Ford Explorer Gas Mileage: 1991 – 2013

The iconic Ford Explorer was introduced in the 1991 model year, setting the stage for the SUV era. Although the Explorer was a best-seller for Ford, gas mileage has never been one of its strong suits.

The 2008 Ford Explorer (shown above) can be fitted with either a 4.0 liter V-6 or a 4.6 liter V-8 engine. The V-6 produces 210 horsepower (HP) and 254 foot pounds of torque, while the V-8 produces 292 HP and 300 foot pounds of torque. The V-6 is mated to a five-speed automatic, while the V-8 is mated to a six-speed automatic. Both transmissions are equipped with overdrive.

Now in its fourth generation, the Explorer is poised for a remake. The Ford Explorer America concept, first unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show points to a new green direction. The move from body-on-frame to unibody construction and a lighter weight, along with a new direct injection EcoBoost engine should allow the next generation Explorer to be significantly more fuel efficient than the present model.

Given Ford’s emphasis on direct injection gasoline technology, it appears unlikely that the new Explorer will be fitted with a fuel-efficient diesel engine in the near future. The odds on a hybrid Explorer are significantly lower.


Ford Explorer Gas Mileage – 1991-2013

Year Manf. Model Engine Disp. Trans. City Hwy. Comb. Fuel
2013 Ford Explorer FWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 24 20 Regular
2013 Ford Explorer FWD 4 cyl. 2 liter Auto 6-spd 20 28 23 Regular
2013 Ford Explorer AWD FFV 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 23 19 FlexFuel
2013 Ford Explorer AWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 16 22 18 Regular
2013 Ford Explorer 2WD FFV 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 24 20 FlexFuel
2012 Ford Explorer FWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 18 25 20 Regular
2012 Ford Explorer FWD 4 cyl. 2 liter Auto 6-spd 20 28 23 Regular
2012 Ford Explorer AWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 23 19 Regular
2011 Ford Explorer FWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto 6-spd 17 25 20 Regular
2011 Ford Explorer FWD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 25 20 Regular
2011 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto 6-spd 17 23 19 Regular
2011 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 3.5 liter Auto (S6) 17 23 19 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 15 21 17 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 15 21 17 Regular
2010 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 15 21 17 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 15 21 17 Regular
2009 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 20 16 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 20 16 Regular
2008 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 20 16 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 20 16 Regular
2007 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 Regular
2006 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2006 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2006 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 6-spd 13 19 15 Regular
2006 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 FlexFuel
2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 FlexFuel
2005 Ford Explorer FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 FlexFuel
2005 Ford Explorer FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 19 15 FlexFuel
2005 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 17 14 Regular
2005 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2005 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2005 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 FlexFuel
2004 Ford Explorer 4WD FFV 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2004 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2004 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2004 Ford Explorer 2WD FFV 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 20 16 FlexFuel
2004 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2004 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 18 16 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 19 16 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 17 15 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer 4WD FFV 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2003 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2003 Ford Explorer 2WD FFV 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2003 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer USPS Electric cyl. EV EV 45 33 39 Electricity
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 20 17 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2002 Ford Explorer FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 FlexFuel
2002 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 17 14 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 4.6 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2002 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer USPS FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 17 15 FlexFuel
2001 Ford Explorer USPS FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 FlexFuel
2001 Ford Explorer USPS Electric cyl. EV EV 45 33 39 Electricity
2001 Ford Explorer USPS 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer USPS 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 19 17 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport FFV 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 17 15 FlexFuel
2001 Ford Explorer Sport FFV 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 FlexFuel
2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer Sport 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 20 18 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2001 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 19 16 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 18 15 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 21 18 Regular
2000 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 17 15 FlexFuel
1999 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 17 14 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 13 18 15 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1999 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 21 18 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 18 15 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 16 Regular
1998 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 13 17 15 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 19 16 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 5-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1997 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 22 18 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 4WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 13 19 15 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 19 16 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 2WD 8 cyl. 5 liter Auto 4-spd 12 17 14 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 20 16 Regular
1996 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 21 18 Regular
1995 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1995 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1995 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1995 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 21 18 Regular
1994 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1994 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1994 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1994 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 20 18 Regular
1993 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 18 16 Regular
1993 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1993 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1993 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 22 18 Regular
1992 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 18 15 Regular
1992 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1992 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 15 20 16 Regular
1992 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 20 17 Regular
1991 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 14 19 16 Regular
1991 Ford Explorer 4WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 15 19 16 Regular
1991 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Auto 4-spd 15 20 16 Regular
1991 Ford Explorer 2WD 6 cyl. 4 liter Manual 5-spd 16 21 18 Regular

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5 thoughts on “Ford Explorer Gas Mileage: 1991 – 2013”

  1. hey everyone, i was on this website to check out the gas mileage on a 1991 Ford Explorer 2wd. To my surprise i am actually getting just under the gas mileage that it says. I get 15.5 miles to the gallon, I was getting like 8 miles to the gallon until I went to quaker state and started changing my fluids regularly and running a powerpack through.

  2. I drive a 91 explorer with 5 sp stick and 319k miles on it. The second junkyard trans is bad and the power steering leaks.the engine oozes oil from every seal. I have to use 50 wt. To slow consumption. It gets 19.8 city and 23.4 hwy. I commute 40+ miles 6 days wk. I keep telling myself I need to junk it and get an mpg veh. It keeps going and with cheap ins and no payments its like cheating and driving free. Every time I check the cost of even an old used car I am put off by the difference in total operating costs between this junkheap and even a 10 yr old veh. I’m going to drive it until it stops, then bag the ant and catch a cab.

  3. I have a 1999 model 2WD with the 4.0L V6 and I have done as good as 25 on the highway but would average around 19 overall before. I put a new set of all terrain tires on it and now I’m only averaging 17 or 18 now. I love the vehicle though and I’m planning on trying a few little things to add MPG like take an alternate route, go easier on the throttle and maybe get a tune up.

  4. I had a 98 Explorer XLT AWD 5.0 V8. I was given the truck about 7 years ago. I actually loved it except the gas mileage. About 3 years ago it overrheated & the heater hoses blew apart bre. aking a. part. I bypassed the heater core and got a few more years out of it. I spent last years tax refund fixing it up instead of getting a new used vehicle. New radiator, starter, water puml, thermostat, brakes & rotors. A neighbor fixed it and everything went fine until he changed the water pump. He broje a bolt coming off the engine block. He ket making excuses when asked about tapping the bolt. he did rig it up and amazingly it ran fine the way he secured & sealed it but still u couldnt trust it for long trips. The v8 ford is an amazing engine. Any other car wouldve died long ago. I would think twice about letting any old shadetree mechanic fix the water pump

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