How many miles per gallon does a 2003 Ford Excursion 6.8 L V10 get?
The 2003 Ford Excursion with the 6.8-liter V10 typically gets about 12 miles per gallon in city driving and around 18 miles per gallon on the highway, with variations based on drivetrain and usage.
EPA estimates by drivetrain
The following figures reflect era-appropriate estimates and can vary by model condition, driving habits, and payload. Use them as a general guide rather than a precise guarantee.
- 4x2 (two-wheel drive): approximately 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway
- 4x4 (four-wheel drive): approximately 11 mpg city, 16 mpg highway
These numbers illustrate how drivetrain configuration influenced efficiency for the 2003 Excursion with the 6.8L V10 engine. Real-world results often differ based on load, towing, and terrain.
Context and factors that affect mileage
The Excursion is a large, heavy SUV designed for capability and space rather than economy. Towing, full seating, aerodynamic factors, and driving style all play a significant role in actual fuel economy. Even within the same drivetrain configuration, owners frequently report mileage variations due to conditions such as elevation, temperature, and maintenance history.
Tips that can help maximize fuel economy
To improve mileage where possible, keep up with regular maintenance (air filter, spark plugs, oil changes), maintain proper tire inflation, remove unnecessary weight, use cruise control on highway sections, and plan efficient routing to minimize stop-and-go driving.
Real-world expectations
In everyday use, many drivers of the 2003 Excursion with the 6.8L V10 report mileage in the low-teens under typical mixed driving, with highway trips potentially pushing toward the high-teens when conditions are favorable and payload is light. Towing and heavy loads can reduce fuel economy further.
Summary
For a 2003 Ford Excursion equipped with the 6.8L V10, expect roughly 11–12 mpg in city driving and 16–18 mpg on highways, with exact numbers depending on drivetrain (4x2 vs 4x4), towing, payload, and driving conditions. Real-world mileage will vary, so use these figures as a baseline and adjust expectations based on your specific setup and use.
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.
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
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.
