How many miles per gallon does a 2003 Ford Excursion 6.8 L V-10 get?

In broad terms, a 2003 Ford Excursion with the 6.8-liter V-10 typically delivers about 12 miles per gallon in city driving and around 17 mpg on the highway, with a combined figure near 14–15 mpg; actual results vary by drivetrain, load, and driving habits.

Overview of the powertrain and fuel-use expectations

The Excursion was Ford’s large, body-on-frame SUV designed to haul people and gear, often with a substantial tow load. The 6.8L V-10 prioritizes power and durability over fuel efficiency. Buyers could choose two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and a heavy-duty transmission; these choices, along with payload and towing, influence real-world fuel economy.

Fuel Economy Snapshot

Drivetrain Breakdown

These ranges reflect typical EPA-style estimates for the 2003 Excursion with the 6.8L V-10, separated by drivetrain. Real-world mileage varies with load, towing, terrain, and maintenance.

• 2WD (two-wheel drive): about 12 mpg in the city and about 17 mpg on the highway; combined roughly 14–15 mpg.


• 4WD (four-wheel drive): about 11 mpg in the city and about 16 mpg on the highway; combined roughly 13–14 mpg.

In practice, many owners report mid-teens combined when not towing and under steady cruising, while heavy payloads or towing can drop numbers into the low-teens.

What Influences MPG on this Model

Several factors determine the real-world fuel economy of a 2003 Excursion with the 6.8L V-10. The following elements typically have the biggest impact.

• Weight, payload, and towing: Additional load increases engine work and lowers mpg.


• Drivetrain and gearing: 2WD vs. 4WD and axle ratios affect efficiency.


• Tire size and rolling resistance: Larger or under-inflated tires raise resistance and reduce mpg.


• Maintenance and condition: Fresh spark plugs, clean air and fuel filters, proper alignment, and a healthy fuel system help sustain efficiency.


• Driving style and terrain: Stop-and-go urban driving, hills, and aggressive acceleration reduce mpg; steady highway cruising improves it.


• Climate control use: Air conditioning and electrical loads can shave a bit off fuel economy.

Overall, the 2003 Excursion with the 6.8L V-10 is not a fuel-economy leader; expect mid-teens combined in typical use, with lower numbers when towing or carrying heavy loads.

Summary

The 2003 Ford Excursion equipped with the 6.8L V-10 generally achieves around 12 mpg in city driving and 17 mpg on the highway, translating to a combined figure near 14–15 mpg. Real-world results depend on drivetrain (2WD vs 4WD), payload, towing, and driving behavior. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, these vehicles demand a trade-off with their size, towing capability, and payload capacity.

What is the best year for the V10 excursion?

The best Ford Excursion V10 years are generally considered to be from 2003 onward, as this is when the engine received improvements like upgraded cylinder heads and deeper spark plug threads, which helped address common issues. While most model years are reliable, 2003 and later models offer the most desirable upgrades. 
This video explains why the Ford Excursion was a great truck and still holds its value today: 1mMy Old CarYouTube · Apr 6, 2024
Why 2003 and later are considered the best

• Improved cylinder heads: 2003 models received upgraded "Performance Improved" (PI) heads, which improved airflow and performance. 
• Deeper spark plug threads: Starting around 2002, Ford implemented deeper spark plug threads to reduce the risk of blowout, a problem that was more common in earlier models. 
• 3-valve upgrade (2005+): The 2005 model year introduced a 3-valve per cylinder design, which boosted horsepower to 362 and torque to 460 lb-ft. 

Other considerations

• Reliability: Even the earlier 2000-2002 models are known for their overall reliability, with many reaching over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. 
• Engine durability: The V10 engine is considered a robust and dependable choice, especially when compared to later diesel options like the 6.0L, which had more known issues. 
• Maintenance: The engine bay is more accessible than in other trucks, making it easier to perform maintenance like spark plug replacement. 

You can watch this video to learn about the Ford Excursion V10 engine's performance and reliability: 59sTwoGuys OneCoupeYouTube · Sep 7, 2021

What is the fuel economy of a 2005 Ford Excursion Limited 6.8 L V10 4wd SUV?

The mileage around home is about 17mpg and over the road about 19 mpg. Pulling the trailer or boat it dropped to 12 mpg. It is comfortable to drive.

How many miles per gallon does a 6.8 V10 Ford Excursion get?

The Ford Excursion with a 6.8L V10 typically gets 8 to 13 MPG, depending on driving conditions and towing. Expect 12-14 MPG on the highway when empty, but this can drop to around 6-8 MPG when towing a heavy load. Factors like rear axle gearing, tire size, and driving habits significantly affect real-world fuel economy.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the V10's fuel economy: 1mJohn Drives AnythingYouTube · Feb 25, 2020
Typical mileage

• Highway (unloaded): 12-14 MPG
• City/Mixed (unloaded): 10-12 MPG
• Towing (heavy load): 6-8 MPG 

Factors that influence MPG

• Towing and load: Hauling a trailer significantly reduces fuel economy, with mileage dropping to 6-8 MPG. 
• Gearing: The rear axle ratio plays a large role. Lower gears (higher number, like 4.304.304.30) can improve towing performance but may decrease highway MPG compared to stock 3.733.733.73 gears. 
• Tire size: Larger tires increase rotational mass and can negatively impact fuel efficiency. 
• Driving habits: Aggressive driving, like flooring the accelerator, will decrease MPG, while consistent, moderate speeds on the highway will yield better results. 
• Vehicle maintenance: Proper maintenance, including spark plug and coil replacement, can help the engine run more efficiently. 

What is the gas mileage on a 2003 Ford Excursion V10?

Despite what everyone says about fuel mileage, we love our Excursion. The talking heads would have you believe that the V10 only gets 12-13 mpg highway but ours averages 16-18.5. When you consider that it weighs just shy of 6000 lbs without people and gear, that? s pretty impressive.