19 MPG combined isn’t great, but it’s what you get for driving a vehicle as reliable and spacious as the 2020 Ford Expedition 2WD with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. This is a body-on-frame SUV, not a crossover pretending to be one, and it’s built for serious towing and hauling. It’s designed for large families who want space and capability more than anything else. Buyers looking at the Expedition aren’t comparing it to compact hybrids. They need to move people and cargo, often, and they know that comes with a tradeoff.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2020 Ford Expedition 2WD with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gets 17 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. These numbers show what it takes to move a vehicle that weighs over 5,400 pounds. The city MPG will drop even more when the vehicle is fully loaded or in stop-and-go traffic. The highway figure is possible, and maybe even beatable, if you drive at a constant speed and don’t accelerate too quickly. The 10-speed automatic transmission, (S10) in the EPA data, tries to keep the engine in its most efficient range, but physics says that moving this much weight requires energy.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Ford Expedition 2WD 3.5L 6-cyl is $2,300. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% of those miles in the city and 45% on the highway, using national average fuel prices at the time. This is a good number to compare against, but your fuel costs will change depending on how you drive, local fuel prices, and how much you drive in the city versus on the highway. If you often tow or spend a lot of time in traffic, expect to pay more.

Real-world expectations

The EPA estimates are for comparison, but real-world mileage will be different. Owners have reported numbers from a little below to a little above the EPA numbers, depending on how they drive and the conditions. Accelerating hard, towing a lot, and idling for long periods will all lower fuel economy. A careful driver on mostly highway miles might see numbers closer to 24 or 25 MPG. The EcoBoost engine still uses more gas when you press the accelerator hard. Pressing the pedal lightly is important to getting the best possible fuel economy in all Ford vehicles.

How it compares

The 2020 Ford Expedition’s fuel economy is similar to others in its class. The Chevrolet Tahoe 2WD with the 5.3L V8 gets 15 MPG city and 22 MPG highway. The Nissan Armada, another competitor that’s also rugged, only gets 14 MPG city and 19 MPG highway, which makes the Expedition look pretty efficient. The Toyota Sequoia, another full-size SUV, is even worse, with an EPA rating of 13 MPG city and 17 MPG highway. The Expedition’s 19 MPG combined is competitive in its segment. For alternatives with better fuel economy, minivans (like the Honda Odyssey at 19 MPG city and 28 MPG highway) get better mileage, but the Expedition has better towing and off-road features. You can see EXPEDITION MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The EcoBoost engine uses more gas if you drive aggressively. Avoid accelerating quickly and braking hard. Watch the traffic and drive at a constant speed whenever possible. The Expedition’s weight and size mean that aggressive driving uses a lot more gas.

Tire pressure is important for fuel efficiency. Make sure your tires have the right amount of air, which is listed on the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires make the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check and keep your tires at the right pressure for better mileage.

Remove extra weight. Carrying extra cargo or having unused roof racks increases wind resistance and fuel use. Remove anything you don’t need from the vehicle and take off roof racks when they aren’t being used. Every pound matters, especially in a vehicle this size; less weight will improve fuel efficiency.

Consider driving modes. If your Expedition has them, select “Eco” mode for everyday driving. This mode changes the engine and transmission to save fuel more than performance. It might make the vehicle less responsive, but it can save you gas over time. See your owner’s manual for details on your vehicle’s drive modes.

Regular maintenance helps your Expedition run efficiently. Get scheduled oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug replacements. A well-maintained engine is more efficient, which improves fuel economy. If you don’t maintain the engine, performance can drop and fuel use can increase. Always see all Ford fuel economy data.