The Ford Transit does 17.3 mpg combined (15.9 city, 19.9 highway), which works out to about $2,220 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 26 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 16.3 — a difference of $879 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Ford Transit engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Transit ranges from 26 down to 16.3 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $879 a year across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24 / 28 | 2023–2023 | $1,477 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 14.9 / 18.9 | 2015–2022 | $2,356 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Transit burns a gallon every 17.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 694 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.185 |
| Fuel per year | $2,220 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,100 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$290 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,672 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Transit gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.9 out there against 15.9 in town, a 25% 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 | 15.9 mpg | $2,415 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.9 mpg | $1,930 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Transit changed over the years
The Transit peaked in 2023 at 26 mpg (24 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2021 at 16 — 10 mpg apart, or $923 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2023 car does 26. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2021 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2020 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2019 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2018 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2017 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2016 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2015 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Ford Transit — 2 engines across 2015–2023. 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 $3,672. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Transit get?
17.3 mpg combined on average — 15.9 in the city and 19.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2023.
How much does a Ford Transit cost in fuel per year?
About $2,220 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,100 over five years, or 0.185 dollars a mile.
Which Transit engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26 mpg, against 16.3 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $879 a year.
Is the Transit 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 Transit 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 Transit is $3,672 against the $2,220 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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