Tank Ledger

Jeep Wrangler/TJ MPG by year — every rating on record

The Jeep Wrangler/TJ has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2003 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (2003) and its thirstiest returned 14 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 14 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

17best combined mpg (2003)
14worst combined mpg (2005)
17latest year best (2006)
14configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2003417 mpg16 mpg#32 of 81 (61th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2004417 mpg16 mpg#34 of 85 (61th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2005317 mpg14 mpg#36 of 87 (59th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2006317 mpg14 mpg#39 of 93 (59th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Jeep Wrangler/TJ placed highest in 2003 at #32 of 81, and lowest in 2006 at #39 of 93. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 14 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20064.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl131614821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
20064.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl131715766.719.8$4,150592.4666666666667n/a
20062.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161917676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
20054.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl131614821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
20054.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl131715766.719.8$4,150592.4666666666667n/a
20052.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161917676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
20044.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
20044.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl141816718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
20042.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161917676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
20042.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161917676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
20034.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl141816718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
20034.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular4.0L 6-cyl151716718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
20032.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161817676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
20032.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl161817676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a

What Wrangler/TJ fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler/TJ burns 676 to 821 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$2,029$2,464$435
$3.50/gal$2,368$2,875$507
$4.00/gal$2,706$3,286$580

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,650 to $4,450 a year in fuel, or $7,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 17 mpg the Jeep Wrangler/TJ is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $451 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Jeep nameplates

Every Jeep model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.