The Ford Bronco does 16.1 mpg combined (14.8 city, 18.2 highway), which works out to about $2,385 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 20.2 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 13.4 — a difference of $965 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Ford Bronco engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Bronco ranges from 20.2 down to 13.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $965 a year across 4 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 | 19.3 / 21.5 | 2021–2026 | $1,901 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18.8 / 20.7 | 2021–2026 | $1,949 | |
| 4.9L 6-cyl | 13.6 / 17.4 | 1984–1992 | $2,560 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 11.6 / 16.2 | 1984–1996 | $2,866 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Bronco burns a gallon every 16.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 745 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.199 |
| Fuel per year | $2,385 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,925 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$455 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,988 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Bronco gives up 3.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 18.2 out there against 14.8 in town, a 23% drop worth $485 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 | 14.8 mpg | $2,595 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18.2 mpg | $2,110 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.4 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Bronco changed over the years
The Bronco peaked in 2026 at 20 mpg (18.5 city, 21.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1992 at 13.5 — 6.5 mpg apart, or $924 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2025 | 18.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2024 | 19.5 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 19.5 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2022 | 19.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2021 | 19 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1996 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1995 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1994 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1993 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1992 | 11.5 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 1991 | 11.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 1990 | 11.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 1989 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1988 | 12.5 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1987 | 12.5 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1986 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1985 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1984 | 12.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 34 EPA ratings of the Ford Bronco — 4 engines across 1984–2026. 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 $3,988. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Bronco get?
16.1 mpg combined on average — 14.8 in the city and 18.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Ford Bronco cost in fuel per year?
About $2,385 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,925 over five years, or 0.199 dollars a mile.
Which Bronco engine is the most economical?
The 2.3L 4-cyl at 20.2 mpg, against 13.4 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $965 a year.
Is the Bronco 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 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 is $3,988 against the $2,385 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 13 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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