2021 Ford Explorer RWD MPG and Fuel Economy
On this page, you will find a complete guide to the miles per gallon and fuel efficiency data for the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD.
The 2021 Ford Explorer RWD has 3 model options: Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L, Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L and Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L.
The 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD car class.
The 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD car class.
The 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD car class.
🛣 How Many Miles per Gallon (MPG) Does a 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Get?
Across all models, the combined average MPG for the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD is 23 miles per gallon.
The table below breaks down the MPG for each model option:
| Model Option | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L | 24 | 21 | 28 |
| Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L | 24 | 21 | 28 |
| Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L | 21 | 18 | 26 |
💵 What is the Average Yearly Fuel Cost for a 2021 Ford Explorer RWD?
The average fuel costs for all models of the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD is $2,733.
The average fuel costs have been estimated by government regulators based on 15,000 miles driven per year, using regular gasoline, and a split of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving.
Comparing a 2021 Ford Explorer RWD to an average vehicle over 5 years, you will spend $2,167 more on fuel.
The table below shows the fuel costs and 5-year save/spend for each model option:
| Model Option | Fuel Cost | 5-Year Save/Spend |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L | $2,600 | spend $1,500 more |
| Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L | $2,600 | spend $1,500 more |
| Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L | $3,000 | spend $3,500 more |
🛢 How Many Barrels of Petroleum Does a 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Consume?
Across all models, the average number barrels of petroleum that the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD will consume in one year is 13 barrels.
The majority of the world's petroleum is sourced from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and the United States.
| Model Option | Barrels |
|---|---|
| Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L | 12 |
| Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L | 12 |
| Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L | 14 |
💨 How Many Grams of CO2 Does a 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Emit?
The 2021 Ford Explorer RWD will emit an average of about 5,885,000 grams of CO2 per year.
🌳 To help you understand the impact of this, a normal tree will absorb around 21,000 grams of CO2 per year. This means that roughly 200 trees would be needed to offset emissions from the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD.
Overview
The tables below cover all of the miles per gallon, engine specifications, and emission details we have for the 3 2021 Ford Explorer RWD model options.
Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L
The table below contains all of the details we have for the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic (S10) 4-cyl, 2.3 L:
| City MPG | 21 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 28 |
| Combined MPG | 24 |
| Save/Spend vs Average Car | Spend $1,500 |
| Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| Fuel Type 1 | Regular |
| Barrels of Petroleum | 12 |
| Grams of CO2 | 5,595,000 |
| Trees Needed to Offset | 266 |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement | 2.3 |
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Vehicle Class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Start/Stop? | Yes |
| Supercharged? | No |
| Turbocharged? | Yes |
Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L
The table below contains all of the details we have for the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic 10-spd 4-cyl, 2.3 L:
| City MPG | 21 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 28 |
| Combined MPG | 24 |
| Save/Spend vs Average Car | Spend $1,500 |
| Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| Fuel Type 1 | Regular |
| Barrels of Petroleum | 12 |
| Grams of CO2 | 5,595,000 |
| Trees Needed to Offset | 266 |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement | 2.3 |
| Transmission | Automatic 10-spd |
| Vehicle Class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Start/Stop? | Yes |
| Supercharged? | No |
| Turbocharged? | Yes |
Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L
The table below contains all of the details we have for the 2021 Ford Explorer RWD Automatic (S10) 6-cyl, 3.0 L:
| City MPG | 18 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 26 |
| Combined MPG | 21 |
| Save/Spend vs Average Car | Spend $3,500 |
| Fuel Cost | $3,000 |
| Fuel Type 1 | Regular |
| Barrels of Petroleum | 14 |
| Grams of CO2 | 6,465,000 |
| Trees Needed to Offset | 308 |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement | 3 |
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Vehicle Class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Start/Stop? | Yes |
| Supercharged? | No |
| Turbocharged? | Yes |
Link To or Reference This Page
If you use this page in your research, please reference MPG Buddy as the source.
<a href="https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/ford/explorer-rwd/2021">2021 Ford Explorer RWD MPG and Fuel Economy</a>
"2021 Ford Explorer RWD MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/ford/explorer-rwd/2021.
"2021 Ford Explorer RWD MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/ford/explorer-rwd/2021. Accessed January 3, 2026.
2021 Ford Explorer RWD MPG and Fuel Economy. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/ford/explorer-rwd/2021.