2010 Ford Explorer MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2010 Ford Explorer is rated 15 to 17 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 4.6L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2010 Ford Explorer · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

17MPG combined

15 city 21 highway

$3,950 a year to fuel

4.6L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $7,750 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,950 to $4,450 a year.

Fewer complaints than a typical Explorer year

The 2010 drew 46 owner complaints in its first three years, against 193 for a typical Explorer year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2015 to 2017; best years: 2019 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Explorer year ranked The 2010 Explorer's recalls and problems

Every 2010 Explorer version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
4.6L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Explorer 2WD	17 mpg	15 / 21	$3,950
4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer 2WD	16 mpg	14 / 20	$4,200
4.6L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer 4WD	16 mpg	14 / 19	$4,200
4.0L 6-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer 4WD	15 mpg	13 / 19	$4,450

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
4.6L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,944	$329	$19,721
4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic	$4,191	$349	$20,953
4.6L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$4,191	$349	$20,953
4.0L 6-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic	$4,470	$373	$22,350

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Ford Explorer MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 24 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 24 since 2020. Hybrid: 27 to 28 mpg (2020 to 2023); highest in 2020.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2010: gas 17 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Ford Explorer best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	17	–
2011	20	–
2012	23	–
2013	23	–
2014	23	–
2015	23	–
2016	22	–
2017	22	–
2018	22	–
2019	22	–
2020	24	28
2021	24	27
2022	24	27
2023	24	27
2024	24	–
2025	24	–
2026	24	–

Every Explorer year's ratings in one table

How the 2010 Explorer compares

2010 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2010 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	21 mpg	$2,750
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	26 mpg	22 mpg	$2,600
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Ford Edge Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Nissan Murano Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$4,100
Honda Pilot Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
GMC Acadia Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Buick Enclave Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$4,550
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,700
Ford Explorer This page Best: gas	17 mpg	17 mpg	$3,950

Ford Explorer vs Toyota HighlanderMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2010 Explorer recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 115 owner complaints for the 2010 Explorer.

Owners most often describe unintended acceleration (9 complaints, 8%), then stalling (6).

See the 2010 Explorer recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2010 Ford Explorer's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 4.6L 8-cyl gets 17 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 16 with 4WD.

Does the 2010 Ford Explorer need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2010 Ford Explorer version on regular gasoline.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.