The Ford F-150 does 20.1 mpg combined (18.5 city, 22.8 highway), which works out to about $1,910 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 70.5 mpg while 5.4L 8-cyl does 15 — a difference of $2,015 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Ford F-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 78.3 / 63.5 | 2022–2025 | $545 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 21.3 / 28.8 | 2018–2021 | $1,580 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 23.7 / 24.8 | 2021–2026 | $1,587 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 19.1 / 25.4 | 2015–2026 | $1,786 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 / 22.7 | 2011–2014 | $2,021 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 / 22 | 2012–2012 | $2,021 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 14.7 / 20.4 | 1984–2026 | $2,286 | |
| 4.9L 6-cyl | 14.8 / 19 | 1984–1996 | $2,356 | |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14.3 / 19 | 1997–2008 | $2,370 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 13.8 / 18.8 | 1997–2010 | $2,430 | |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 13 / 18 | 2004–2004 | $2,560 |
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 | $0.159 |
| Fuel per year | $1,910 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,550 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$552 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,513 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 | 18.5 mpg | $2,076 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.3 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the F-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19.3 / 24.7 | 3 | $1,803 | |
| 2025 | 34 / 34.5 | 4 | $1,136 | |
| 2024 | 33.8 / 34 | 4 | $1,153 | |
| 2023 | 35 / 34.8 | 4 | $1,120 | |
| 2022 | 35 / 34.5 | 4 | $1,120 | |
| 2021 | 20.7 / 25.7 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2019 | 19.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 19.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2017 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2016 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2015 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2014 | 16 / 22 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2013 | 16 / 22 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2012 | 15.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2011 | 16 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2006 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2005 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2003 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2002 | 14.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2001 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2000 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1999 | 14 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1998 | 14.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 1997 | 14.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,327 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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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 F-150 get?
20.1 mpg combined on average — 18.5 in the city and 22.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Ford F-150 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,910 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,550 over five years, or 0.159 dollars a mile.
Which F-150 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 70.5 mpg, against 15 for the 5.4L 8-cyl — a difference of about $2,015 a year.
Is the F-150 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above 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.