2019 Ford Explorer MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2019 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
2019 Ford Explorer · 7 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
22MPG combined
19 city 27 highway
$2,950 a year to fuel
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 $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,950 to $3,600 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2018.
Every 2019 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 | $2,950 |
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Explorer AWD |
21 mpg | 18 / 25 | $3,100 |
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Explorer FWD |
20 mpg | 17 / 24 | $3,250 |
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)
EPA listing: Explorer 2WD FFV · Flex-fuel (E85) |
20 mpg | 17 / 24 | $3,250 |
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Explorer AWD |
19 mpg | 16 / 22 | $3,400 |
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)
EPA listing: Explorer AWD FFV · Flex-fuel (E85) |
18 mpg | 16 / 22 | $3,600 |
3.5L turbo 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Explorer AWD |
18 mpg | 16 / 22 | $3,600 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic | $2,945 | $14,727 |
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,086 | $15,429 |
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) | $3,240 | $16,200 |
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,240 | $16,200 |
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,411 | $17,053 |
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) | $3,600 | $18,000 |
3.5L turbo 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,600 | $18,000 |
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: 22 to 24 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2026); 24 since 2020. Hybrid: 27 to 28 mpg (2020 to 2023); highest in 2020.
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2019: gas 22 mpg · hybrid not offeredTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid version |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | – |
How the 2019 Explorer compares
2019 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.
| 2019 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,250 |
Best: diesel |
24 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,100 |
Ford Explorer This page Best: gas |
22 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,950 |
2019 Explorer recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 296 owner complaints for the 2019 Explorer.What they cover, and crash test ratingsQuestions
Does AWD lower the 2019 Ford Explorer's gas mileage?
Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 to 2 mpg: the 2.3L turbo 4-cyl gets 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 with AWD.
Does the 2019 Ford Explorer need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2019 Ford Explorer version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2019 Explorer's MPG compare with the 2018?
For 2019, the best gas version is rated 22 mpg, the same as the year before.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 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.