2002-2005 Ford Explorer MPG & Fuel Cost

EPA rates the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer at 14–17 MPG combined across 45 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 17 MPG (15 city, 20 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 14–17 MPG; Electric: 39 MPGe.

The Sport Trac 4.0L 6-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 17 MPG, in 2002 and 2003. The lowest top rating, 16 MPG, was in 2004 and 2005.

Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The previous generation (2000-2001 Ford Explorer) is rated 15–18 MPG combined and costs $2,390–$4,360 a year to fuel; the 2002-2005 model is rated 14–17 MPG and costs $2,390–$4,670 a year.

Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,080 a year. Across all 8 configurations the cost runs $4,080–$4,670 a year. That is a $590 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

About $27.20 per 100 miles for the Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $27.20 and $31.13 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

The Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD is rated 14 city and 19 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 5 MPG.

The Explorer 4.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,080 a year to fuel, the same as the class median of $4,080, and less than 4 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 287 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.

The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080. EPA lists 8 configurations for 2005 against 8 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Ford Explorer for that year.