The Ford E-150 does 14.9 mpg combined (13.2 city, 17.5 highway), which works out to about $2,577 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.6L 8-cyl does 15.9 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 13.5 — a difference of $429 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Ford E-150 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 13.8 / 18.8 | 1997–2014 | $2,415 | |
| 4.9L 6-cyl | 13.9 / 17.3 | 1984–1996 | $2,526 | |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 12.9 / 17.1 | 1997–2003 | $2,667 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 11.7 / 15.9 | 1984–1996 | $2,844 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.215 |
| Fuel per year | $2,577 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,885 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$115 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,225 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 13.2 mpg | $2,909 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 17.5 mpg | $2,194 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.3 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the E-150 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2013 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2012 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2011 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2005 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2003 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2002 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2001 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2000 | 12.5 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1999 | 12 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1998 | 13 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1996 | 11.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 1995 | 12.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1994 | 12.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1993 | 12.5 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1992 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1991 | 12.5 / 17 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1990 | 12.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1989 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1988 | 13 / 17 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1987 | 13.5 / 17.5 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1986 | 15 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1985 | 13 / 15.5 | 2 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford E-150 get?
14.9 mpg combined on average — 13.2 in the city and 17.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2014.
How much does a Ford E-150 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,577 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,885 over five years, or 0.215 dollars a mile.
Which E-150 engine is the most economical?
The 4.6L 8-cyl at 15.9 mpg, against 13.5 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $429 a year.
Is the E-150 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg, computed across 4665 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.