Ford Explorer vs. Nissan Frontier MPG

Chart is based on 128 fuel economy reports for the Ford Explorer and 108 fuel economy reports for the Nissan Frontier.

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.

Nissan Frontier 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
2015	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	0	0	30	70	60	19.5
2012	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	3	8	14	76	77	18.0
2011	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	hvy	0	30	50	20	65	18.8
2010	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	15	75	5	5	60	17.0
2010	4dr Crew Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	hills	light	none	11	11	22	56	75	18.0
2010	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	0	0	0	100	70	20.0
2010	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	0	77	13	10	75	15.4
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2009	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	light	0	60	20	20	70	17.2
2009	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 152-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	light	10	10	5	75	70	23.5
2009	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	v.lt	light	1	30	0	69	65	22.3
2008	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	hills	light	light	0	1	0	99	67	22.7
2008	4dr Crew Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	0	3	33	65	65	20.0
2008	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	6	33	25	36	72	19.2
2008	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	none	0	15	20	65	60	20.9
2007	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	light	0	10	40	50	65	23.3
2007	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	24	23	25	28	60	21.0
2007	4dr Crew Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	0	5	20	75	60	20.0
2007	4dr Crew Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	5	35	10	50	120	11.8
2007	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	hvy	10	20	70	0	0	18.9
2007	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	hvy	0	35	22	42	70	15.3
2006	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	med	none	5	35	5	55	75	19.0
2006	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	none	15	15	40	30	60	24.8
2006	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	13	23	7	57	60	25.4
2006	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	v.lt	light	0	0	50	50	60	25.0
2006	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	6	23	23	48	64	17.2
2005	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	mtns	lead	hvy	3	15	5	77	80	22.0
2005	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	8	13	45	35	73	17.9
2005	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	7	8	22	63	73	17.0
2005	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	7	22	14	58	65	16.8
2004	4dr Crew Cab 4.5ft bed 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	light	4	10	31	56	70	20.0
2004	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	0	25	43	33	70	17.2
2004	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	light	5	9	20	66	64	27.3
2004	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	20	25	33	23	60	19.4
2003	4dr Crew Cab 4.5ft bed 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	hills	med	light	1	10	5	84	60	19.0
2003	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	med	none	1	9	50	40	65	13.2
2003	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	hills	lead	hvy	0	25	25	50	75	22.3
2002	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	none	20	20	20	40	60	16.0
2002	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	lead	none	5	40	50	5	60	17.0
2002	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	hills	med	none	5	25	20	50	60	24.0
2000	4dr Crew Cab 4.5ft bed 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	5	20	40	35	70	20.0
2000	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic RWD	hills	med	none	0	0	20	80	60	24.3

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This page shows only averages. See all the Nissan Frontier fuel economy data.

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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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Nissan Frontier

Nissan Frontier Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	Averaging 22mpg for th full 57,000 miles I have driven. Winter mileage is less and summer is more Using winter snow and ice tires in winter months. Hwy tires in summer months. see full Nissan Frontier review
2008	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 154-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual RWD	The best so far has been 27 mpg. The worst 19mpg. Average for over 6,000 miles of mostly highway driving has been 23 mpg. At 17,800 miles on odometer the milage is down to 22 mpg. I added 4 new snow tires that have reduced mpg. see full Nissan Frontier review

Nissan Frontier Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	I keep a detailed log of fuel economy. I commute on hour each way, every day. 50% of the time is spent at 65 mph on the highway, and the remainder between 50 and 60 on 2-lane country roads. Only a few stops in between. Very consistently getting 21.5 to 22.3 mpg. I rarely rev it above 4000 RPM - only when passing someone. That happens maybe once or twice per tank. I am underwhelmed by the fuel economy. Full-sized trucks with larger, stronger V8s get similar economy. see full Nissan Frontier review
2011	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	This 2011 Frontier Crew Cab at 4,000 miles is averaging 19-21 hwy, 16-19 city depending on weather and traffic conditions. see full Nissan Frontier review
2011	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Well it has a 4.0L V6, so I guess I should have expected it. It does have nice power though. see full Nissan Frontier review
2011	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Well, the EPA ratings are 15 city 20 Highway. The salesman I dealt with says it is easy to get 20 Highway, and I am not an aggressive driver. The V6 is geared low enough that it does 1800 rpm at 60MPH, so my light foot will help here. We will see ! see full Nissan Frontier review
2009	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Even though it is a powerful V6, economy was on par with much more powerful V8 engines. see full Nissan Frontier review
2006	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	I cant complain about the gas mileage it was around 22mpg when new but with a lift and tires I have sucked some of that away see full Nissan Frontier review
2006	4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Fuel Economy is terrible with the V6. Just Awful see full Nissan Frontier review
2005	4dr Crew Cab 5ft bed 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	Overrated to what is identified. I know it is a truck but the mileage is far from what Nissan claims. see full Nissan Frontier review
2004	2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	Average 17/21 during the summer. A friends 96 F-150 (also 4x4) gets 16/20 with a V-8. Expected much better mileage from a small truck. see full Nissan Frontier review