2016 Ford Explorer MPG

The 2016 Ford Explorer gets between 18 and 22 mpg combined. But how does that compare to other family-friendly SUVs?
Written by Thidas Senanayaka
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
The 2016 Ford Explorer’s EPA-estimated fuel economy depends on the trim you own, engine, and drivetrain. You can expect to have an mpg between 18-22 combined depending on your trim and driving conditions. 
Although nothing is perfect, the 2016 Ford Explorer may come dangerously close if you’re looking for an affordable family-friendly SUV. Edmunds puts it at the top of its class thanks to great technological features, comfortable ride quality, and passenger space in the 2016 redesign. 
But what about its fuel economy? It’s definitely an important thing to look at when deciding which vehicle is right for you. This guide has got you covered. Keep reading to find out what the fuel economy is on the 2016 Explorer, along with some extra tips on how to increase your car’s fuel efficiency. 
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2016 Ford Explorer fuel economy

The 2016 Explorer’s combined miles per gallon (mpg) rating as estimated by the EPA changes depending on the trim you own, drivetrain, and engine. 
There are five trims: the Base, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. Standard on the first three is a 3.5-liter V6, with an optional 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine available. The Sport and Platinum trims come with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6.
With the Base, XLT, and Limited trims, you can expect 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway). If you’ve equipped all-wheel drive (AWD), this will drop slightly to 19 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway). If you have the optional 2.3-liter engine, fuel economy is 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway) with FWD or 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway) with AWD. 
The Explorer and Platinum have automatic transmission and AWD standard. You can get 18 mpg combined with these trims, with 16 mpg for city and 22 mpg for highway driving. 
Your car’s gas tank capacity is 18.6 gallons and requires flex-fuel (unleaded or E85) to perform as advertised. According to Edmunds, the cost to drive a 2016 Ford Explorer can be as low as $238 and as high as $256 per month (with higher trims costing more). This is actually lower than the $293 per month cost estimated on the average large SUV. 
Remember that fuel economy can vary based on where you drive and some of your driving habits. Where you live can matter, too—gas prices vary state by state, and this can skew fuel costs either in or against your favor. 
MORE: How to pass emissions testing

Is the 2016 Ford Explorer good on gas? 

So, is the 2016 Ford Explorer a “good choice” when it comes to fuel economy? The answer is a bit complicated. Simply put, if you’re buying a large vehicle, you should give up any hopes of exceptional fuel economy right now. 
That doesn’t mean the Explorer doesn’t provide a better option than competitors, though. The Base trim with the V6 actually has gas mileage in line with other seven-seaters, meaning the four-cylinder with 22 mpg combined is slightly better than the competition. 
You will have to sacrifice some acceleration, but the Ford offers some relatively efficient options with the 2016 Explorer. 

How to improve fuel efficiency for a 2016 Ford Explorer

There are several ways you can control your car’s fuel economy—even if you can’t change what the engine is capable of, you can modify your driving habits to maximize your use of fuel:
  • Change your habits. Simple changes like accelerating more gently, maintaining steady speeds, avoiding variations in high speed, and coasting to decelerate can help save on fuel consumption and associated costs. 
  • Use your vehicle’s features. Features like cruise control are there to help you! Using cruise control in highway driving can help you avoid fuel-consuming variations in speed and help you improve your fuel economy. 
  • Regular maintenance. In addition to boosting your safety, having your tires properly inflated can avoid increasing fuel consumption by up to 4%.  
  • Track your consumption. Either use a fuel consumption tracker, if your Explorer has the feature, or track your consumption manually. Maintaining a record is good to make sure you’re changing your habits—and keeping track of what isn’t working. 
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