Ford Explorer Annual Fuel Cost
Running a 2026 Ford Explorer costs about $2,200 per year in fuel, based on 15,000 miles of driving at average U.S. fuel prices.
Latest model year (2026):
The Ford Explorer costs an estimated $2,550/year in fuel (377 g CO₂/mi).
Ford Explorer Fuel Cost — All Years
| Year | Trim | Engine | Fuel | MPG Comb. | Annual Cost | CO₂ (g/mi) | GHG Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 424 | 4 |
| 2026Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 467 | 4 |
| 2026Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 439 | 4 |
| 2026Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 423 | 4 |
| 2026Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 394 | 5 |
| 2026Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 377 | 5 |
| 2025Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 439 | 4 |
| 2025Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 425 | 4 |
| 2025Config 3 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 394 | 5 |
| 2025Config 4 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 377 | 5 |
| 2025Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 420 | 4 |
| 2025Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 428 | 4 |
| 2024Config 1 of 8 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 433 | 4 |
| 2024Config 2 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 437 | 4 |
| 2024Config 3 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2024Config 4 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 387 | 5 |
| 2024Config 5 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 370 | 5 |
| 2024Config 6 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 426 | 4 |
| 2024Config 7 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 444 | 4 |
| 2024Config 8 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 444 | 4 |
| 2023Config 1 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2023Config 2 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 433 | 4 |
| 2023Config 3 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 454 | 4 |
| 2023Config 4 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 438 | 4 |
| 2023Config 5 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2023Config 6 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 404 | 5 |
| 2023Config 7 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 385 | 5 |
| 2023Config 8 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 370 | 5 |
| 2023Config 9 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 387 | 5 |
| 2023Config 10 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 428 | 4 |
| 2023Config 11 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 444 | 4 |
| 2023Config 12 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 451 | 4 |
| 2023Config 13 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 25 | $2,450 | 361 | 5 |
| 2023Config 14 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 26 | $2,350 | 342 | 5 |
| 2023Config 15 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 444 | 4 |
| 2023Config 16 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 27 | $2,300 | 324 | 5 |
| 2023Config 17 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 379 | 5 |
| 2022Config 1 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2022Config 2 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 433 | 4 |
| 2022Config 3 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 437 | 4 |
| 2022Config 4 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 444 | 4 |
| 2022Config 5 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 26 | $2,350 | 342 | 5 |
| 2022Config 6 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 25 | $2,450 | 361 | 5 |
| 2022Config 7 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 27 | $2,300 | 324 | 6 |
| 2022Config 8 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 379 | 5 |
| 2022Config 9 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 387 | 5 |
| 2022Config 10 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 370 | 5 |
| 2022Config 11 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 386 | 5 |
| 2022Config 12 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 404 | 5 |
| 2022Config 13 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2022Config 14 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 428 | 4 |
| 2022Config 15 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 470 | 4 |
| 2021Config 1 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 373 | 5 |
| 2021Config 2 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 386 | 5 |
| 2021Config 3 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 431 | 4 |
| 2021Config 4 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 431 | 4 |
| 2021Config 5 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 445 | 4 |
| 2021Config 6 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 27 | $2,300 | 324 | 6 |
| 2021Config 7 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 471 | 3 |
| 2021Config 8 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 25 | $2,450 | 361 | 5 |
| 2021Config 9 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 373 | 5 |
| 2021Config 10 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 386 | 5 |
| 2020Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 386 | 5 |
| 2020Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 24 | $2,550 | 370 | 5 |
| 2020Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 6 3.0L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 446 | 4 |
| 2020Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 468 | 3 |
| 2020Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 28 | $2,200 | 322 | 6 |
| 2020Config 6 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 6 3.3L | Regular Gasoline | 25 | $2,450 | 361 | 5 |
| 2019Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 423 | 4 |
| 2019Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 409 | 4 |
| 2019Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 454 | 4 |
| 2019Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 478 | 3 |
| 2019Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 454 | 4 |
| 2019Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 481 | 3 |
| 2019Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 500 | 3 |
| 2018Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 429 | 4 |
| 2018Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 409 | 4 |
| 2018Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 453 | 4 |
| 2018Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 480 | 3 |
| 2018Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 486 | 3 |
| 2018Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 455 | 4 |
| 2018Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 483 | 3 |
| 2017Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 408 | 5 |
| 2017Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 430 | 4 |
| 2017Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 494 | 3 |
| 2017Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 452 | 4 |
| 2017Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 452 | 4 |
| 2017Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 475 | 4 |
| 2017Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 475 | 4 |
| 2016Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 22 | $2,800 | 410 | 5 |
| 2016Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | 4 2.3L | Regular Gasoline | 21 | $2,950 | 428 | 5 |
| 2016Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 474 | 4 |
| 2016Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 474 | 4 |
| 2016Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 490 | 4 |
| 2016Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 452 | 4 |
| 2016Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 452 | 4 |
| 2015Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 450 | 5 |
| 2015Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 20 | $3,100 | 450 | 5 |
| 2015Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 471 | 4 |
| 2015Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 19 | $3,250 | 471 | 4 |
| 2015Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 6 3.5L | Regular Gasoline | 18 | $3,400 | 490 | 4 |
| 2015Config 6 of 6 | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 4 2.0L | Regular Gasoline | 23 | $2,650 | 394 | 5 |
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 Ford Explorer estimated annual fuel cost varies
Across 102 configurations recorded for the 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer, estimated annual fuel cost runs from $2,200 to $3,400. The strongest figure belongs to the 2020 Ford Explorer (Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L) at $2,200, and the weakest to the 2015 car (Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L) at $3,400 — a spread of 35%. A gap that wide means the model year and configuration you buy matter more than the nameplate does: quoting a single number for the Ford Explorer would be misleading.
What changed for 2026
Average estimated annual fuel cost for the 2026 Ford Explorer is $2,908, against $2,858 for the 2025 car — it rose by $50. Buyers who care most about this figure should look at the earlier model years in the table above before assuming newest is best.
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.
Configurations behind these Ford Explorer numbers
The 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer entries here cover variants including Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L and Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L. 2023 is the busiest model year in the record with 17 separate measured configurations, which is why a single quoted estimated annual fuel cost figure for that year is rarely the one that matches the car in front of you. Match the row to the exact drivetrain, body style and engine on the window sticker or VIN before relying on the number, and use the comparison links below to see how those same configurations line up against rival models.
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 Fuel Cost
How much does it cost to fuel the Ford Explorer?
The estimated annual fuel cost for the Ford Explorer is $2,200 per year, based on 15,000 miles of driving and average fuel prices. Costs vary by trim and engine.
How much CO₂ does the Ford Explorer produce?
The Ford Explorer produces approximately 322 grams of CO₂ per mile. Lower numbers mean fewer emissions. See the table for per-trim details.
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