Ford Explorer Fuel Tank Capacity
How big is the gas tank on a 2026 Ford Explorer?
The 2026 Ford Explorer has a 17.9-gallon fuel tank (20.2 gallons with the optional extended-range tank), good for roughly 376 miles of range at 21 MPG combined.
Latest model year (2026):
The Ford Explorer holds 17.9 gallons of fuel, or 20.2 gallons with the optional extended-range tank. At 21 MPG combined that is roughly 376 miles of range on a full tank.
Ford Explorer Gas Tank — All Years
| Year | Tank Capacity | Optional Tank | Combined MPG | Est. Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | 21 | 376 mi |
| 2025 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | 22 | 394 mi |
| 2024 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | 21 | 376 mi |
| 2023 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | 22 | 394 mi |
| 2022 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | — | — |
| 2021 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | — | — |
| 2020 | 17.9 gal | 20.2 gal | — | — |
| 2019 | 18.6 gal | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 18.6 gal | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 18.6 gal | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 18.6 gal | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 18.6 gal | — | — | — |
Manufacturer specification data sourced from Manufacturer specifications, last verified August 12, 2026. Always confirm against the owner's manual or door-jamb placard before towing or buying tires — figures vary by cab, bed, axle ratio, and options.
Ford Explorer data analysis
How Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity varies
Across 12 configurations recorded for the 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer, fuel tank capacity runs from 17.9 gallons to 18.6 gallons. The strongest figure belongs to the 2015 Ford Explorer (Standard) at 18.6 gallons, and the weakest to the 2026 car (Standard) at 17.9 gallons — a spread of 4%. The narrow spread means any year of the Ford Explorer in this table behaves much like the others, so you can shop on price, condition and mileage rather than chasing a particular model year.
What changed for 2026
Average fuel tank capacity for the 2026 Ford Explorer is 17.9 gallons, against 17.9 gallons for the 2025 car — it held flat. A carry-over year like this usually means no powertrain or structural change, so an older example is the cheaper way into the same specification.
How to read this Ford Explorer data
This page lists every 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer record we hold for this measurement — 12 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 span 12 model years of published measurements for this figure. 2026 is the busiest model year in the record with 1 separate measured configuration, which is why a single quoted fuel tank capacity 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 Gas Tank
How big is the Ford Explorer gas tank?
The Ford Explorer has a 17.9-gallon fuel tank, or 20.2 gallons with the optional extended-range tank. Capacity changed between generations — the table above lists it year by year.
How far can the Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
At roughly 22 MPG combined, a full 17.9-gallon tank is good for about 394 miles. Plan on refueling near 300 miles, since most fuel gauges read empty with 1–2 gallons still in the tank.
How much does it cost to fill up a Ford Explorer?
At $3.50 per gallon, filling the 17.9-gallon tank from empty costs about $63. Multiply the tank size by your local pump price for a current figure.