Ford Explorer vs. Lexus RX MPG

Chart is based on 128 fuel economy reports for the Ford Explorer and 476 fuel economy reports for the Lexus RX.

Ford Explorer MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	4dr SUV turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	none	0	5	75	20	65	18.5
2015	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	light	45	0	15	40	75	20.9
2013	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	25	0	30	45	70	21.8
2012	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	20	80	110	21.4
2012	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	31	17	52	71	18.4
2011	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	9	73	9	9	60	15.6
2011	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	none	10	0	10	80	55	22.0
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2009	4dr SUV 292-horsepower 4.6L V8 6-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	none	0	0	0	100	60	18.5
2009	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	hills	light	hvy	5	20	30	45	60	19.2
2008	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	hvy	0	5	20	75	60	16.5
2008	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	63	37	65	16.6
2008	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	hills	med	none	6	27	50	17	75	16.7
2007	4dr SUV 292-horsepower 4.6L V8 6-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	hills	med	hvy	1	6	13	82	75	17.2
2007	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	light	24	8	7	61	90	17.7
2006	4dr SUV 292-horsepower 4.6L V8 6-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	2	18	19	61	68	18.3
2006	4dr SUV 292-horsepower 4.6L V8 6-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	light	4	17	41	37	78	15.1
2006	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	20	23	28	29	70	18.1
2006	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	light	5	30	22	44	65	16.4
2005	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	0	9	9	83	75	17.5
2005	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	light	5	18	33	43	80	16.4
2005	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	hvy	20	20	10	50	60	18.0
2005	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	none	45	45	5	5	55	13.3
2004	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	17	20	13	50	60	16.7
2004	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	light	7	35	28	30	75	13.2
2004	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	hills	light	hvy	10	20	18	52	63	16.4
2004	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	hvy	5	0	0	95	65	18.8
2003	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	light	5	17	32	45	81	14.4
2003	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	18	45	13	25	65	17.8
2003	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	light	16	14	32	38	74	17.6
2002	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	hills	med	light	17	26	17	40	89	16.1
2002	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed manual 4WD w/low range	flat	med	hvy	0	40	30	30	65	17.0
2002	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	7	22	37	35	70	18.2
2002	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	med	light	18	3	44	36	70	19.2
2001	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	flat	light	none	0	75	25	0	0	11.4
2000	4dr SUV 215-horsepower 5.0L V8 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	10	33	58	60	17.8

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This page shows only averages. See all the Ford Explorer fuel economy data.

Lexus RX MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2022	4dr SUV 259-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	none	0	0	50	50	65	27.6
2016	4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	0	30	60	10	75	17.5
2015	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	10	10	75	60	22.5
2012	4dr SUV 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	10	10	60	20	70	20.9
2012	4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD	flat	light	light	0	10	70	20	70	28.0
2011	4dr SUV 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	20	80	70	22.6
2011	4dr SUV 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	1	17	46	36	110	19.6
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2011	4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	none	4	12	32	51	75	26.9
2010	4dr SUV 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	light	27	32	21	22	65	17.3
2010	4dr SUV 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	0	6	27	66	102	20.8
2010	4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD	flat	light	light	22	22	15	41	68	29.1
2010	4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	v.lt	light	1	11	20	69	101	33.4
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	10	10	10	70	65	23.0
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	5	15	48	33	66	21.9
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	20	20	50	10	60	19.6
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	10	27	30	34	66	20.1
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	0	65	2	32	69	22.4
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	flat	light	light	2	56	16	26	94	24.6
2007	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	9	28	31	32	67	20.3
2007	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	none	0	0	0	100	60	24.0
2007	4dr SUV 208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	flat	med	hvy	0	10	52	38	72	23.5
2006	4dr SUV 223-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	15	15	40	30	75	17.0
2006	4dr SUV 223-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	1	4	40	55	70	24.5
2006	4dr SUV 208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	hvy	15	23	33	30	73	25.9
2006	4dr SUV 208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	flat	light	light	6	28	19	48	65	24.5
2005	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	30	30	35	65	19.0
2005	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	hills	light	light	3	20	38	40	68	20.2
2005	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	hills	med	light	6	38	7	49	65	17.2
2004	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	10	21	26	44	65	20.8
2004	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	hvy	4	6	21	70	69	25.3
2004	4dr SUV 230-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	hvy	14	10	40	37	62	20.2
2003	4dr SUV 220-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	0	90	0	10	65	17.6
2002	4dr SUV 220-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	med	light	18	20	40	23	63	18.5
2002	4dr SUV 220-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic AWD	hills	med	light	18	24	34	24	64	20.1
2001	4dr SUV 220-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	6	12	34	48	67	19.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Lexus RX fuel economy data.

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs

See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models and Lexus models.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr SUV turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	We initially went in looking for a commuter vehicle with High mpg... but the sport they had jumped out at us and we were on the hunt for one... in the wife's daily 45 mile drive to work she's averaging 20 mpg which is comparable to the Audi's 4 cylinder and my truck's 8 cylinder. see full Ford Explorer review
2011	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Best in Class all that needs to be said. see full Ford Explorer review
2011	4dr SUV 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	For such a beast I'm pleased with the gas mileage. I average 19-21 in almost all city/suburban stoplight and rush hour driving. Highway mileage drops fast if you drive over 70. Keep it under 70 and I get about 24. see full Ford Explorer review
2003	4dr SUV 239-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	For a mid-sized SUV, fuel economy is still as good or better than many 2008 cross-overs, and has all of the luxury features I like. see full Ford Explorer review

Ford Explorer Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	Not really bad, but not that great either. To be expected for a vehicle this heavy see full Ford Explorer review
2006	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	13-15 mpg around town, ouch! see full Ford Explorer review
2005	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Could be better see full Ford Explorer review
2005	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	wish it was higher. Part of our problem is that wanted and bought a model with the towing package. The lower gearing does impact fuel economy see full Ford Explorer review
2004	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	13 - 14.5 for a V6! Ridiculous. see full Ford Explorer review
2004	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	Gets poor fuel economy, but that is expected from a large SUV see full Ford Explorer review
2002	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	17 miles to the gallon on a six. see full Ford Explorer review
2002	4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range	For a low output V6 (210hp) I would expect better gas mileage for this 4,400 suv. I average 14 to 18 mpg per tank depending on mix of city/highway. see full Ford Explorer review

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Lexus RX

Lexus RX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The new transmission doesn't affect EPA city mpg, which remains a competitive if not outstanding 18. Highway mpg receives a bump from 24 to 26, putting it two to three mpg over most competitors. At a steady 75 mph, the F Sport engine is spinning 1,950 rpm, vs. 2,300 in the regular RX with a six-speed automatic. In suburban driving with the engine warmed up the trip computer typically reported 22 mpg. A very light foot bumped this by three mpg, while a heavy one sunk it by about the same. Buyers who put a high priority on fuel economy will prefer the RX 400h hybrid. It earns EPA ratings of 32 city, 28 highway, and is even a little quicker than the RX 350. Real-world suburban mpg appears to be about 29. see full Lexus RX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Lexus RX

Lexus RX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	I drive about 10% traffic, 30% city, 20% suburban and 40% highway (75-80 mph). My driving is quite smooth. Fuel consumption is 28 MPG see full Lexus RX review
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD	On flat ground with cruise control on it will get 29 mpg. I find that outstanding. 23-25 mpg is average. see full Lexus RX review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	We compared the 2008 RX400h (discounted) vs the 2009 Nissan Murano. The gas savings by going with the Hybrid exceeded the difference between the two vehicles. see full Lexus RX review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD	Averaging 26+ on highway, higher in city driving see full Lexus RX review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD	Like the fact that it is a hybrid and a "greener" choice for an SUV see full Lexus RX review
2007	4dr SUV 208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	Not quite as good as advertised but what I realistically expected see full Lexus RX review
2006	4dr SUV 208-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	I researched this a fair bit. I did not want an SUV but the space offered, reliability, and fuel economy sold me. I regularly get 26-27 MPG city/hwy combined, way better then any other SUV (Highlander excepted) see full Lexus RX review

Lexus RX Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	about 5mpg less given same driving habits see full Lexus RX review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	Poor fuel economy compared to the 3 series sports sedan. Some people have quoted 26mpg - good for an SUV but not good in general terms. see full Lexus RX review