Ford Explorer vs. Nissan Xterra MPG

Chart is based on 128 fuel economy reports for the Ford Explorer and 569 fuel economy reports for the Nissan Xterra.

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 Xterra 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
2013	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	hvy	2	5	8	85	80	18.3
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	3	10	15	72	99	18.5
2011	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	v.lt	light	20	10	40	30	55	20.4
2011	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	0	32	12	56	82	16.1
2010	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	light	none	0	0	10	90	110	12.4
2010	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	2	12	30	56	70	17.7
2009	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	10	60	20	10	75	16.5
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2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	2	36	4	59	72	18.8
2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	12	12	15	62	65	18.1
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	5	5	60	30	70	17.8
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	15	60	25	0	0	15.7
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	3	15	53	30	65	17.8
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	5	35	35	25	75	19.0
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	light	5	26	12	57	67	17.0
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	0	2	29	69	80	21.3
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	none	0	50	0	50	78	15.5
2005	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	med	light	0	0	15	85	75	23.6
2005	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	10	0	40	50	65	16.7
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	light	3	6	22	70	60	16.1
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	100	0	0	0	20.0
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	none	3	14	27	57	65	16.9
2004	4dr SUV 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	hvy	26	12	3	59	68	17.2
2003	4dr SUV supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	light	10	30	30	30	75	11.2
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	light	28	13	10	50	88	17.8
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	0	0	47	53	65	16.8
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	17	29	29	25	63	15.9
2002	4dr SUV supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	1	75	15	9	60	15.5
2002	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	none	0	0	30	70	60	16.8
2002	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	4	31	58	8	65	16.4
2002	4dr SUV 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	hvy	30	5	20	45	65	24.8
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	none	30	10	40	20	55	19.2
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	1	2	0	97	75	19.0
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	lead	light	30	10	30	30	70	15.5
2000	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	hvy	40	40	0	20	60	17.0
2000	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	10	15	15	60	60	17.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Nissan Xterra 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 Xterra

Nissan Xterra Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	Most people who drove or owned xterra, complain about fuel economy. I say bs: compare it with its true, truck-based SUV competitors - and there are only 3 of them: toyota 4runner and fj cruiser, and jeep wrangler rubicon. Thats all! All others are not to be compared to xterra - they are just car-based SUVs (even new nissan pathfinder is just a car!).rnWhen you compare xterra with correct competitors, you will find that its fuel economy is excellent: my trip computer and calculations show the best economy of 10.3 l/100km on highway at 95 km/h without aircon, on cruise control, on a warm day. My worst is 19.3 l/100km during heavy winter offroading through 3 feet of snow (and it was quite wet snow), using 4x4 low with lockers. From my comparis see full Nissan Xterra review

Nissan Xterra Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	I don't see how the fuel economy could be improved, given what the vehicle is. But I can't say that I am happy with the poor fuel economy. see full Nissan Xterra review
2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	Fuel economy is not the best, I average around 15-16 in the city and 18-20 on the highway. see full Nissan Xterra review
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	Although the 2005+ gets better fuel economy than the previous incarnation, it won't compete with the light weight car-based CUVs on the market. If you want the strong chassis and off road performance you will feel it at the pump. Off road modifications like extra armor, dual spare tires, larger tires, and gear don't help either. see full Nissan Xterra review
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	Mileage is terrible for an engine of this size and power output. see full Nissan Xterra review