Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Explorer is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,780 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Explorer, 24 MPG combined), against $2,810 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee (Grand Cherokee, 23 MPG combined). That is $30 a year, or $150 over five years.
Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. 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
- Standard SUVs
Ford Explorer
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Explorer
$18.53 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Grand Cherokee
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$18.73 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
9 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford Explorer$2,780 a year · $18.53 per 100 mi
- Jeep Grand Cherokee$2,810 a year · $18.73 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$30
Ford Explorer costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$150
$30 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Explorer | Grand Cherokee |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 24 MPG (better) | 23 MPG |
| City rating | 20 MPG | 21 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 29 MPG (better) | 27 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,780/yr (better) | $2,810/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $18.53 (better) | $18.73 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,780–$3,440 | $2,140–$3,100 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 9 |
| EPA class | Standard SUVs | Standard SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 24 MPG · $2,780/yr Explorer | 23 MPG · $2,810/yr Grand Cherokee |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 23 MPG gas-only · $2,140/yr Grand Cherokee 4xe |
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 Explorer
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,780 vs $2,810
- Higher combined rating: 24 MPG vs 23 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 29 MPG vs 27 MPG
Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Higher city rating: 21 MPG vs 20 MPG
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Ford Explorer does not
Year by year
| Model year | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 19–24 MPG | $2,780–$3,440 | 21–23 MPG | $2,140–$3,100 |
| 2025 | 20–24 MPG | $2,780–$3,230 | 21–23 MPG | $2,140–$3,100 |
| 2024 | 20–24 MPG | $2,730–$3,280 | 17–23 MPG | $2,140–$4,460 |
| 2023 | 20–27 MPG | $2,380–$3,340 | 17–23 MPG | $2,140–$4,460 |
| 2022 | 19–27 MPG | $2,390–$3,460 | 17–23 MPG | $2,140–$4,460 |
| 2021 | 19–27 MPG | $2,380–$3,460 | 13–21 MPG | $3,050–$6,040 |
| 2020 | 19–28 MPG | $2,360–$3,490 | 13–21 MPG | $3,050–$6,040 |
| 2019 | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,670 | 13–24 MPG | $3,050–$6,040 |
| 2018 | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,570 | 13–25 MPG | $3,050–$6,040 |
| 2017 | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,560 | 15–21 MPG | $3,050–$5,370 |
| 2016 | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,560 | 15–25 MPG | $3,050–$5,370 |
| 2015 | 18–23 MPG | $2,900–$3,570 | 15–25 MPG | $3,260–$5,370 |
| 2014 | 18–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,560 | 15–25 MPG | $3,260–$5,370 |
| 2013 | 18–23 MPG | $2,890–$3,550 | 14–19 MPG | $3,410–$5,590 |
| 2012 | 19–23 MPG | $2,890–$3,450 | 14–19 MPG | $3,410–$5,590 |
| 2011 | 19–20 MPG | $3,240–$3,450 | 15–18 MPG | $3,530–$4,210 |
| 2010 | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 | 13–18 MPG | $3,630–$6,050 |
| 2009 | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 | 12–18 MPG | $3,630–$6,700 |
| 2008 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | 12–20 MPG | $3,840–$6,700 |
| 2007 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | 12–20 MPG | $3,840–$6,700 |
| 2006 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | 12–17 MPG | $3,840–$6,700 |
| 2005 | 14–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,670 | 14–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,670 |
| 2004 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 |
| 2003 | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 | 16 MPG | $4,080 |
| 2002 | 14–17 MPG | $2,390–$4,670 | 14–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,670 |
| 2001 | 15–18 MPG | $2,390–$4,360 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 |
| 2000 | 15–18 MPG | $3,630–$4,360 | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 |
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. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Explorer or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Ford Explorer is cheaper: about $2,780 a year against $2,810 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a difference of $30 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 Explorer save over five years?
About $150 ($30 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 Explorer or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined against 23 MPG for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. City: 20 MPG vs 21 MPG. Highway: 29 MPG vs 27 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 Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Ford Explorer: ratings, trims and every model year
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford Explorer: all configurations
- 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: all configurations
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