Ford Explorer Fuel Economy (MPG)

Name: Ford Explorer MPG & Fuel Economy
Creator: AutoSpecData
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What is the real-world gas mileage of a 2026 Ford Explorer?

The 2026 Ford Explorer gets up to 28 MPG combined (27 city / 29 highway) in EPA testing.

Latest model year (2026):

The Ford Explorer gets up to 24 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway) in the Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L trim.

Verifiedfueleconomy.gov · Verified August 11, 2026

Overview MPG Engine Specs Fuel Cost Transmission Drivetrain Vehicle Class Maintenance Towing Gas Tank Dimensions Curb Weight Safety

Ford Explorer MPG — All Years

Year	Trim	Engine	Fuel	City (MPG)	Hwy (MPG)	Combined (MPG)
2026Config 1 of 6	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	23	21
2026Config 2 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	17	22	19
2026Config 3 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	20
2026Config 4 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2026Config 5 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2026Config 6 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	29	24
2025Config 1 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	20
2025Config 2 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2025Config 3 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2025Config 4 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	29	24
2025Config 5 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2025Config 6 of 6	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2024Config 1 of 8	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	22	21
2024Config 2 of 8	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	20
2024Config 3 of 8	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2024Config 4 of 8	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2024Config 5 of 8	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2024Config 6 of 8	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	26	21
2024Config 7 of 8	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2024Config 8 of 8	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2023Config 1 of 17	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	21	20
2023Config 2 of 17	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	22	21
2023Config 3 of 17	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2023Config 4 of 17	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	20
2023Config 5 of 17	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2023Config 6 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	26	22
2023Config 7 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	28	23
2023Config 8 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2023Config 9 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2023Config 10 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	26	21
2023Config 11 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2023Config 12 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2023Config 13 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	26	25
2023Config 14 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	25	26	26
2023Config 15 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	17	25	20
2023Config 16 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	27	28	27
2023Config 17 of 17	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	24	23
2022Config 1 of 15	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	21	20
2022Config 2 of 15	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	22	21
2022Config 3 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	20
2022Config 4 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2022Config 5 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	25	26	26
2022Config 6 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	26	25
2022Config 7 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	27	28	27
2022Config 8 of 15	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	24	23
2022Config 9 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2022Config 10 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2022Config 11 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	28	23
2022Config 12 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	26	22
2022Config 13 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2022Config 14 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	26	21
2022Config 15 of 15	Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	16	24	19
2021Config 1 of 10	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2021Config 2 of 10	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2021Config 3 of 10	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	23	21
2021Config 4 of 10	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	26	21
2021Config 5 of 10	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2021Config 6 of 10	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	27	28	27
2021Config 7 of 10	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2021Config 8 of 10	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	26	25
2021Config 9 of 10	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2021Config 10 of 10	Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2020Config 1 of 6	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	23
2020Config 2 of 6	Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	21	28	24
2020Config 3 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L	6 3.0L	Regular Gasoline	18	24	20
2020Config 4 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2020Config 5 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	27	29	28
2020Config 6 of 6	Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L	6 3.3L	Regular Gasoline	23	26	25
2019Config 1 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2019Config 2 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	27	22
2019Config 3 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2019Config 4 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	19
2019Config 5 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2019Config 6 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2019Config 7 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2018Config 1 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2018Config 2 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	27	22
2018Config 3 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2018Config 4 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	19
2018Config 5 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2018Config 6 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2018Config 7 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2017Config 1 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	27	22
2017Config 2 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	18	25	21
2017Config 3 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2017Config 4 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2017Config 5 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2017Config 6 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2017Config 7 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2016Config 1 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	19	27	22
2016Config 2 of 7	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L	4 2.3L	Regular Gasoline	18	26	21
2016Config 3 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2016Config 4 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	23	19
2016Config 5 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2016Config 6 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2016Config 7 of 7	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2015Config 1 of 6	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2015Config 2 of 6	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	24	20
2015Config 3 of 6	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	23	19
2015Config 4 of 6	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	17	23	19
2015Config 5 of 6	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	6 3.5L	Regular Gasoline	16	22	18
2015Config 6 of 6	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	4 2.0L	Regular Gasoline	20	27	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 Ford Explorer combined fuel economy varies

Across 102 configurations recorded for the 2015 through 2026 Ford Explorer, combined fuel economy runs from 18 MPG to 28 MPG. The strongest figure belongs to the 2020 Ford Explorer (Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L) at 28 MPG, and the weakest to the 2019 car (Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L) at 18 MPG — a spread of 56%. 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 combined fuel economy for the 2026 Ford Explorer is 21.3 MPG, against 21.7 MPG for the 2025 car — it fell by 0.3 MPG. 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 combined fuel economy 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.

Official Factory Specs vs. AutoSpecData Expert Benchmarks

The EPA highway loop never holds interstate speed. Here is what the same engine does when you sit on the cruise control.

Cruise speed	EPA highway spec	AutoSpecData adjusted MPG	Fuel you lose
60 mph	29 MPG	29 MPG	0%
65 mph	29 MPG	26.5 MPG	9%
70 mph	29 MPG	24.2 MPG	17%
75 mph	29 MPG	22.1 MPG	24%
80 mph	29 MPG	20.3 MPG	30%

Our Real-World Speed MPG Adjuster re-scales the Ford Explorer EPA highway result with a quadratic drag term (mpg = hwy ÷ (1 + k·(v² − 60²)/60²), k = 0.55 for trucks, SUVs and vans, 0.42 for cars). Wind, roof racks, and a heavy right foot make it worse, never better.

Frequently Asked Questions About Explorer MPG

What is the MPG of the Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer gets up to 28 MPG combined (27 city / 29 highway) in the 2026 model year. Fuel economy varies by engine and trim — see the full table above for details.

Which Ford Explorer trim has the best fuel economy?

The Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L trim offers the best combined fuel economy at 28 MPG. Smaller engines and front-wheel-drive configurations typically achieve the highest MPG.