The Ford Ranger does 22.5 mpg combined (20.9 city, 25.4 highway), which works out to about $1,707 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 58 mpg while 4L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $1,471 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Ranger 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 | 62 / 54 | 1999–2001 | $662 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 25 / 28 | 1984–1984 | $1,477 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 21.2 / 26.1 | 1985–2026 | $1,662 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 19.3 / 24 | 1998–2000 | $1,803 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18.7 / 23 | 2024–2026 | $1,920 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 / 22.5 | 1984–1985 | $2,021 | |
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 16.6 / 21.8 | 1986–1990 | $2,065 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16.5 / 21.8 | 1991–2008 | $2,087 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 16 / 20.8 | 2001–2011 | $2,133 |
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 | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,707 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,535 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$195 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,974 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 | 20.9 mpg | $1,837 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.4 mpg | $1,512 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.5 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the Ranger 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 | 19.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2025 | 20 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2024 | 20 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2023 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2022 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2021 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2020 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2019 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2010 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2006 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2005 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2004 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2001 | 33 / 33.3 | 3 | $1,164 | |
| 2000 | 32.7 / 33 | 3 | $1,174 | |
| 1999 | 32.3 / 33 | 3 | $1,189 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1997 | 18.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1996 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1995 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1994 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1993 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1992 | 19 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1990 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 |
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
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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 Ranger get?
22.5 mpg combined on average — 20.9 in the city and 25.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Ford Ranger cost in fuel per year?
About $1,707 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,535 over five years, or 0.142 dollars a mile.
Which Ranger engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 58 mpg, against 18 for the 4L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,471 a year.
Is the Ranger good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 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.