Most Fuel-Efficient Fords for 2022

With fuel prices rising across the nation, buyers are looking for vehicles that offer better fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, luxury, or affordability. As your Zionsville Ford dealer, Pearson Ford has the latest 2022 Ford models that can make daily driving and long-distance travel less expensive. How so?

Ford’s extensive selection of vehicles suits virtually any driver and need, with even the best-selling F-150 coming in many forms of fuel-efficient variants. So whether you love a good performance car like the Mustang or need a large family vehicle with three rows, Ford has something for every driver. Now, it’s our job to show you the most fuel-efficient Fords that will help you decide which vehicle is right for you.

No Fuel Needed!

We might as well ignite fuel-saving enthusiasm with vehicles that require no fuel at all. After all, that’s the future of the automotive industry. And, if you’ve been keeping track of news about EVs, then you know Ford has an impressive start with models like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E.

F-150 Lightning

The F-150 Lightning is Ford’s first fully electric truck and gives you two battery options that affect driving range. These options start with the standard battery that offers an estimated range of up to 230 miles. The extended range battery runs up to 300 miles. In addition, Ford makes recharging your F-150 Lightning as simple as plugging into a home charging station. You’ll also have access to Ford’s nationwide network of rapid charging stations, where drivers can charge on the go.

Mustang Mach-E

Performance-oriented drivers also have an exciting, fully electric option with the 2022 Mustang Mach-E that offers a 314-mile range with the California Route 1 trim. The Mach-E’s standard driving range without the extra battery pack will start at 224 miles. It also bears mentioning that in terms of EVs, fuel efficiency is scored as MPGe. So, with the Mustang Mach-E, the California Route 1 has a combined MPGe of 101, a highway MPGe of 108, and a city MPGe of 94 when equipped with rear-wheel drive.

E-Transit

Ford’s new all-electric options are not limited to powerful pickups and performance vehicles. The 2022 E-Transit is an emissions-free take on the best-selling Ford Transit van. With a range of up to 126 miles, this vehicle is optimized for the needs of commercial businesses, saving money on fuel and maintenance while providing all the capability that is expected from a Ford cargo van. It even comes with Ford’s Pro Power Onboard, giving contractors 2.4kW of available power anywhere the job takes them.

Hybrid Options

When it comes to hybrids, Ford has quite a few options for saving on fuel. Hybrids come in two types: PHEV and HEV, which translates into plug-ins and standard hybrids that don’t need to be plugged in. For 2022, only one plug-in hybrid is available in the Ford lineup, leaving the rest as HEVs.

Escape

The 2022 Escape has a combined MPGe of 105, which applies to the combined use of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor. When relying on gas and conserving electric power, the Escape hybrid averages 40 MPG combined, which is far better than a traditional, gas-powered Escape. Fortunately, this efficiency is available to drivers who don’t want to install a home charger or don’t have access to rapid chargers. How? The Escape is also available as an HEV across its three-trim lineup (SE, SEL, and Titanium).

A standard hybrid like the 2022 Escape SE averages 41 MPG combined when equipped with front-wheel drive. However, it’s important to note that highway driving is less efficient for a hybrid because the powertrain relies on braking to recapture energy and recharge the battery while driving. This explains the Escape’s average fuel economy of 37 MPG on the highway and 44 MPG in the city.

Maverick

Another hybrid option is one of Ford’s lowest-priced vehicles in the lineup, and it’s a compact pickup that many critics are excited about: the 2022 Maverick. The Maverick comes standard as a hybrid but is also available with a gas powertrain. As a hybrid, the front-wheel-drive Maverick averages 37 MPG combined. By relying on energy recapture and regenerative braking, the Maverick gets as much as 42 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

F-150

If you prefer a full-sized truck and want to save on fuel without having to plug in, Ford now offers the F-150 with a hybrid powertrain for its 2022 lineup. Of course, rear-wheel-drive models with the V6 engine are more efficient and average 25 MPG combined. The efficiency scores for city and highway driving are the same for the F-150 HEV, so it averages 25 MPG across the board. Opting for the F-150 with four-wheel drive drops the best-selling truck’s fuel economy to 23 MPG.

Explorer

Buyers needing a three-row SUV can save on fuel with the Explorer HEV, which averages 27 MPG combined on rear-wheel-drive models. Driving the Explorer HEV in the city pushes the SUV’s efficiency to 27 MPG, while highway speeds deliver a slightly higher average of 28 MPG. Opting for the all-wheel-drive Explorer HEV reduces the SUV’s efficiency to a combined average of 25 MPG, 23 MPG in the city, and 26 MPG on the highway.

Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles in Each Segment

Whether you need a cargo van, commuter car, or an SUV, Ford gives you an array of fuel-efficient options that require spending less at the pump. So, what can you expect when shopping the Ford lineup? Here are the most fuel-efficient vehicles in each category.

SUVs

Starting with SUVs, the most fuel-efficient Ford with a traditional gas powertrain is the 2022 Ecosport, which averages 25 MPG combined. You’ll enjoy an average of 29 MPG when driving this five-seat SUV on the highway and only see a slight decrease to 23 MPG when running errands in town. These numbers make the Ecosport a good commuter if you spend a lot of time on the highway, while the standard all-wheel-drive improves its handling and capability in slick conditions.

Anyone in need of a three-row SUV should look to the 2022 Explorer with its combined fuel economy of 23 MPG when equipped with rear-wheel-drive and powered by the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Driving at highway speeds pushes the Explorer’s efficiency to 28 MPG, while driving in the city drops the SUV’s efficiency to 20 MPG. Opting for the Explorer with all-wheel drive only slightly decreases the SUV’s fuel economy to 27 MPG on the highway. Overall, it’s best to avoid the Explorer Timberline if you’re looking to save at the pump, as this model is thirsty for fuel.

If a performance SUV is on your radar, the 2022 Bronco Sport equipped with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine gets pretty good gas mileage. Surprisingly, the Bronco Sport, with its standard four-wheel drive, delivers a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG. Overall, the “Baby Bronco” averages 28 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG in the city, making it a versatile and efficient adventurer if you’re looking to save on gas and still do a little light off-roading.

Trucks

Truck buyers willing to go compact can save on fuel with the 2022 Ranger, which gets better efficiency than the F-150 at 23 MPG combined. Taking the highway means getting up to 26 MPG, while city driving drops the Ranger’s efficiency to 21 MPG. Opting for the Ranger with all-wheel drive only slightly reduces the truck’s efficiency with a combined average of 22 MPG and a highway average of 24 MPG.

Cargo Vans

For buyers in need of a cargo van, the 2022 Ford Transit Connect gets 25 MPG combined as a standard front-wheel-drive model. The Transit Connect gets 27 MPG on the highway, while city driving brings this average down to 24 MPG. When you opt for the flex-fuel model, you’ll enjoy the same efficiency but can use different fuel types, which means you won’t have to pay for the expensive high-octane fuel when it’s time to fill the tank.

Ask Us About Electric and Hybrid Savings

When you purchase an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle from Ford, you may be eligible for tax credits that can significantly reduce the overall price of the vehicle. For example, the federal government offers tax credits up to $7,500 for EVs like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. Similar tax credits come with purchasing a plug-in hybrid like the Escape SE. In addition, Indiana offers other incentives to EV and PHEV buyers, such as $250 for installing a home charging station. As a result, we encourage shoppers to discuss their options with our team to learn more about how to save by purchasing an electric or hybrid Ford.