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Ford owner guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Ford Explorer MPG: 2027 and 2026 EPA Ratings
Explorer fuel economy depends on the engine, rear- or all-wheel drive and the model you choose. This guide lists the 2027 and 2026 Ford Explorer ratings on fueleconomy.gov, the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA fuel economy site, read November 3, 2026, and explains what can change the mileage you actually see.
23 mpgcombined, 2027 Explorer 2.3L, RWD or AWD
28 mpghighway, 2027 Explorer RWD 2.3L
19-21 mpgcombined, 2027 Explorer 3.0L listings
Regularfuel type on every 2026 and 2027 listing
What MPG does a Ford Explorer get?
Fueleconomy.gov rates the 2027 Ford Explorer with the 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg with RWD and 20/27/23 with AWD. Listings with the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder are rated 19 to 21 combined, and the Explorer Tremor AWD 19 or 20 combined. EPA ratings are for comparison; your mileage will vary.
2027 Ford Explorer MPG by listing
These are all of the 2027 Explorer listings on fueleconomy.gov, with the drive, engines and transmissions as fueleconomy.gov shows them. *MPG is city / highway / combined.
| fueleconomy.gov listing | Engine and transmission | MPG* |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| Explorer AWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| Explorer RWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| Explorer RWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| Explorer AWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| Explorer AWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 17 / 22 / 19 |
From the 2027 Ford Explorer records on fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), records 50797 to 50799 and 50817 to 50821, read November 3, 2026. All listings show regular gasoline.
2026 Ford Explorer MPG by listing
Shopping a 2026 Explorer? These are the 2026 listings on fueleconomy.gov. *MPG is city / highway / combined.
| fueleconomy.gov listing | Engine and transmission | MPG* |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 20 / 29 / 24 |
| Explorer AWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic 10-speed | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| Explorer RWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| Explorer AWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 2.3L turbo 4-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 3.0L turbo 6-cyl, Automatic (S10) | 17 / 22 / 19 |
From the 2026 Ford Explorer records on fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), records 49877, 49878, 49906 to 49908 and 50012, read November 3, 2026. All listings show regular gasoline.
You can see the current Explorer lineup on our new Ford Explorer page.
How to read the Explorer ratings
The 2.3-liter RWD and AWD listings have the best ratings in both years. For 2027 they are rated 23 combined mpg with either RWD or AWD, with 28 highway mpg for RWD and 27 for AWD. The 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder listings are rated 19 to 21 combined, and the Explorer Tremor AWD is rated 20 combined with the 2.3-liter and 19 with the 3.0-liter.
Fueleconomy.gov lists two 2027 transmission entries for some 3.0-liter models, Automatic 10-speed and Automatic (S10), and rates them separately. For example, the 2027 Explorer RWD 3.0-liter is rated 21 combined with the Automatic 10-speed and 20 with the Automatic (S10).
From the 2026 and 2027 Ford Explorer records on fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 3, 2026.
What lowers real-world Explorer MPG
EPA ratings come from standardized tests designed to reflect typical driving conditions and driver behavior. Fueleconomy.gov says the ratings are a useful tool for comparing vehicles but may not accurately predict the average MPG you will get. It lists factors including:
How you drive
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Excessive idling also lowers MPG.
Cold weather and short trips
Your engine does not operate efficiently until it is warmed up, and in colder weather it takes longer to warm. Letting the car idle to warm up does not help fuel economy.
Roof cargo, towing and weight
Cargo boxes and other roof cargo add aerodynamic drag, and towing or carrying excessive weight lowers fuel economy. Test vehicles are assumed to carry only 300 pounds of passengers and cargo.
Terrain and speed
Hilly or mountainous terrain and unpaved roads can reduce fuel economy; the EPA test assumes flat ground. The tests account for aerodynamic drag up to highway speeds of 80 mph.
Maintenance
A poorly tuned engine burns more fuel, improperly aligned or inflated tires increase rolling resistance, and brake drag can make the engine work harder.
Fuel and break-in
Gasoline with 10% ethanol decreases fuel economy by 3% to 4%, and new vehicles will not reach their optimal fuel economy until the engine has broken in, which may take 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
From fueleconomy.gov, Factors That Affect Fuel Economy and fueleconomy.gov, Your Mileage Will Vary, read November 3, 2026.
Keep your Explorer efficient at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Fueleconomy.gov notes that improperly aligned or inflated tires and brake drag can cost fuel economy. For more ways to save fuel, read our guide on how to get better gas mileage.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Ford Explorer MPG FAQ
What gas mileage does a 2027 Ford Explorer get?
Fueleconomy.gov lists the 2027 Explorer with the 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg with rear-wheel drive, and 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg with all-wheel drive. Listings with the 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder are rated 19 to 21 combined mpg.
Which Explorer gets the best gas mileage?
For 2027, the Explorer RWD with the 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder has the best ratings: 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. The 2.3-liter AWD matches it at 23 combined. For 2026, the 2.3-liter RWD listing was rated 24 combined.
How much MPG does AWD cost on an Explorer?
With the 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder, the 2027 Explorer is rated 23 combined mpg with either RWD or AWD; the highway rating drops from 28 to 27. With the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder and the Automatic 10-speed transmission, the rating goes from 21 combined with RWD to 20 with AWD.
What MPG does the Explorer Tremor get?
Fueleconomy.gov lists the 2027 Explorer Tremor AWD at 18 city, 22 highway and 20 combined mpg with the 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder, and 17 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg with the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder.
Did the Explorer MPG change from 2026 to 2027?
Slightly for some listings. The 2.3-liter RWD Explorer was rated 24 combined for 2026 and is rated 23 for 2027, while the 2.3-liter AWD is rated 23 combined in both years. Compare the two tables on this page for the full list.
What fuel does the Explorer use?
Every 2026 and 2027 Explorer listing on fueleconomy.gov shows regular gasoline as the fuel type.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Want to compare Explorers in person?
See the current Explorer lineup on our new Ford Explorer page, or schedule service with the Michigan City Ford team.
Sources
Explorer fuel economy ratings, engines, transmissions and fuel type are from the 2027 and 2026 Ford Explorer records on fueleconomy.gov, administered for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read November 3, 2026. Factors that affect mileage are from fueleconomy.gov's Factors That Affect Fuel Economy and Your Mileage Will Vary pages, read the same day. Service details, address, hours and the photo are from Michigan City Ford's own website.
- 2027 Ford Explorer RWD, AWD and Tremor AWD: EPA city, highway and combined mpg, engine, transmission and fuel type (records 50797 to 50799, 50817 to 50821; link opens record 50798), fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 3, 2026
- 2026 Ford Explorer RWD, AWD and Tremor AWD: EPA city, highway and combined mpg, engine, transmission and fuel type (records 49877, 49878, 49906 to 49908, 50012; link opens record 49878), fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 3, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Factors That Affect Fuel Economy, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 3, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Your Mileage Will Vary, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 3, 2026
- How to get better gas mileage, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- New Ford Explorer model page and new-inventory listing (hero photo), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- Address and hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026