Against 329 other V6 cars rated 1995–1997, the Aerostar trails their 18.8 mpg average by 1.8 mpg, about $216 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1986, the 2.3L 4-cyl (1986–1987), does 24 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (1986–1997), 18.5: $476 a year apart.
Every Ford Aerostar engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 23 / 26 | 1986–1987 | $1,600 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16.3 / 22 | 1986–1997 | $2,076 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Previa gets 17 mpg and the GMC Safari 16.7 mpg, next to 17 mpg for the 1997 Aerostar.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1997) | $0.188 |
| Fuel per year | $2,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,295 |
| Against other V6 cars, 1995–1997 | +$216 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,264 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1997 Ford Aerostar gives up 6 mpg in town: 21 on the highway against 15 in the city, $731 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1997) | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21 mpg | $1,829 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Aerostar changed over the years
The Aerostar peaked in 1987 at 21.5 mpg (19.5 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1997 at 17 — 4.5 mpg apart, or $473 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1997 car does 17. The biggest single-year change came in 1988: 21.5 to 18 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1995 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1994 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1993 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1992 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1991 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1990 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1987 | 19.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1986 | 20 / 24 | 2 | $1,786 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Ford Aerostar — 2 engines across 1986–1997. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,264. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1997 Ford Aerostar get?
17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1986 the Aerostar has averaged 19.3 mpg.
Is the 1997 Aerostar more efficient than the 1996?
No: 17 against 18 mpg combined, about $126 a year more to run.
Which Aerostar year has the best gas mileage?
The 1987, at 21.5 mpg combined (19.5 city, 24 highway).
Does the Aerostar get better gas mileage than the Toyota Previa?
About the same: 17 mpg for the 1997 Aerostar against 17 for the 1997 Toyota Previa.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.