2019 Ford Explorer’s base V6 engine gets 20 mpg combined, while the EcoBoost inline-four raises that number to 22. With 365 horsepower, the EcoBoost V6 is significantly more fun behind the wheel but is not as fuel-efficient.
Key Points
- The 2019 Ford Explorer offers a base 3.5L Ti V6, a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four that’s almost just as powerful, and a nimble 3.5L EcoBoost available for the Sport and Platinum trims.
- Available in Base, XLT, and Limited trims, the standard 3.5L V6 outputs 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.
- A 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four is also available for the same trims, with 280 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, it keeps up with the standard engine while offering up to 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
- The impressive 3.5L EcoBoost V6 boasts as much as 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, but requires visiting gas stations more frequently than other models.
- When properly configured, the Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is enough for a small boat or a pair of jet skis.
2019 Explorer’s Standard 3.5L V6 Ti Engine Boasts an Impressive 290-horsepower While Reaching as High as 22 mpg on the Highway
Similar to previous model years, the 2019 Ford Explorer features a standard 3.5L V6 engine for Base, XLT, and Limited trims. With 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, even the cheapest Explorer can offer reliable performance for a daily-driven family and grocery hauler.
However, it’s certainly not the most fuel-efficient engine mounted on an Explorer. With the four-wheel-drive configuration, the EPA-estimated fuel consumption rates for the base engine sit at 16 miles to the gallon in the city and 22 on the highway (19 combined). Those figures get slightly better if you opt for the front-wheel-drive model (17 city/24 highway/20 combined).
Regardless of the engine or drivetrain, the 2019 model comes with a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission that allows you to switch from fully automatic shifting to semi-automatic.
2019 Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost Four-cylinder Motor Offers Similar Specs as Base Engine While Stretching Combined mpg to 22
Like the standard powertrain, the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is available for Base, XLT, and Limited trims.
Although it’s a smaller powertrain, the turbocharged inline-four is very similar to the standard V6 in performance. Yes, you’ll lose 10 horsepower with the four-cylinder powertrain (from 290 horsepower to 280), but you’ll get 310 lb.-ft. of torque instead of the 255 lb.-ft. that the base engine offers.
What does that mean? Well, if horsepower is what keeps you going, torque is what gets you going. It helps you accelerate more swiftly on the highway, while horsepower helps you maintain higher speeds. So, the inline-four should perform even better than the standard V6 engine in some cases.
The EcoBoost inline-four engine does all of that while offering better fuel economy. With the front-wheel-drive configuration, you can expect up to 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway), which is excellent for a seven-seater full-size SUV. Four-wheel drive is more fun but slightly reduces the fuel consumption (18 city/25 highway/21 combined).
With 365 Horsepower, the 2019 Explorer’s 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Offers a More Engaging Driving Experience but is the Least Fuel-efficient
Sport or Platinum-trimmed Explorers boast a potent 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 producing 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Both trims come as AWD only.
With all of that additional horsepower and torque, you can expect a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, enough to tow a small trailer or a pair of jet skis.
While the EcoBoost V6 is certainly more fun behind the wheel than engines featured in lower trims, it’s the most fuel-hungry. Fuel consumption rates come in at 16 miles to the gallon in the city and 22 on the highway (18 combined).
Even with the most powerful engine, the idea of “exploring” in an Explorer is still mostly limited to paved roads. Sitting relatively low to the ground with 198.7 inches of length, anything more than a mild off-road situation is off the table for this SUV.
All 2019 Explorer Engines are Reliable and Long-lasting, With Only a Few Complaints About Exhaust Fumes Leaking into the Cabin
The Explorer dealt with engine-related complaints throughout most of its fifth generation, such as exhaust fumes entering the cabin and coolant leakage. Find more information about the Ford Explorer’s problems and recalls in our previous post.
Thankfully, things improved for the 2018 model year onwards. None of the 2019 Explorer’s two recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pertain to anything under the hood. And from the 46 registered complaints, only eight fall under “engine.”
Still, six of the eight owners’ engine-related complaints pertain to exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin at highway speeds, causing headaches, dizziness, and nausea for the driver and passengers. The number of complaints isn’t alarming, but it’s best to know the chances for such a problem aren’t zero.
According to reliable auto websites, a Ford Explorer can effortlessly reach 200,000 miles—more than 16 years driving 12,000 miles per year—with the factory-installed engine and transmission, a solid statement for the SUV.
Owners on popular forums, like Explorer Forum, echo these numbers, with some even quoting around 300,000 miles before having to swap the engine.
2019 Ford Explorer Offers Solid Engines, but Opt for the 2.3L Inline-four for the Best Combination of Power and Fuel Efficiency
If you’re in the used market for a 2019 Explorer, choosing between the standard 3.5L V6 and the 2.3L turbocharged inline-four shouldn’t be difficult. With a combined mpg of up to 22 and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, the only downside of the inline-four compared to the standard powertrain is a mere 10-horsepower difference.
If there’s no way you’d settle down with only four cylinders, then the 3.5L twin-turbo V6 offered in the Sport and Platinum trims is a superior engine to opt for. You’ll have 75 horsepower and 95 lb.-ft. of torque more than the standard V6 while sacrificing only one combined mpg.
Photos: Ford
