Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer with front-wheel drive and the 3.5L V6 engine get about 20 MPG combined. If you need the Explorer’s spaciousness, practicality, and good looks, this is the fuel economy to expect. It’s not a fuel-sipping hybrid. It’s a traditional SUV meant to haul families and their gear with a distinctly American style.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2018 Ford Explorer FWD with the 3.5L V6 at 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure shows how much gas the engine uses during stop-and-go driving, where the Explorer’s weight is a significant factor. The highway number is more reasonable and can be achieved during steady cruising. However, it’s still much lower than what you’ll see in a crossover with a smaller turbocharged engine. Owners who spend most of their time on the open road might see numbers closer to the EPA highway estimate, while those in urban environments can expect to be closer to the 17 MPG city figure. Keep in mind that your driving habits will heavily affect these numbers.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA calculates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Ford Explorer FWD 3.5L V6 at $2,200. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% of those miles driven in the city and 45% on the highway, using the EPA’s fuel economy estimates and the national average fuel price at the time of calculation. Your actual fuel costs will vary depending on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and the specific conditions in which you drive the vehicle. This is simply a standardized estimate for comparison. Looking at all Ford fuel economy data helps contextualize where this Explorer falls within the broader brand lineup.

Real-world expectations

EPA figures provide a useful baseline, but real-world fuel economy often differs. Driving style, traffic, terrain, and even tire pressure can influence your MPG. Explorer owners report a wide range of fuel economy. Some struggle to meet the EPA’s 20 MPG combined figure, while others exceed it slightly. Hard acceleration and frequent hard braking will significantly decrease fuel economy. The Explorer’s heavy weight also means that extra cargo or passengers impacts fuel consumption more than in a lighter vehicle. Monitor your own driving habits and adjust to improve your MPG.

How it compares

In the mid-size SUV segment, the 2018 Ford Explorer FWD 3.5L V6 is in the middle of the pack for fuel economy. The Toyota Highlander with its standard V6 offers slightly better fuel economy, at 21 MPG combined. The Honda Pilot achieves similar numbers, also around 20-21 MPG combined, depending on the trim. While the Chevy Traverse offers more cargo space, it also gets around 20 MPG combined with its standard V6, so choosing it for more room doesn’t necessarily mean a big mileage hit.

For those who want better fuel economy, smaller SUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, like the Ford Escape (26 MPG combined) or Honda CR-V (30 MPG combined), are good choices. However, they lack the Explorer’s third-row seating and cargo capacity. The Explorer trades some fuel economy for increased versatility. Understanding these comparisons is important for Explorer shoppers. And, checking EXPLORER MPG across all years shows this remains pretty consistent.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Gentle acceleration and smooth braking are important. The Explorer is a heavy vehicle, and quick changes in speed require more fuel. Anticipate traffic and keep a constant speed when you can. Avoid idling and long warm-up periods, especially in warmer weather. Modern engines warm up best while driving, and idling wastes fuel.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated to the recommended pressure, which is usually on a sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure often, especially when the temperature changes.

Remove unnecessary weight. Take out anything from the vehicle that you don’t regularly need. Extra weight increases fuel consumption, especially during city driving. This can be anything from sporting equipment to tools; remove it all to save a lot of fuel over time.

Avoid using accessories like air conditioning and heated seats unless you need them. These systems put an extra load on the engine, which reduces fuel economy. If your explorer has it, use the “eco” mode. It adjusts how sensitive the accelerator pedal is, which will help reduce consumption.