Ford EXP MPG by year — every rating on record
The Ford EXP has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1984 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 28 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 19 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 6 | 25 mpg | 23 mpg | #2 of 13 (92th pct) | n/a | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1985 | 3 | 26 mpg | 24 mpg | #3 of 19 (89th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1986 | 4 | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | #3 of 20 (89th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1987 | 3 | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | #3 of 24 (91th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1988 | 3 | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | #3 of 26 (92th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford EXP placed highest in 1984 at #2 of 13, and lowest in 1985 at #3 of 19. It spent 5 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 19 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 23 | 31 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (SPFI) | 24 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 24 | 34 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | 1.9L 4-cyl | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 30 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 1.9L 4-cyl | 23 | 31 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 22 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 20 | 31 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 22 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | CA model | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS,TRBO) CA model, turbocharged | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | CA model | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 25 → 26 mpg | +1 mpg | 442 gal |
| 1986 → 1987 | 26 → 28 mpg | +2 mpg | 411 gal |
What EXP fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Ford EXP burns 411 to 479 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,232 | $1,438 | $205 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,438 | $1,677 | $240 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,917 | $274 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $2,250 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Two Seaters
Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 28 mpg the Ford EXP is 10 mpg better the median, which is worth about $799 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Ford nameplates
Every Ford model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.