Gas prices on Long Island are running around $4.65 per gallon for regular right now, and that number makes fuel economy more than a spec sheet detail. It becomes a real budget question. A Ford that gets 38 MPG versus one that gets 19 MPG does not just feel different at the pump. The difference works out to over $1,800 per year at 15,000 miles. This post covers confirmed EPA fuel economy figures for the current Ford models covered in this guide that are available at Biener Ford, what those numbers translate to in actual annual fuel cost, and where real-world Long Island driving will push your numbers away from the sticker.

Most Efficient: Ford Maverick Hybrid

The Ford Maverick Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Ford’s entire lineup, and it is not particularly close. The 2026 Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive carries an EPA estimate of 42 MPG city, 35 MPG highway, and 38 MPG combined. Those numbers beat most non-hybrid compact cars and are genuinely remarkable for a pickup truck.

The city figure is the key. The Maverick Hybrid uses a self-charging system: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a continuously variable transmission. It does not plug in. It charges itself through regenerative braking, which means stop-and-go driving in Elmont or on the LIE actually helps rather than hurts fuel economy. Edmunds has independently verified over 40 MPG combined in real-world testing, confirming the EPA estimate is achievable.

The optional 2.0L EcoBoost non-hybrid Maverick rates at 26 MPG combined. It is more powerful but the fuel cost difference is significant.

For a driver coming from a Honda CR-V averaging 28 to 30 MPG, the Maverick Hybrid represents a genuine reduction in annual fuel cost even though it is a truck.

Compact SUVs: Bronco Sport

The Bronco Sport is Ford’s compact SUV available at Biener Ford. The 2026 Bronco Sport with the standard 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder, which covers the Big Bend, Heritage, and Outer Banks trims, is rated at 27 MPG combined. The Badlands trim with the larger 2.0L EcoBoost drops to 24 MPG combined. All Bronco Sport trims include standard AWD.

The Bronco Sport is not a fuel economy leader but it is reasonable for an AWD compact SUV with genuine off-road capability. Car and Driver’s highway testing returned numbers above the EPA estimate, suggesting the 30 MPG highway figure is achievable in steady-flow conditions on the Meadowbrook or Southern State.

Midsize Trucks and SUVs: Ranger and Explorer

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger with the standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder is rated at 23 MPG combined in RWD and 22 MPG combined in 4WD. The available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 drops to approximately 21 MPG combined.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer with the standard 2.3L EcoBoost is rated at 24 MPG combined in RWD and 23 MPG combined in AWD. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 drops to approximately 19 MPG combined.

The Explorer Hybrid is the standout in this segment at 40 MPG combined, making it one of the most efficient three-row SUVs available anywhere. For a family doing a lot of suburban driving around Mineola, Garden City, or Port Washington, the fuel savings over a standard Explorer are substantial.

The Explorer Hybrid’s fuel cost advantage over the standard AWD Explorer works out to approximately $1,289 per year at 15,000 miles and current Long Island prices.

Full-Size Truck: F-150 by Engine

The Ford F-150 offers more engine choices than any other vehicle in this guide, and the fuel economy spread between them is wider than most buyers realize. Choosing the right engine is the single biggest lever on your annual fuel bill if you are buying an F-150.

All figures above are sourced from fueleconomy.gov and confirmed via buildpriceoption.com’s 2026 F-150 MPG guide.

The PowerBoost Hybrid is the fuel economy leader by a clear margin. At 23 MPG combined in 4×4, it beats the 2.7L EcoBoost in 2WD while also producing 430 horsepower and 578 lb-ft of torque. For a contractor driving from Hicksville to job sites across Nassau County daily, the PowerBoost’s fuel cost advantage over the 5.0L V8 works out to roughly $638 per year at 15,000 miles, more at higher annual mileage.

The 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost produce nearly identical combined figures at 19 and 20 MPG respectively. Both run on regular fuel. The towing advantage of the 3.5L EcoBoost, which pulls up to 13,500 pounds versus the V8’s 12,900 pounds, is the more meaningful differentiator for most working truck buyers.

Large SUV: Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 carries an EPA estimate of 17 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, and 19 MPG combined. This is consistent across most trim levels including XLT, Limited, Platinum, and King Ranch.

At 19 MPG combined, the Expedition is in the same range as the F-150 V8. It is not the vehicle to choose if fuel economy is the primary concern. It is the vehicle to choose when three rows, a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds, and full-size interior space are all required in one package.

Performance: Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT

The Ford Mustang comes in two primary configurations at Biener Ford.

The Mustang EcoBoost with the turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder is rated at 22 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined. At highway speeds on the Northern State or the LIE, 33 MPG from a 315-horsepower sports car is a strong number.

The Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 is rated at approximately 15 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, and 18 MPG combined. The GT runs on premium fuel.

The annual fuel cost difference between the EcoBoost and the GT works out to approximately $1,479 per year at 15,000 miles. Over five years that is roughly $7,395. The GT’s V8 character, torque delivery, and the option of a six-speed manual are what buyers pay for, in addition to the higher purchase price.

Regular vs. Premium Fuel: Which Fords Need Which

At Long Island prices, the gap between regular and premium is currently around $0.35 per gallon. Over 15,000 miles that adds up.

Runs on regular 87 octane: Maverick Hybrid, Maverick EcoBoost, Bronco Sport, Ranger, Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost, Explorer Hybrid, F-150 2.7L EcoBoost, F-150 5.0L V8, F-150 3.5L EcoBoost, F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, Expedition, Mustang EcoBoost.

Requires or recommends premium: Mustang GT 5.0L V8 (premium recommended), F-150 Raptor 3.5L High-Output (premium required), F-150 Raptor R 5.2L Supercharged V8 (premium required), Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost ST (premium recommended).

For most F-150, Explorer, Bronco Sport, and Maverick buyers, regular fuel is the answer. The Raptor is the significant exception. At 16 MPG on premium fuel, the annual fuel cost gap between a Raptor and a 2.7L EcoBoost F-150 on regular is approximately $1,367 per year at 15,000 miles.

Why Your Real-World MPG Will Differ From the EPA Number

The EPA figures in this post are the most accurate available benchmark for comparing one Ford against another. They are not a guarantee of what you will see on your trip computer, particularly in Long Island driving conditions.

The LIE, the Northern State, and the roads between Elmont and the city are not the EPA’s test cycle. Stop-and-go traffic below 30 MPH is the worst-case scenario for non-hybrid vehicles. It is exactly where hybrid systems like the Maverick’s and the Explorer Hybrid’s perform better than their highway ratings, because regenerative braking recaptures energy at every stop.

Cold mornings in Nassau County reduce fuel economy on every vehicle by 5 to 15 percent depending on trip length. Short trips under 5 miles in January are the furthest from EPA test conditions. The engine never fully warms up, fuel trims run rich, and you pay for it at the pump.

Towing drops fuel economy significantly regardless of engine. An F-150 rated at 21 MPG combined will return closer to 13 to 15 MPG pulling a loaded trailer at highway speed. Plan your fuel costs accordingly if towing is a regular part of how you use the truck.

A reasonable working adjustment for Long Island mixed driving is a 10 to 15 percent discount to the EPA combined figure for non-hybrid vehicles. Hybrid models tend to be more accurately estimated for stop-and-go conditions and the EPA combined figure is a reliable starting point for the Maverick Hybrid and Explorer Hybrid in this market.

FAQ: Ford Fuel Economy on Long Island

What is the most fuel-efficient Ford you can buy? The Ford Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive is the most efficient vehicle in Ford’s entire lineup at 38 MPG combined EPA, with 42 MPG city. At current Long Island gas prices, annual fuel cost at 15,000 miles is approximately $1,837.

What is the Ford Explorer gas mileage? The 2026 Ford Explorer with the standard 2.3L EcoBoost is rated at 24 MPG combined in RWD and 23 MPG combined in AWD. The Explorer Hybrid is rated at 40 MPG combined. The 3.0L EcoBoost ST drops to approximately 19 MPG combined.

What is the F-150 MPG by engine? The most efficient F-150 is the PowerBoost Hybrid at 23 MPG combined in 4×4. The 2.7L EcoBoost gets 21 MPG combined in 2WD. The 5.0L V8 gets 19 MPG combined. The 3.5L EcoBoost gets 20 MPG combined in 2WD. The Raptor with the High-Output 3.5L gets approximately 16 MPG combined and requires premium fuel.

Does the Ford F-150 take regular or premium gas? Most F-150 models run on regular 87 octane, including the 2.7L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, 3.5L EcoBoost, and PowerBoost Hybrid. The Raptor requires premium. The Raptor R also requires premium.

What is the Ford Maverick MPG? The 2026 Maverick Hybrid FWD is EPA-rated at 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined. The Maverick Hybrid AWD is rated at 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined. The non-hybrid 2.0L EcoBoost Maverick is rated at approximately 26 MPG combined.

What is the Mustang EcoBoost MPG? The 2026 Mustang EcoBoost with the 2.3L four-cylinder is EPA-rated at 22 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined on regular fuel. The Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 is rated at approximately 18 MPG combined and runs on premium.

Where can I test drive these vehicles on Long Island? Biener Ford in Great Neck serves drivers from Elmont, Mineola, Garden City, Manhasset, Port Washington, Hicksville, and across Nassau County. Browse current Ford inventory or contact the team to arrange a test drive.