Ford Explorer MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Ford Explorer MPG for every engine and drivetrain from 1991 to 2027.
Explorer MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 288 configurations of the Explorer across gas, hybrid and electric versions. Pick a year to compare engines and drivetrains.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | Auto 10-spd | RWD | 20 | 29 | 24 | View |
| Explorer AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | Auto 10-spd | Part-time 4WD | 20 | 27 | 23 | View |
| Explorer RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S10) | RWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | View |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | Auto (S10) | Part-time 4WD | 19 | 23 | 21 | View |
| Explorer AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S10) | Part-time 4WD | 18 | 25 | 20 | View |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S10) | Part-time 4WD | 17 | 22 | 19 | View |
Electric and hydrogen versions are rated in MPGe, so compare them with each other rather than with the MPG figures.
Explorer MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every Explorer configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers. Electric versions are rated in MPGe, so they're left out of the chart and listed in the table instead.
Years When Explorer Fuel Economy Changed
The Explorer's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 2001: An electric Explorer joins the lineup at 39 MPGe combined, with up to 38 miles of EPA range.
- 2011: The top combined rating rises to 20 MPG, up from 17 MPG the year before.
- 2012: The top combined rating rises to 23 MPG, up from 20 MPG the year before.
- 2020: The first hybrid Explorer shows up in the EPA data. Its 28 MPG combined rating tops the previous year's best of 22 MPG.
How the Explorer Compares
The EPA rated 55 full-size SUVs for 2026. The best Explorer version, at 24 MPG combined, ties for 9th with 3 other models of 55. Combined ratings in the class run from 14 to 37 MPG, with a median of 21. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeep Cherokee | 37 MPG |
| 2 | Toyota Grand Highlander | 36 MPG |
| 3 | Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG |
| 4 | Hyundai Palisade | 34 MPG |
| 5 | Lexus TX | 27 MPG |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | 24 MPG |
What Does a Explorer Cost to Fuel or Charge?
Pick a Explorer, then enter your gas price (or electricity rate for an electric version) and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
Explorer MPG Questions
Which Explorer year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2020 Explorer HEV RWD holds the top EPA rating at 28 MPG combined (27 city, 29 highway). Among 2026 models, the Explorer RWD is rated at 24 MPG combined.
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid Explorer?
The 2020 to 2024 Explorer RWD with the 2.3L 4-cylinder and rear-wheel drive is rated at 24 MPG combined (21 city, 28 highway).
Is there still a gas-only Explorer?
Yes. The 2026 Explorer lineup includes 6 gas-only versions, rated 19 to 24 MPG combined.
Does four-wheel drive hurt Explorer fuel economy?
Not by much. On the 2027 Explorer, the best rear-wheel drive version is rated at 23 MPG combined and the best four-wheel drive version at 23 MPG.
How efficient is the electric Explorer?
The most efficient 2002 Explorer USPS Electric is rated at 39 MPGe combined, which works out to 87 kWh per 100 miles. Its EPA range is 38 miles.
Why doesn't my Explorer match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, passengers and cargo, roof racks, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one vehicle against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
Keep Going
Where These Numbers Come From
Cedrick Reese built this page from the EPA fuel economy file published on fueleconomy.gov. It has 288 ratings for the Explorer from 1991 to 2027, and every one of them is shown in the table. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. Electric versions are rated in MPGe, the EPA's miles-per-gallon equivalent, and the table also shows their official range. The page is rebuilt whenever the EPA publishes an updated file, which picks up new model years and any rating corrections. The cost calculator uses the gas or electricity price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov