Ford Explorer Drivetrain (FWD/RWD/AWD/4WD)
The 2026 Ford Explorer is available in Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive and other drivetrain configurations.
Latest model year (2026):
The Ford Explorer is offered in Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive configurations, depending on trim.
Ford Explorer Drivetrain — All Years
| Year | Trim | Drive | Transmission | Engine | MPG Comb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2026Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 19 |
| 2026Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2026Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2026Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2026Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2025Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2025Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2025Config 3 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2025Config 4 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2025Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2025Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2024Config 1 of 8 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2024Config 2 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2024Config 3 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2024Config 4 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2024Config 5 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2024Config 6 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2024Config 7 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2024Config 8 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 20 |
| 2023Config 1 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 20 |
| 2023Config 2 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2023Config 3 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2023Config 4 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2023Config 5 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2023Config 6 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2023Config 7 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2023Config 8 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2023Config 9 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2023Config 10 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2023Config 11 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2023Config 12 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2023Config 13 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 25 |
| 2023Config 14 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 26 |
| 2023Config 15 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 20 |
| 2023Config 16 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 27 |
| 2023Config 17 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 23 |
| 2022Config 1 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 20 |
| 2022Config 2 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2022Config 3 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2022Config 4 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2022Config 5 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 26 |
| 2022Config 6 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 25 |
| 2022Config 7 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 27 |
| 2022Config 8 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 23 |
| 2022Config 9 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2022Config 10 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2022Config 11 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2022Config 12 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2022Config 13 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2022Config 14 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2022Config 15 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 6 3.3L | 19 |
| 2021Config 1 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2021Config 2 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2021Config 3 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2021Config 4 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 21 |
| 2021Config 5 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2021Config 6 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 27 |
| 2021Config 7 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 19 |
| 2021Config 8 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 25 |
| 2021Config 9 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2021Config 10 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2020Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 23 |
| 2020Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 4 2.3L | 24 |
| 2020Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.0L | 20 |
| 2020Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 19 |
| 2020Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 28 |
| 2020Config 6 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 6 3.3L | 25 |
| 2019Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2019Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2019Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2019Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2019Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2019Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2019Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2018Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2018Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2018Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2018Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2018Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2018Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2018Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2017Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2017Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2017Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2017Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2017Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2017Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2017Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2016Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 22 |
| 2016Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 4 2.3L | 21 |
| 2016Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2016Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2016Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2016Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2016Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2015Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2015Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 20 |
| 2015Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2015Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 19 |
| 2015Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 6 3.5L | 18 |
| 2015Config 6 of 6 | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 4 2.0L | 23 |
Data sourced from fueleconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy). MPG figures are EPA-tested. Fuel costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and 15,000 miles/year.
Ford Explorer data analysis
How to read this Ford Explorer data
This page lists every 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer record we hold for this measurement — 102 rows in total, one per configuration and model year rather than a single headline figure. Figures are published as the source agency records them: we do not round, average or interpolate missing years, and a year that is absent from the table is a year with no published measurement rather than a zero. Where a manufacturer offered several drivetrains or body styles in the same year, each appears on its own row, because those variants rarely share the same numbers.
Where these Ford Explorer figures come from
Every value on this page is loaded from federal open data — EPA fuel economy submissions, NHTSA vehicle and crash-test records, and manufacturer specification filings — rather than dealer listings or copied editorial content. The Ford Explorer record refreshes as the agencies publish, which typically means new model-year rows appear in the autumn and crash-test results follow through the model year as vehicles are tested. Because certification data is filed per configuration, treat any single headline number for this vehicle with caution: the figure that applies to a specific car depends on its engine, drivetrain, body style and model year, all of which are listed separately above. If a number here disagrees with a brochure, the brochure is usually quoting the best available configuration rather than the one being sold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Explorer Drivetrain
Is the Ford Explorer front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive?
The Ford Explorer is available in Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. Drivetrain availability changes by model year and trim — the table above shows every combination.
Does the Ford Explorer come with AWD or 4WD?
Yes — all-wheel or four-wheel drive is available on the Ford Explorer. See the table above for the specific years and trims.
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