Ford Explorer Vehicle Class & Size
The EPA classifies the 2026 Ford Explorer as a Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD / Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, a rating based on body style and interior volume.
Latest model year (2026):
The Ford Explorer is classified by the EPA as a Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD / Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD.
Ford Explorer Vehicle Class — All Years
| Year | Trim | Vehicle Class | Drive | Fuel Type | MPG Comb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2026Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2026Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2026Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2026Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2026Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2025Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2025Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2025Config 3 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2025Config 4 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2025Config 5 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2025Config 6 of 6 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2024Config 1 of 8 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2024Config 2 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2024Config 3 of 8 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2024Config 4 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2024Config 5 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2024Config 6 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2024Config 7 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2024Config 8 of 8 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 1 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 2 of 17 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2023Config 3 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 4 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 5 of 17 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 6 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2023Config 7 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2023Config 8 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2023Config 9 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2023Config 10 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2023Config 11 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 12 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 13 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 |
| 2023Config 14 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 |
| 2023Config 15 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2023Config 16 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 |
| 2023Config 17 of 17 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2022Config 1 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2022Config 2 of 15 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2022Config 3 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2022Config 4 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2022Config 5 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 |
| 2022Config 6 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 |
| 2022Config 7 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 |
| 2022Config 8 of 15 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2022Config 9 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2022Config 10 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2022Config 11 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2022Config 12 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2022Config 13 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2022Config 14 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2022Config 15 of 15 | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2021Config 1 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2021Config 2 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2021Config 3 of 10 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2021Config 4 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2021Config 5 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2021Config 6 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 |
| 2021Config 7 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2021Config 8 of 10 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 |
| 2021Config 9 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2021Config 10 of 10 | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2020Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 |
| 2020Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 |
| 2020Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2020Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2020Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 |
| 2020Config 6 of 6 | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 |
| 2019Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2019Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2019Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2019Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2019Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2019Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2019Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2018Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2018Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2018Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2018Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2018Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2018Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2018Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2017Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2017Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2017Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2017Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2017Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2017Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2017Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2016Config 1 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 |
| 2016Config 2 of 7 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 |
| 2016Config 3 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2016Config 4 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2016Config 5 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2016Config 6 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2016Config 7 of 7 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2015Config 1 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2015Config 2 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 |
| 2015Config 3 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2015Config 4 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 |
| 2015Config 5 of 6 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 |
| 2015Config 6 of 6 | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 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 Vehicle Class
What class of vehicle is the Ford Explorer?
The EPA classifies the Ford Explorer as a Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD / Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD. This classification is based on interior volume and body style and affects how its fuel economy is compared with other vehicles.
Is the Ford Explorer considered a small or large vehicle?
Based on its EPA class (Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD), the Ford Explorer is grouped with vehicles of similar size and interior volume. The class can change between model years when the body is redesigned.
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