Ford's Turbo-Four Explorer Quietly Out-Sips Its Three-Row Rivals

EPA rates the 2026 Ford Explorer 2.3 EcoBoost at up to 29 mpg highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient gasoline three-row SUVs — ahead of the non-hybrid Pilot, Telluride, Palisade and Grand Highlander.

Author: Yulia Ivanchik

01:59 05-07-2026

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The 2026 Ford Explorer turns out to be one of the most fuel-efficient gasoline three-row SUVs on the US market. According to the EPA, the version with the 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost and rear-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. In metric terms that works out to roughly 11.8, 8.1 and 9.8 l/100 km.

The all-wheel-drive Explorer with the same engine gives up almost nothing: 20/27/23 mpg, or about 11.8/8.7/10.2 l/100 km. For a large three-row family SUV that is a strong showing, especially next to the non-hybrid versions of the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Grand Highlander.

One key caveat — the comparison leaves hybrids out. Electrified versions of the rivals, including the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, can be thriftier, especially in the city. But among conventional gasoline models the Explorer looks like a bargain thanks to its 2.3-liter EcoBoost, 10-speed automatic and rear-drive base architecture.

The more powerful Explorer with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is already less frugal: the all-wheel-drive version returns 18/25/20 mpg, or about 13.1/9.4/11.8 l/100 km.