Ford · 1991–2027 · Gas / Flex-fuel
Ford Explorer MPG by year
The EPA has rated 37 model years of the Ford Explorer, from 1991 to 2027. The most fuel-efficient year is the 2026, at 24 MPG combined in its best configuration. The best 2027 model is 28% more efficient than the best 1991 model (23 vs. 18 MPG). The 2027 model is 5% more efficient than the median midsize or large SUV that year (23 vs. 22 MPG).
Combined MPG by model year
- Explorer, most efficient version
- Range across configurations
- Class median
Shaded band: range across that year's configurations. Class median: same-year models in the same class, rated in MPG. Click a point to open that model year; the table below lists every value.
Every Explorer model year
| Year | Type | Best combined | City / Hwy | Class median | Range | Configs | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Gas | 23 MPG lowest 19 |
20 / 28 | 22 | — | 7 | $2,022 |
| 2026 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 19 |
20 / 29 | 22 | — | 6 | $1,938 |
| 2025 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
20 / 29 | 21 | — | 5 | $1,938 |
| 2024 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
21 / 28 | 21 | — | 7 | $1,938 |
| 2023 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
21 / 28 | 20 | — | 11 | $1,938 |
| 2022 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
21 / 28 | 20 | — | 10 | $1,938 |
| 2021 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
21 / 28 | 20 | — | 6 | $1,938 |
| 2020 | Gas | 24 MPG lowest 20 |
21 / 28 | 19.5 | — | 4 | $1,938 |
| 2019 | Gas | 22 MPG lowest 18 |
19 / 27 | 20 | — | 7 | $2,114 |
| 2018 | Gas | 22 MPG lowest 18 |
19 / 27 | 20 | — | 7 | $2,114 |
| 2017 | Gas | 22 MPG lowest 18 |
19 / 27 | 19 | — | 7 | $2,114 |
| 2016 | Gas | 22 MPG lowest 18 |
19 / 27 | 19 | — | 7 | $2,114 |
| 2015 | Gas | 23 MPG lowest 18 |
20 / 27 | 19 | — | 6 | $2,022 |
| 2014 | Gas | 23 MPG lowest 18 |
20 / 28 | 19 | — | 6 | $2,022 |
| 2013 | Gas | 23 MPG lowest 18 |
20 / 27 | 19 | — | 6 | $2,022 |
| 2012 | Gas | 23 MPG lowest 19 |
20 / 27 | 20 | — | 3 | $2,022 |
| 2011 | Gas | 20 MPG lowest 19 |
18 / 25 | 19.5 | — | 2 | $2,325 |
| 2010 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 15 |
15 / 21 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,735 |
| 2009 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 15 |
15 / 21 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,735 |
| 2008 | Gas | 16 MPG lowest 15 |
14 / 20 | 16 | — | 4 | $2,906 |
| 2007 | Gas | 16 MPG lowest 15 |
13 / 20 | 18 | — | 5 | $2,906 |
| 2006 | Gas | 16 MPG lowest 15 |
14 / 19 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,906 |
| 2005 | Gas | 16 MPG lowest 14 |
14 / 19 | 17 | — | 6 | $2,906 |
| 2004 | Flex-fuel | 16 MPG | 14 / 20 | 17 | — | 6 | $2,906 |
| 2003 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 15 |
15 / 20 | 17 | — | 10 | $2,735 |
| 2002 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 14 |
15 / 20 | 16.5 | — | 11 | $2,735 |
| 2001 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 15 |
16 / 20 | 17 | — | 11 | $2,583 |
| 2000 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 15 |
16 / 21 | 16 | — | 8 | $2,583 |
| 1999 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 14 |
16 / 21 | 16 | — | 7 | $2,583 |
| 1998 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 14 |
15 / 20 | 17 | — | 8 | $2,735 |
| 1997 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 14 |
16 / 22 | 18 | — | 8 | $2,583 |
| 1996 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 14 |
16 / 21 | 18 | — | 6 | $2,583 |
| 1995 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 15 |
16 / 21 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,583 |
| 1994 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 15 |
16 / 20 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,583 |
| 1993 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 16 |
16 / 22 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,583 |
| 1992 | Gas | 17 MPG lowest 15 |
15 / 20 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,735 |
| 1991 | Gas | 18 MPG lowest 16 |
16 / 21 | 17 | — | 4 | $2,583 |
Fuel cost uses today's default prices for every year so model years compare like for like. Sort any column.
Compare Explorer model years
See how much a newer Explorer would save over an older one.
Models similar to the Ford Explorer
Other Ford Explorer versions
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer year has the best fuel economy?
The 2020 Ford Explorer, rated up to 24 MPG combined. At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, that works out to about $1,938 a year.
Which Ford Explorer year has the worst fuel economy?
The 2004 model, whose most efficient version is rated 16 MPG combined (about $2,906 a year to fuel).
What is the fuel economy of the latest Ford Explorer?
The 2027 Ford Explorer is rated up to 23 MPG combined.