Jeep Cherokee vs Volkswagen Atlas
The Jeep Cherokee is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 37 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $800 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Jeep Cherokee leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Jeep Cherokee
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 79 configurations
2018–2027
Volkswagen Atlas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Jeep Cherokee | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 37 mpg ✓ | 25 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 39 mpg ✓ | 22 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 35 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,650 ✓ | $2,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 241 g/mi ✓ | 364 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2 | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 9-spd | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85, Midgrade | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2018–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 79 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Cherokee vs Atlas: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Jeep Cherokee or the Volkswagen Atlas?
The Jeep Cherokee is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 37 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $800 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Jeep Cherokee runs about $1,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,450 for the Volkswagen Atlas — a difference of roughly $800 per year.
What engines do the Cherokee and Atlas offer?
Jeep Cherokee: Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2. Volkswagen Atlas: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Jeep Cherokee and the Volkswagen Atlas as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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