2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid Fuel Economy Revealed
Upon announcing the new 2020 Explorer Limited Hybrid at the beginning of the year, Ford promised that its more efficient version of the SUV would return an EPA-estimated 500 miles per tank of gas with rear-wheel drive. This month, that figure has been confirmed, as have 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid fuel economy numbers.
When equipped with rear-wheel drive, the 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid indeed delivers over 500 miles per tank. This equals out to an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. With four-wheel drive, range drops to over 450 miles per tank and fuel economy falls to 23 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.
More Hybrids Coming from Ford: 2020 Ford Escape will offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains
“Explorer is the ultimate family adventure vehicle — and fewer pit stops is one of the latest reasons why,” said Bill Gubing, Explorer chief engineer. “Explorer provides space for the whole family and their gear, it’s got great towing capability, and now it has range like no Explorer before.”
Both hybrid variants, unsurprisingly, offer superior fuel economy overall than the 2.3-liter EcoBoost (with both RWD and 4WD) and the 3.0-liter EcoBoost. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost does, however, offer better highway fuel economy with RWD (28 mpg) and 4WD (27 mpg) than the Limited Hybrid 4WD. The RWD 2.3-liter EcoBoost returns 21 mpg in the city and 24 mpg combined, and the 4WD 2.3-liter EcoBoost returns 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg combined.
The 3.0-liter EcoBoost is rated at 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. Ford didn’t clarify whether these figures were for the 365-horsepower variant, the 400-horsepower variant offered with the Explorer ST, or both.
Ford is pushing the Explorer Limited Hybrid as much for its capabilities as its fuel economy. With the available Class III Tow Package, it tows up to 5,000 pounds, which is 1,500 pounds more than a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and as much as a 2019 Explore equipped with the outgoing 3.5-liter EcoBoost.
More Ford Capability: 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty gets Tremor Off-Road Package
Richard Bazzy is the face of Shults Ford, the No. 1 Ford dealer in Pittsburgh and all of Pennsylvania. Known for his unique approach to selling cars and his penchant for cowboy hats, Richard runs Shults Ford of Harmarville, Shults Ford Lincoln of Wexford, and Shults Ford South. Visit his YouTube channel and see just how well Richard Bazzy can yee a haw.