- Newest year: 2019
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
2011-2019 Ford Explorer MPG & Fuel Cost
9 model years · 18–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2019. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2011-2019 Ford Explorer at a glance
The 2011-2019 Ford Explorer covers 9 model years in the EPA database (53 configurations in all), rated 18–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2019, costs about $3,000 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD (22 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The best combined rating in the generation, 23 MPG, was reached in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
2011-2019 Ford Explorer by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2018 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,570 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,560 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $3,000–$3,560 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Gas | 18–23 MPG | $2,900–$3,570 | Ratings changed |
| 2014 | Gas | 18–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,560 | Ratings changed |
| 2013 | Gas | 18–23 MPG | $2,890–$3,550 | Ratings changed |
| 2012 | Gas | 19–23 MPG | $2,890–$3,450 | Ratings changed |
| 2011 | Gas | 19–20 MPG | $3,240–$3,450 | First year |
What the 2019 Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs to drive
Per month
$250
$3,000 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.00
Per 100 miles
$20.00
Five years
$15,000
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$770less a year
Class median $3,770 a year, MY2019
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2019 Ford Explorer MPG
Versus 2018: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,000.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,000 |
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,150 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,340 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,340 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,510 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,540 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,670 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2018 Ford Explorer MPG
18–22 MPG · $3,000–$3,570/yr
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,000.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,000 |
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,160 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,330 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,530 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,570 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2017 Ford Explorer MPG
18–22 MPG · $3,000–$3,560/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,000.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,000 |
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,160 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,330 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,330 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,510 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,510 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,560 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2016 Ford Explorer MPG
18–22 MPG · $3,000–$3,560/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 22 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,900 to $3,000, $100 more.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,000 |
| Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,150 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,330 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,330 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,510 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,510 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,560 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2015 Ford Explorer MPG
18–23 MPG · $2,900–$3,570/yr
Versus 2014: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,880 to $2,900, $20 more.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,570 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2014 Ford Explorer MPG
18–23 MPG · $2,880–$3,560/yr
Versus 2013: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,890 to $2,880, $10 less.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,880 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,560 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2013 Ford Explorer MPG
18–23 MPG · $2,890–$3,550/yr
Versus 2012: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,890.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,890 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,320 |
| FFV 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,460 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | AWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2012 Ford Explorer MPG
19–23 MPG · $2,890–$3,450/yr
Versus 2011: The most efficient configuration moves from 20 to 23 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $3,240 to $2,890, $350 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,890 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,450 |
2011 Ford Explorer MPG
19–20 MPG · $3,240–$3,450/yr
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,240 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,240 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 6-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,450 |
| Explorer 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic (S6) | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,450 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD: $4,090 in California and $2,620 in Texas, a $1,470 difference.
- California $4,090
- Washington $3,790
- New York $3,000
- Florida $2,840
- Texas $2,620
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2019 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 2011-2019 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer at 18–23 MPG combined across 53 configurations and 9 model years. The most efficient version, the 2015 Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 23 MPG (20 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer?
The Explorer 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 23 MPG, in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The lowest top rating, 20 MPG, was in 2011.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
How does the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2006-2010 Ford Explorer) is rated 15–17 MPG combined and costs $3,840–$4,360 a year to fuel; the 2011-2019 model is rated 18–23 MPG and costs $2,880–$3,670 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Ford Explorer per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,000 a year. Across all 7 configurations the cost runs $3,000–$3,670 a year. That is a $670 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2019 Ford Explorer 100 miles?
About $20.00 per 100 miles for the Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $20.00 and $24.47 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2019 Ford Explorer more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD is rated 19 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2019 Ford Explorer compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Explorer 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,000 a year to fuel, $770 less than the class median of $3,770, and less than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 151 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2019, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2019 Ford Explorer different from the 2018 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,000. EPA lists 7 configurations for 2019 against 7 configurations for 2018. See the 2018 Ford Explorer for that year.