GasTankSize
Makes Gas prices Fuel system recalls Calculators Guides About

2018 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

SUV 8 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 2017 2019 →

Fuel tank capacity

18.6gal · 70 L

The 2018 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 409–502 highway miles or 298–353 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

18.6 gal · Bigger than 58% of 2018 models we list.

Highway range
409–502 mi
City range
298–353 mi
Fuel
Flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
EPA combined
18–22 MPG
EPA size class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle

2018 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Powertrain
no difference
Drive
no difference
Engine
no difference

All 8 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank Fuel MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 17 / 24Range 316 / 446 mi 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel FWD 18.6 gal70 L Flex-fuelgas or E85 17 / 24 316 / 446 mi
4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 16 / 23Range 298 / 428 mi 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel AWD 18.6 gal70 L Flex-fuelgas or E85 16 / 23 298 / 428 mi
Limited 4dr SUV 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 19 / 27Range 353 / 502 mi 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.6 gal70 L Regular 19 / 27 353 / 502 mi
Limited 4dr SUV AWD 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 18 / 25Range 335 / 465 mi 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A AWD 18.6 gal70 L Regular 18 / 25 335 / 465 mi
Platinum 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 16 / 22Range 298 / 409 mi 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A AWD 18.6 gal70 L Regular 16 / 22 298 / 409 mi
Sport 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 16 / 22Range 298 / 409 mi 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A AWD 18.6 gal70 L Regular 16 / 22 298 / 409 mi
XLT 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 17 / 24Range 316 / 446 mi 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel FWD 18.6 gal70 L Flex-fuelgas or E85 17 / 24 316 / 446 mi
XLT 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 16 / 23Range 298 / 428 mi 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel AWD 18.6 gal70 L Flex-fuelgas or E85 16 / 23 298 / 428 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 2018 Ford Explorer goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 20 MPG, a full 18.6-gallon tank covers about 372 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full18.6446316
3/414.0335237
1/29.3223158
1/44.711279
1/82.35640

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 40 full tanks.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
18–22 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
409–486 g/mi
EPA greenhouse score
3–4 of 10
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2018 Ford Explorer

$79.42 to fill the 18.6-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
18.6 galRegular$4.27$79.42$59.57
18.6 galE85 (flex-fuel trims)$3.31$61.57$46.17

By region, 18.6-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$74.77
Midwest$4.27$79.42
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$68.82
Rocky Mountain$4.46$82.96
West Coast$5.42$100.81
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$109.55

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 18.6-gallon tank$79.42
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Explorer tank size in other years

The 2018 Explorer uses the same 18.6 gal tank as every Explorer since 2011.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2023 Explorer 17.9–20.2 gal 525 mi
2022 Explorer 17.9–20.2 gal 525 mi
2021 Explorer 17.9–20.2 gal 525 mi
2020 Explorer 17.9–20.2 gal 522 mi
2019 Explorer 18.6 gal 502 mi
2018 Explorer 18.6 gal 502 mi
2017 Explorer 18.6 gal 502 mi
2016 Explorer 18.6 gal 446 mi
2015 Explorer 18.6 gal 446 mi
2014 Explorer 18.6 gal 446 mi
2013 Explorer 18.6 gal 446 mi
Ford Explorer fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
1991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
← 2017 Ford Explorer Every Explorer year 2019 Ford Explorer →

2018 Ford Explorer vs similar 2018 SUVs

The Explorer has the smallest tank of the four 2018 SUVs compared here: 18.6 gallons, against 24.6 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2018 modelTankLongest highway range
Jeep Grand Cherokee 24.6 gal 640 mi
GMC Acadia 19.0–22.0 gal 550 mi
Buick Enclave 19.4–21.7 gal 543 mi
Ford Explorer 18.6 gal 502 mi

Other 2018 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.

2018 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2018 Ford Explorer, out of 7 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Fuel systemNov 14, 2018 · NHTSA 18V807000 · Ford Motor Company · 144 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.

All Ford fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Ford Explorer?

The 2018 Ford Explorer holds 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2018 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?

The 2018 Ford Explorer tank holds 70 liters, or 18.6 gallons in US gallons.

Does the 2018 Ford Explorer tank change with the powertrain?

No. Flex-fuel (E85) and Gas versions of the 2018 Ford Explorer use the same 18.6 gal tank.

Does AWD change the 2018 Ford Explorer gas tank?

No. AWD and FWD versions of the 2018 Ford Explorer use the same 18.6 gal tank.

How far can a 2018 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?

About 409–502 miles on the highway and 298–353 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 2018 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?

About 112 highway miles or 79 in town from the 18.6-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.7 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

What gas does the 2018 Ford Explorer take?

Flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), or Regular unleaded, depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2018 Ford Explorer?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.6-gallon tank from empty costs $79.42. It ranges from $68.82 in the Gulf Coast to $109.55 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2018 Ford Explorer?

About 115 pounds for the 18.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Buick Enclave?

No. The 2018 Buick Enclave holds up to 21.7 gallons; the 2018 Ford Explorer holds up to 18.6.

Has the 2018 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2018 Ford Explorer: 18V807000 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Ford fuel system recalls).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2018 Ford models

C-Max Hybrid13.5 gallons EcoSport13.6 gallons Edge18.3–19.2 gallons Escape15.7 gallons Expedition23.3–28.3 gallons F-15023.0–36.0 gallons F-250 Super Duty34.0–48.0 gallons F-350 Super Duty34.0–48.0 gallons F-450 Super Duty48.0 gallons Fiesta12.4 gallons Flex18.6 gallons Focus12.4 gallons