2016 Ford Explorer MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Ford Explorer is rated 18 to 22 mpg combined across 7 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.3L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Ford Explorer · 7 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

22MPG combined

19 city 27 highway

$2,850 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.3L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $3,250 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,850 to $3,450 a year. Compared with 2015, the best gas version is down 1 mpg.

One of the Explorer years to avoid

The 2016 drew 659 owner complaints in its first three years, against 193 for a typical Explorer year (about 144 for a typical year since 2016): 3.4 times as many.

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

Every Explorer year ranked The 2016 Explorer's recalls and problems

Every 2016 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
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Explorer FWD	22 mpg	19 / 27	$2,850
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer AWD	21 mpg	18 / 26	$2,950
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer FWD	20 mpg	17 / 24	$3,100
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Explorer 2WD FFV · Flex-fuel (E85)	20 mpg	17 / 24	$3,100
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer AWD	19 mpg	16 / 23	$3,300
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Explorer AWD FFV · Flex-fuel (E85)	19 mpg	16 / 23	$3,300
3.5L turbo 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer AWD	18 mpg	16 / 22	$3,450

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,857	$238	$14,286
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$3,000	$250	$15,000
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,158	$263	$15,789
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$3,158	$263	$15,789
3.5L turbo 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,333	$278	$16,667

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

2016: gas 22 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 2016 Explorer compares

2016 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.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Murano Best: hybrid	29 mpg	24 mpg	$2,150
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,200
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: diesel	25 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Explorer This page Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450
GMC Acadia Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450
Buick Enclave Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450

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

2016 Explorer recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 2,467 owner complaints for the 2016 Explorer.

Owners most often describe power steering problems (273 complaints, 11%), then steering rack problems (259). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2016 Explorer recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2016 Ford Explorer's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 2.3L turbo 4-cyl gets 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 with AWD.

Does the 2016 Ford Explorer need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Ford Explorer version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Explorer's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 22 mpg, down 1 from 23.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.