The 2018 Ford Taurus FWD with the 3.5L V6 gets 21 MPG combined. This isn’t the most efficient car, but that number should be viewed knowing what the Taurus is: a big, comfortable, and affordable sedan. Hypermilers aren’t buying this car. It’s for people who value space and a smooth ride above saving every drop of gasoline. It’s a workhorse, a family hauler, and a comfortable highway cruiser, and its fuel economy reflects that.

City and highway performance

EPA estimates show 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The city MPG is perhaps the biggest drawback. The Taurus’s weight and the start-and-stop driving reduce efficiency. The highway number is more respectable. The 3.5L V6 engine, matched with the six-speed automatic transmission, has a comfortable cruise, and the aerodynamics (for a large sedan) help fuel efficiency on longer trips. These numbers also assume the vehicle is running on regular unleaded fuel.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Ford Taurus FWD 3.5L 6-cyl is $2,100. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will vary depending on your driving habits, city versus highway driving, and the price of gasoline in your area. Aggressive driving and many cold starts will increase that $2,100 figure. If you’re curious about all Ford fuel economy data, we have that available for you.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a good benchmark, but real-world fuel economy can differ. Many owners report achieving numbers close to the EPA estimates, particularly on the highway. Heavy city driving and quick acceleration, however, can easily drop the average MPG below 20. Using premium fuel won’t improve MPG, you should keep it on regular unleaded. The Taurus can be affected by things such as tire pressure, vehicle load, and weather conditions.

How it compares

The 2018 Taurus’s fuel economy is similar to other large sedans of its time. The Toyota Avalon, for instance, gets a combined 25 MPG with its V6 engine, offering a better result. The Nissan Maxima manages around 25 MPG combined. The Chrysler 300 with its standard V6 gets around 23 combined, though that number varies more depending on the specific engine and drivetrain. The Taurus buyer often wants reasonable pricing and size over fuel efficiency, so while the numbers matter, they aren’t always the main thing. When looking at TAURUS MPG across all years, the 2018 model is holding its value. A buyer who wants to consider slightly smaller alternatives like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry might also want better MPG, but they often don’t have enough interior space.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive acceleration. The Taurus is a heavy car, and quick bursts of speed use a lot of fuel. Anticipating traffic and maintaining a steady speed will lead to improvement.

Make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that the car is maintained. Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel. Regular oil changes and air filter replacements benefit engine performance.

Reduce unnecessary weight in the vehicle. Carrying around extra cargo adds to the weight, which affects fuel economy. Clean out any items from the trunk and back seat.

On longer highway trips, use cruise control to maintain a consistent speed. This can help you avoid unintentional speed changes, which can negatively affect fuel efficiency. Watch your speed, because fuel economy decreases at speeds above 65-70 mph.

Consider using a fuel tracking app to monitor your MPG and identify areas for improvement. By tracking your fuel consumption, you can learn about your driving and make changes to use less gas.