2026 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2026 Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Ford Explorer is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,938 a year to fuel (24 MPG), versus $2,022 for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder (23 MPG). That's roughly $84 a year, or about $421 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford Explorer
- Nissan Pathfinder
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Nissan Pathfinder | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,938 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,022 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 23 MPG |
| 20 MPG | City | 21 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 27 MPG |
| 377 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 382 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 10-speed automatic | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder across model years
- Ford Explorer
- Nissan Pathfinder
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 91 2026 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer ranks 31st and the Nissan Pathfinder 33rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined and the Nissan Pathfinder 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Explorer vs. the Nissan Pathfinder per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,938 for the Ford Explorer and $2,022 for the Nissan Pathfinder.
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