The 2015 Ford Expedition 4WD with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine gets 17 MPG combined. Nobody expects Prius-like efficiency from an Expedition. This isn’t a vehicle for saving money on gas. Families buy it because they need lots of space, towing capability, and the security of four-wheel drive for tough conditions. The fuel economy is simply a price they’re willing to pay for what the Expedition offers.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the Expedition’s size and the fuel-sapping effects of stop-and-go traffic. The highway number, while a little better, still shows that moving this much vehicle requires a lot of gas, even at a steady speed. These figures were obtained under controlled conditions. Expect them to get worse with aggressive driving and heavy loads.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that the 2015 Ford Expedition 4WD 3.5L will cost owners about $2,600 per year in fuel. This assumes 15,000 miles of driving annually, with a mix of city and highway conditions, and uses the national average fuel price at the time of calculation. Gas prices change, so this number can vary, but it’s a good benchmark for budgeting. Because the typical Expedition owner probably drives more than 15,000 miles per year, especially for family road trips or towing, expect this cost to potentially go up.

Real-world expectations

EPA numbers are a baseline, but real-world experiences can be different. Many drivers see numbers a little below the EPA estimates, especially in city driving. Carrying cargo, passengers, or towing has a big impact on fuel consumption. Headwinds and hills also matter. Check the EXPEDITION MPG across all years to see how this year compares to older and newer models. Ultimately, fuel economy depends a lot on driving habits and how you use the vehicle.

How it compares

The 2015 Expedition’s fuel economy is typical for large, body-on-frame SUVs. A similar Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD with the 5.3L V8 gets around 16 MPG combined, while the Nissan Armada 4WD, with its larger 5.6L V8, gets even less at 15 MPG combined. These numbers are important for Expedition buyers because they often compare these vehicles. The Expedition’s EcoBoost engine was supposed to offer better economy than traditional V8s, but the real-world difference is often small. The Toyota Sequoia, another large SUV, is like the Armada at 15 MPG combined. The slightly smaller Dodge Durango with all-wheel drive and the V6 engine does better at 21 MPG combined, but it doesn’t have as much cargo and towing capacity as the Expedition. To compare against Ford’s broader portfolio, check out all Ford fuel economy data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

You can’t change how much fuel the Expedition uses, but you can take steps to improve your gas mileage. First, avoid fast acceleration and hard braking. The Expedition’s EcoBoost engine has a lot of torque, so you don’t need to push the gas pedal hard. Accelerating gently will save fuel.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires with low pressure increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressures often and inflate them to the recommended levels. You can usually find these levels on a sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb.

Remove extra weight. Carrying around extra cargo adds to the Expedition’s weight, which reduces fuel economy. Remove anything you don’t need from the vehicle, especially heavy things.

When towing, use the right tow mode and think about driving slower. Towing has a big impact on fuel economy. The Expedition’s tow/haul mode changes the transmission’s shift points for towing, which helps to manage the load more efficiently. Driving slower, even by a few miles per hour, can also help. Finally, perform maintenance on the vehicle to ensure everything is running smoothly.