Ford Explorer MPG by Year
EPA rates the best gas Explorer of each model year at 17 to 24 mpg combined and the best hybrid at 27 to 28 mpg (2020 to 2023).
Every year from 2010 to 2026 is below, with city and highway ratings and EPA's yearly cost to run each version.
Every Explorer model year
Newest first. Each cell is the best-rated version of that kind that year, with its city and highway ratings and EPA's yearly cost to run it. Open a year for every version.
| Model year | Best gas | Best hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 24 mpg 20 city / 29 hwy $2,800 a year | – | |
| 24 mpg 20 city / 29 hwy $2,800 a year | – | |
| 24 mpg 21 city / 28 hwy $2,800 a year | – | |
| 24 mpg 21 city / 28 hwy $2,800 a year | 27 mpg 27 city / 28 hwy $2,500 a year | |
| 24 mpg 21 city / 28 hwy $2,800 a year | 27 mpg 27 city / 28 hwy $2,500 a year | |
| 24 mpg 21 city / 28 hwy $2,800 a year | 27 mpg 27 city / 28 hwy $2,500 a year | |
| 24 mpg 21 city / 28 hwy $2,800 a year | 28 mpg 27 city / 29 hwy $2,400 a year | |
| 22 mpg 19 city / 27 hwy $3,050 a year | – | |
| 22 mpg 19 city / 27 hwy $3,050 a year | – | |
| 22 mpg 19 city / 27 hwy $3,050 a year | – | |
| 22 mpg 19 city / 27 hwy $3,050 a year | – | |
| 23 mpg 20 city / 27 hwy $2,900 a year | – | |
| 23 mpg 20 city / 28 hwy $2,900 a year | – | |
| 23 mpg 20 city / 27 hwy $2,900 a year | – | |
| 23 mpg 20 city / 27 hwy $2,900 a year | – | |
| 20 mpg 18 city / 25 hwy $3,350 a year | – | |
| 17 mpg 15 city / 21 hwy $3,950 a year | – |
When the best ratings changed
Each year against the model year before it. Years not listed kept the same best ratings.
- 2011 Gas up 3 mpg to 20
- 2012 Gas up 3 mpg to 23
- 2016 Gas down 1 mpg to 22
- 2020 Gas up 2 mpg to 24; hybrid version added, at 28 mpg
- 2021 Hybrid down 1 mpg to 27
- 2024 No hybrid version
Ford Explorer best combined rating by model year
The best-rated gas and hybrid version of each model year, from EPA.
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2026: gas 24 mpg · hybrid not offeredTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| 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 | – |
Explorer years to avoid and problems by year
How the Explorer's fuel economy since 2010 compares with 54 other models
Questions
Which Ford Explorer year has the best MPG?
By EPA's ratings, the best gas Explorer gets 24 mpg combined (2020 to 2026); the best hybrid version gets 28 mpg (2020).
How much better is the Explorer hybrid's MPG?
In 2023, EPA rates the best Explorer hybrid at 27 mpg combined, against 24 mpg for the best gas version: 3 mpg more.
How much does a year of fuel cost for a Ford Explorer?
At EPA's current prices and 15,000 miles a year, the best gas version costs $2,800 (2020 to 2026) to $3,950 (2010); the best hybrid version costs $2,400 (2020) to $2,500 (2021 to 2023). Each year's page has the cost of every version.
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. The yearly cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles, 55% of them in the city; a plug-in hybrid's assumes EPA's typical mix of charging and gas.
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.