVs and the Jeep Gladiator as Standard pickups, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Ford Bronco: ratings, trims and every model year
- Jeep Gladiator: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford Bronco: all configurations
- 2026 Jeep Gladiator: all configurations
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