2019 Ford Explorer MPG

The 2019 Ford Explorer gets 20 combined MPG when equipped with the base V6 engine. Upgrading to a turbo four-cylinder may improve fuel economy.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The 2019 Ford Explorer gets 17 city/24 highway/20 combined MPG if you opt for the base trim, which comes with a V6 engine. You’ll get better fuel economy in the four-cylinder
Limited
trim, which gets 19 city/27 highway/22 combined MPG.
There are three engine options for the 2019 Ford Explorer: the 3.5-liter V6 is standard while the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 are available as upgrades. You’ll get the most power from the 3.5-liter V6, but also the worst MPG ratings out of the three, with 16 city/22 highway/18 combined MPG
Let's reveiw how the Ford Explorer’s MPG specs hold up against the competition in the three-row midsize SUV category and what you can expect to pay for
car insurance
with this vehicle.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

2019 Ford Explorer fuel economy

Fuel economy has a lot to do with the size of your Explorer’s engine, but the drivetrain you choose will also affect the MPG rating. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard on the 2019 Ford Explorer, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD), which is a standard feature on the upper trims,
Sport
and
Platinum
. AWD vehicles are heavier and send more power to all four wheels which causes them to expend fuel more quickly. 
The fuel tank capacity of the 2019 Ford Explorer is 18.6 gallons. The experts at Edmunds estimate the monthly cost of driving the mid-tier
XLT
trim will be about $179 per month—while the average cost of driving a midsize SUV is $191 per month and a large SUV costs $234 per month. Of course, the true figure depends on where you live and how often you drive. 

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer good on gas? 

Gas mileage for the V6 version of the 2019 Ford Explorer is OK. In other words, if you’re shopping around for a used midsize SUV with a V6 engine, there will be plenty of options with similar MPG ratings.
If getting great gas mileage is at the top of your must-have list, you won’t be able to beat a hybrid. A 2021
Kia Sorento Hybrid S
costs about $2,000 more than a 2019 Ford Explorer base and has standard-setting fuel economy in the three-row category with an EPA-estimated 37 combined MPG
Not feeling the hybrid? A 2019 gas-powered
Toyota Highlander LE
is very close in price to the Explorer of the same year (if not cheaper), and gets 20 city/24 highway/22 combined MPG courtesy of an inline four-cylinder. To get a V6 engine, you’ll need to upgrade to at least a Highlander LE Plus, which will bring the fuel economy down a bit to 21 city/27 highway/23 combined MPG.
MORE: Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

How to improve fuel efficiency for a 2019 Ford Explorer

No matter what size engine you’re working with, you can improve fuel efficiency for your 2019 Ford Explorer by practicing a few basic habits like: 
  • Take advantage of your cruise control. When you’re heavy-footed on the brake, gas, or both, you tend to use more gas than necessary as you drive. Switching on cruise control for highway drives will keep your foot off the pedals and help conserve gas. 
  • Keep your SUV clean. Don’t wait until the onset of spring to do an annual cleanup of your vehicle. Instead, make an effort to not accumulate unnecessary cargo—it can weigh the vehicle down. The heavier the vehicle, the quicker it burns up fuel. 
  • Stick to a
    maintenance schedule
    . Mechanical issues cause your vehicle to work harder than it should and in turn, it uses more gas. Keep up with regular oil changes, tire rotations, and more and you’ll end up saving money on gas in the
    long run
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings