2026 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size and Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
17.9–20.2gal · 68–76 L
The 2026 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 17.9 to 20.2 gallons (68–76 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 17.9 gallons, used on 7 trims.
A full tank is good for roughly 412–586 highway miles or 340–404 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
20.2 gal · Bigger than 69% of 2026 models we list.
2026 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
All 11 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active 4dr SUV AWD w/100A 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 20 / 27Range 358 / 483 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 27 | 358 / 483 mi | |
| Active 4dr SUV AWD w/200A 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 20 / 27Range 358 / 483 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 27 | 358 / 483 mi | |
| Active 4dr SUV w/100A 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 358 / 519 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | RWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 29 | 358 / 519 mi | |
| Active 4dr SUV w/200A 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 358 / 519 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | RWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 29 | 358 / 519 mi | |
| ST-Line 4dr SUV 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 358 / 519 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | RWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 29 | 358 / 519 mi | |
| ST-Line 4dr SUV AWD 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 20 / 27Range 358 / 483 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 20 / 27 | 358 / 483 mi | |
| Tremor 4dr SUV AWD 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 19 / 23Range 340 / 412 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 17.9 gal68 L | 19 / 23 | 340 / 412 mi | |
| Platinum 4dr SUV 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 404 / 586 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | RWD | 20.2 gal76 L | 20 / 29 | 404 / 586 mi | |
| Platinum 4dr SUV AWD 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 20 / 27Range 404 / 545 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 20.2 gal76 L | 20 / 27 | 404 / 545 mi | |
| ST 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A · RWD MPG 18 / 25Range 364 / 505 mi | 3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A | RWD | 20.2 gal76 L | 18 / 25 | 364 / 505 mi | |
| ST 4dr SUV AWD 3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A · AWD MPG 18 / 25Range 364 / 505 mi | 3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A | AWD | 20.2 gal76 L | 18 / 25 | 364 / 505 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
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 2026 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 23 MPG, a full 17.9-gallon tank covers about 412 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 17.9 | 483 | 358 |
| 3/4 | 13.4 | 362 | 269 |
| 1/2 | 9.0 | 242 | 179 |
| 1/4 | 4.5 | 121 | 90 |
| 1/8 | 2.2 | 60 | 45 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 652 gallons, roughly 36 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
- 20–24 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 377–439 g/mi
- EPA greenhouse score
- 4–5 of 10
- Source
- EPA ratings ↗
What it costs to fill up a 2026 Ford Explorer
$76.43 to fill the 17.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.9 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $76.43 | $57.32 |
| 20.2 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $86.25 | $64.69 |
By region, 17.9-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $71.96 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $76.43 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $66.23 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $79.83 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $97.02 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $105.43 |
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
- 17.9-gallon tank$76.43
- 20.2-gallon tank$86.25
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,785
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 2026 Explorer uses the same 17.9–20.2 gal tank sizes as every Explorer since 2020.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 586 mi |
| 2026 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 586 mi |
| 2025 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 586 mi |
| 2024 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 525 mi |
| 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 |
- 2027
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
2026 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls
None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2026 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The 2026 Ford Explorer holds between 17.9 and 20.2 gallons, depending on the trim. 17.9 gallons is the usual size; the 20.2-gallon tank comes on the Platinum 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A).
How many gallons and liters does the 2026 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?
The 2026 Ford Explorer tank holds 68–76 liters, or 17.9–20.2 gallons in US gallons.
Which 2026 Ford Explorer has the biggest gas tank?
The 20.2-gallon tank is on the Platinum 4dr SUV, Platinum 4dr SUV AWD, ST 4dr SUV and 1 other trim. The smallest tank, 17.9 gallons, is on the Active 4dr SUV AWD w/100A.
Does AWD change the 2026 Ford Explorer gas tank?
No. AWD and RWD versions of the 2026 Ford Explorer use the same 17.9–20.2 gal tank.
How far can a 2026 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
About 412–586 miles on the highway and 340–404 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 2026 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?
About 121 highway miles or 90 in town from the 17.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.5 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2026 Ford Explorer take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2026 Ford Explorer?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 17.9-gallon tank from empty costs $76.43. It ranges from $66.23 in the Gulf Coast to $105.43 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2026 Ford Explorer?
About 125 pounds for the 20.2-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Has the 2026 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2026 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, cross-checked against a second spec database. 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.
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database.
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.