Against 247 other V6 cars rated 2024–2026, the Explorer beats their 21 mpg average by 1.5 mpg, about $122 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1991, the 3.3L 6-cyl Hybrid (2020–2023), does 27.3 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5L 8-cyl (1996–2001), 14.5: $1,241 a year apart.
Every Ford Explorer engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 27 / 28.3 | 2020–2023 | $1,407 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 20.1 / 27.8 | 2016–2026 | $1,648 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 20 / 27.3 | 2012–2015 | $1,670 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.4 | 2020–2026 | $1,837 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 17.2 / 24.2 | 2011–2019 | $1,920 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 15 / 20.3 | 1991–2010 | $2,259 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 13.4 / 19.2 | 2002–2010 | $2,446 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 12.5 / 17.5 | 1996–2001 | $2,648 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Highlander gets 29.8 mpg, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 22.6 mpg and the Lexus GX 17 mpg, next to 22.5 mpg for the 2026 Explorer.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,707 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,535 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2024–2026 | −$122 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,332 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Ford Explorer gives up 8 mpg in town: 27 on the highway against 19 in the city, $599 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27 mpg | $1,422 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Explorer changed over the years
The Explorer peaked in 2023 at 24 mpg (22 city, 27.3 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 15.5 — 8.5 mpg apart, or $877 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 22.5. The biggest single-year change came in 2020: 21 to 24 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2024 | 19.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2023 | 22 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,600 | |
| 2022 | 22 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,600 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,600 | |
| 2020 | 22 / 27 | 3 | $1,600 | |
| 2019 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2017 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2016 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2015 | 18.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2014 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2013 | 18.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2012 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2011 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2010 | 14.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2009 | 14.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2008 | 13.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 13.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 13.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2005 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2004 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2003 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2002 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2001 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2000 | 14.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 1999 | 14.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 1998 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 |
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 70 EPA ratings of the Ford Explorer — 8 engines across 1991–2026. 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 $3,332. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Ford Explorer get?
22.5 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 21 to 24. Across every year since 1991 the Explorer has averaged 19.3 mpg.
Is the 2026 Explorer more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 22.5 against 22.5 mpg combined.
Which Explorer year has the best gas mileage?
The 2023, at 24 mpg combined (22 city, 27.3 highway).
Does the Explorer get better gas mileage than the Toyota Highlander?
No: 22.5 mpg for the 2026 Explorer against 29.8 for the 2026 Toyota Highlander, about $418 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.