The Ford Bronco II does 19.6 mpg combined (17.6 city, 22.3 highway), which works out to about $1,959 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.3L 4-cyl does 23.5 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $499 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Ford Bronco II engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Bronco II ranges from 23.5 down to 18 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $499 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 26 | 1985–1986 | $1,634 | |
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 16.6 / 21.4 | 1986–1990 | $2,065 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 16 / 21 | 1984–1985 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Bronco II burns a gallon every 19.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 612 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.163 |
| Fuel per year | $1,959 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,795 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$29 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,300 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Bronco II gives up 4.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.3 out there against 17.6 in town, a 27% drop worth $460 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.6 mpg | $2,182 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.3 mpg | $1,722 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.7 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the Bronco II changed over the years
The Bronco II peaked in 1985 at 21.5 mpg (19.5 city, 23.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1990 at 18 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $347 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1990 car does 18. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1987 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1986 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1985 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1984 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Ford Bronco II — 3 engines across 1984–1990. 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 $3,300. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Bronco II get?
19.6 mpg combined on average — 17.6 in the city and 22.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1990.
How much does a Ford Bronco II cost in fuel per year?
About $1,959 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,795 over five years, or 0.163 dollars a mile.
Which Bronco II engine is the most economical?
The 2.3L 4-cyl at 23.5 mpg, against 18 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $499 a year.
Is the Bronco II good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Bronco II figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Ford Bronco II is $3,300 against the $1,959 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 25 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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