- Newest year: 2001
- Gas
- Electric
- Standard SUVs
2000-2001 Ford Explorer MPG & Fuel Cost
2 model years · 15–18 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2001. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2001 Ford Explorer at a glance
The 2000-2001 Ford Explorer covers 2 model years in the EPA database (27 configurations in all), rated 15–18 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2001, costs about $3,630 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD (18 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and electric. EPA changed the ratings in 2001.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2001 Ford Explorer by model year
What the 2001 Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$303
$3,630 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.05
Per 100 miles
$24.20
Five years
$18,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$210less a year
Class median $3,840 a year, MY2001
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Ford Explorer MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,630.
EPA range 38 miles.
See electric configurationsGas configurations (18)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| USPS 4.0L 6-cyl RWD | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| USPS FFV 4.0L 6-cyl RWD | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sport FFV 4.0L 6-cyl RWD | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sport 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
Show 8 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Explorer 5.0L 8-cyl RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Explorer 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Sport 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| USPS 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| USPS FFV 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Sport FFV 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
Electric configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Electric (Most efficient) | 2-Wheel Drive | 87 | 39 | 38 mi | $2,390 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
2000 Ford Explorer MPG
15–18 MPG · $3,630–$4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (8)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Explorer 5.0L 8-cyl RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd | 4.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD: $4,940 in California and $3,170 in Texas, a $1,770 difference.
- California $4,940
- Washington $4,570
- New York $3,630
- Florida $3,430
- Texas $3,170
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2001 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2000-2001 (UN105)
- 2002-2005 (U152)
- 2006-2010 (U251)
- 2011-2019 (5th gen)
- 2020-2027* (6th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2001 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates the 2000-2001 Ford Explorer at 15–18 MPG combined across 27 configurations and 2 model years. The most efficient version, the 2001 Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 18 MPG (16 city, 20 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 15–18 MPG; Electric: 39 MPGe.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2001 Ford Explorer?
Every model year of the 2000-2001 Ford Explorer tops out at 18 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2001 Ford Explorer?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Ford Explorer per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,630 a year. Across all 19 configurations the cost runs $2,390–$4,360 a year. That is a $1,970 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2001 Ford Explorer 100 miles?
About $24.20 per 100 miles for the Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.93 and $29.07 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD is rated 16 city and 20 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 4 MPG.
How does the 2001 Ford Explorer compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Sport 4.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,630 a year to fuel, $210 less than the class median of $3,840, and less than 6 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 200 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2001, not weighted by sales.
What is the range and charging cost of the 2001 Ford Explorer?
EPA rates the range at 38 miles depending on configuration, and the USPS Electric 2-Wheel Drive goes 38 mi. Efficiency is 87 kWh per 100 miles (39 MPGe). At residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026), charging costs $2,390 a year, or $15.93 per 100 miles for the USPS Electric 2-Wheel Drive.
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer different from the 2000 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,630. EPA lists 19 configurations for 2001 against 8 configurations for 2000. See the 2000 Ford Explorer for that year.