Ford Explorer Timberline MPG by year — every rating on record
The Ford Explorer Timberline has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2021 to 2024. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2021) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2022). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #31 of 104 (71th pct) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2022 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #47 of 126 (63th pct) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2023 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #56 of 139 (60th pct) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2024 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #83 of 166 (50th pct) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford Explorer Timberline placed highest in 2021 at #31 of 104, and lowest in 2024 at #83 of 166. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 22 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 433 | 4/10 |
| 2023 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 19 | 21 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 445 | 4/10 |
| 2023 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI; Stop-Start, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 22 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 433 | 4/10 |
| 2022 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 19 | 21 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 445 | 4/10 |
| 2022 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI; Stop-Start, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 22 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 433 | 4/10 |
| 2021 | 2.3L 4-cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 23 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 431 | 4/10 |
What Explorer Timberline fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2024 Ford Explorer Timberline burns 548 to 548 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 | $1,643 | $1,643 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,190 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2024 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Across the 317 nameplates EPA classifies as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, the median best combined rating is 22 mpg. At 21 mpg the Ford Explorer Timberline is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $87 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD 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.