20 MPG combined is what you can expect from the 2018 Ford Edge AWD with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6. Many buyers know this going in and factor it into their budget. They understand they are choosing power and all-weather capability over saving on gas. This is not a Prius; it’s a mid-size SUV designed to carry families and cargo with decent power, and the fuel economy reflects that.

City and highway performance

The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Edge AWD 2.7L at 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure will stand out most for drivers who spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic. The 2.7L EcoBoost, while strong, burns fuel to produce its satisfying torque, which can hurt efficiency in urban driving. The 24 MPG highway figure is achievable and reasonable if drivers maintain consistent speeds and avoid accelerating too quickly. You’ll see best gas mileage during relaxed highway cruising. The 6-speed automatic transmission helps keep the engine operating efficiently, but the turbocharger still uses more fuel when accelerating.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Ford Edge AWD 2.7L at $2,200. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and average national gas prices. Your actual fuel costs will depend on your driving habits, local gas prices, and the type of fuel you use. Driving aggressively or always using premium fuel will increase this figure, while driving conservatively and finding cheaper gas could reduce it.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are only a benchmark. Actual gas mileage often varies. Some owners state that with careful driving, they get within 1-2 MPG of the official numbers. However, expect lower numbers if you often drive the Edge hard, especially if you use the paddle shifters to get the most power from the engine. Towing will also significantly decrease fuel economy, as will consistent short trips where the engine doesn’t fully warm up. The AWD system has a small impact on fuel economy, most noticeable in city driving, but it increases driver confidence in bad weather. Check out all Ford fuel economy data to compare to other models.

How it compares

Compared to other mid-size SUVs with similar performance and AWD, the 2018 Ford Edge AWD 2.7L’s fuel economy is about average. A 2018 Toyota Highlander AWD with its 3.5L V6 gets around 22 MPG combined, offering slightly better gas mileage. The Nissan Murano AWD, with its 3.5L V6, gets about the same gas mileage as the Highlander. A 2018 Honda CR-V AWD with the 1.5L turbo gets a much better 29 MPG combined, but it doesn’t accelerate as quickly as the Edge and can’t tow as much.

Within the Ford family, you can see the EDGE MPG across all years for a wider view. When choosing a 2018 Edge, consider what you want most: performance or lower fuel costs.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Watch traffic to avoid hard acceleration and braking. The 2.7L EcoBoost responds well to smooth, consistent use of the gas pedal. Hold back on quickly using a lot of power, as the turbocharger will engage and burn more fuel. Keeping a steady speed, especially on the highway, is key to getting the Edge’s best gas mileage.

Make sure your tires have the correct amount of air as shown on the sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb. Tires that don’t have enough air create more resistance which hurts fuel mileage. Check and adjust your tire pressure regularly, especially as the weather changes.

Don’t idle for too long. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turning off the engine saves more gas. Modern engines start quickly, so you won’t waste fuel by restarting.

Remove extra weight from the vehicle. More weight requires more energy to accelerate and keep speed, which hurts gas mileage.

Consider using cruise control on the highway. Cruise control helps keep a constant speed, which can improve gas mileage, especially on long drives. Cruise allows you to avoid unknowingly speeding up.