Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester MPG

Chart is based on 128 fuel economy reports for the Ford Explorer and 752 fuel economy reports for the Subaru Forester.

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.

Subaru Forester 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
2018	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	light	0	10	30	60	100	32.4
2017	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	light	none	11	54	2	33	93	20.5
2016	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	44	8	9	38	70	25.1
2016	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	hills	light	light	0	10	10	80	60	27.7
2015	4dr SUV turbocharged 237hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	med	none	4	4	19	73	118	24.6
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	light	3	7	9	81	80	30.7
2014	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	v.lt	hvy	10	40	40	10	65	27.2
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2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	hvy	30	20	40	10	70	24.0
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	0	5	18	77	62	28.8
2013.5	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	hvy	5	5	80	10	100	28.0
2013	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	light	5	8	31	55	69	25.4
2013	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	light	0	10	41	49	70	25.6
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	mtns	light	none	0	5	45	50	60	24.5
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	2	15	15	69	71	24.9
2011	4dr SUV 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	50	30	10	10	100	26.1
2010	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	18	18	35	29	65	20.3
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	none	2	18	40	42	60	24.2
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	light	6	23	26	44	62	24.5
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	14	14	0	71	142	16.8
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	15	35	20	31	71	20.4
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	10	23	26	41	80	24.2
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	8	14	33	46	68	24.1
2008	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	0	10	70	20	55	24.9
2008	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	29	4	1	66	68	27.1
2007	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	10	0	15	75	75	20.4
2007	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	0	25	75	68	22.4
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	1	36	33	30	85	25.2
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	hvy	5	33	18	45	73	26.2
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	11	10	22	58	116	21.9
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	15	0	20	65	110	25.3
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	0	50	50	69	25.5
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	6	28	21	45	68	23.7
2005	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	hvy	0	0	0	100	70	21.0
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	lead	light	5	20	33	43	81	25.6
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	hills	light	light	4	12	46	38	74	24.0
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	9	8	8	76	73	22.2
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	6	26	18	50	79	21.6
2004	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	light	2	12	21	66	69	27.3
2004	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	none	9	33	23	36	60	23.7
2003	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	light	9	10	28	53	68	25.3
2003	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	11	17	27	45	69	22.2
2002	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	none	2	15	65	18	64	25.9
2002	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	5	31	19	45	59	22.9
2001	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	2	10	22	67	68	27.3
2001	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	hvy	4	3	82	11	59	19.4
2000	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	10	20	0	70	60	21.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Subaru Forester fuel economy data.

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs

See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models and Subaru 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 Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	Subaru's latest engines when paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) earn much better EPA numbers than their ancestors. The 2013 Forester rated only 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway. The 2014 checks in at 24/32, about as good as you'll find in a compact crossover with all-wheel-drive. The CR-V manages 22/30, the RAV-4 22/29. Only the Mazda CX-5 comes close, 25/31 or 24/30, depending on engine size (you want the larger one with the slightly lower EPA numbers). In suburban driving I observed trip computer averages of 23 to 27 once the engine was warmed up. But 15 for the first couple of miles--it was cold and snowy the week I had the car. (This big difference when the engine is warming up is typical, but something many people don't realize when comparing their winter averages with the EPA ratings.) Summer fuel economy should be better. see full Subaru Forester review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	I drive mainly around town and average 26 overall. On a highway drive, I get around 33. My previous vehicle was a 2009 Escape V6 AWD, this is a definite improvement on fuel economy. I could rarely get 30 on the highway. Typically around 27. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	The suggested/promised MPG is pretty high and, while I haven't hit those numbers on average, I can say that I'm getting better mileage than I was getting in a smaller, non-AWD, non-SUV "sporty" car with a smaller engine. The built-in value of the vehicle is top notch... For the price, I got more equipment than I would have gotten on much of the competition...! A truly great value for the bucks....! see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Gas mileage is excellent for a full-time AWD car. I averaged 27 in mixe driving. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	26.4 mpg isn't exactly the best ever, but for a very quick family car, it is hard to top. see full Subaru Forester review
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	I've been getting higher than expected fuel economy - around 28MPG, mostly highway see full Subaru Forester review
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	fuel milage around town is averaging 24 miles to the gallon, but it is still new and not being loaded. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	I am averaging 25 mpg in a mix of in-town and highway driving see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	better than most comparable rigs hi-way mileage even around town see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I am getting 27.5 mpg with 60% town driving, the rest in hilly country. Very impressed, and the car is not even broken in yet. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Saves over 40% compared to last SUV see full Subaru Forester review

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Fuel economy isn't as great as I'd hoped, but better than the previous vehicle I had - which was smaller, lighter and got worse mileage. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Fuel econmy is OK in summer, again would be good vehicle for california. However in Canada where we get lots of cold weather fuel economy is very poor, in fact it is worse than my BMW, which has twice the horsepower and my Honda Van, what gives? Plus you are freezing inside in the winter see full Subaru Forester review
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Mileage is sub par. This Forester replaced a 2007 Ford Fusion all wheel drive. Same driving style, same route, same traffic- 2 mpg less than the V6 Fusion. see full Subaru Forester review
2010	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Handling is so pleasant that sporty driving is quite fule consuming see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Only 20 mpg or so has been best fuel economy to date. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Fuel consumption in 63000Km: -city: on the average(rush hours and non rush hours) around 15l/100Km -highway: around 9-10l/100Km at 130Km/h, 18-20l/100Km at 200-210 Km/h - other paved roads including mountain paved roads: around 11-12l/100Km - off-road: 14-16l/100Km see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Fuel economy not as good as the CR-V, though the more powerful engine was the reason. see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Some people look at the XT's ratings and think 19-24 is horrible AND you have to buy premium gas! Not me. Don't mind it one bit. Do the math: $3 extra over regular unleaded at the pump every fill-up, 4 times a month (although I fill up less), that's $12/month. Multiply by 12 months and you're looking at $144/year! That's nothing to pay for the fun added to your driving experience! Some people pay more than that for one nice dinner out! see full Subaru Forester review
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	Takes a lot of fuel and also require Super. Youve got to pay to play. see full Subaru Forester review
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD	Fuel economy is hit or miss. I've seen anywhere from 14-20 in the city with no discernable difference in driving habits. On the highway I've seen anywhere from 19-26. Once again, with no discernable difference in driving style, speed, or weather. There is just no predictability. see full Subaru Forester review