What is the gas mileage on a Ford Falcon?
There isn't a single fuel economy figure for the Ford Falcon. Mileage depends on the generation, engine, and transmission.
In Australia, where the Falcon was produced from the 1960s until 2016, the two most common modern powertrains were the 4.0-litre Barra inline-six and various V8 options. The actual economy varies with driving style, maintenance, and vehicle condition, and the Falcon line has been out of production since 2016, so modern official numbers are limited to archival data and used-car records.
Fuel economy by engine type
Below are typical combined fuel-economy ranges for common Falcon powerplants used from the 1990s through 2016. These figures are approximate and can vary by year, transmission, and driving conditions.
Core engine options and typical ranges
- 4.0L Barra inline-six (common in EF/EL/BA-era Falcons): roughly 10–12 L/100 km combined (about 19–28 mpg US); highway often toward the lower end of that range (roughly 9–11 L/100 km).
- V8 variants (5.0–5.4L, used in XR8/GT and related models): roughly 12–15 L/100 km combined (about 15–20 mpg US); highway figures frequently near 9–12 L/100 km.
- Older carbureted sixes and earlier inline-sixes (earlier XA/XB era and similar): typically 12–16 L/100 km combined (about 14–19 mpg US), with variations by carburation and gearing.
These ranges reflect the era and configuration most commonly found in Australian Falcons and are intended as a general guide. Real-world results can swing based on maintenance, load, traffic, and how the car is driven.
How to estimate mileage for a specific Falcon today
To gauge the fuel economy of a Falcon you own or are considering, use the following approach. It helps account for the car’s current condition and usage rather than relying on past labels.
- Identify the exact model year, engine, and transmission of the car you’re evaluating.
- Fill the tank completely, reset the trip odometer, and drive normally for a defined distance (e.g., 100 km or 62 miles).
- Refill the tank and calculate fuel consumption as litres per 100 km (L/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg US).
- Repeat the process for at least two trips to get a more reliable average.
- Consider variables such as tire pressure, load, climate, and maintenance (spark plugs, injectors, air filters, and coolant system) that can affect economy.
Keep in mind that real-world mileage varies with driving style and vehicle condition, and older Falcons often show more variance between city and highway driving than newer models.
Summary
The Ford Falcon does not have a single, universal fuel-economy figure. Across common Australian configurations from the 1990s to 2016, the 4.0L Barra inline-six typically yields about 10–12 L/100 km combined (roughly 19–28 mpg US), while V8 variants usually run about 12–15 L/100 km combined (roughly 15–20 mpg US). Carried into real-world driving, results vary with maintenance, driving conditions, and individual model specifics. The Falcon was discontinued in 2016, so for current buyers, mileage data should be drawn from the specific used-car example and its service history.
How many miles per gallon does a 1964 Ford Falcon get?
The 144 cu in (2.4 L) engine was first introduced in the 1960 Ford Falcon. The 144 was made from 1960 through 1964 and averaged 90 hp (67 kW) during the production run. While not known for being powerful or a stout engine, it proved to be economical and could get fairly good gas mileage for the time (up to 25-30mpg).
How many miles per gallon does a Ford Falcon get?
Ford Falcon MPG varies significantly by model year, with older models achieving 30 mpg or more, while more recent versions are less fuel-efficient, typically ranging from 10 to 17 liters per 100 km (9.9−15.1 L/100 km9.9 minus 15.1 L/100 km9.9−15.1 L/100 km), especially in city driving. The specific fuel economy depends on factors like engine size, driving conditions, and whether the vehicle uses petrol or a more economical alternative like LPG.
You can watch this video to learn about the fuel economy of a Ford Falcon from 1998: 59sMike's Man CaveYouTube · Mar 31, 2019
Older models (e.g., 1960s)
- Achieved up to 30 mpg or more, with a 1961 model averaging 32.6 mpg in a specific economy run.
- These older models often had smaller engines and were designed with fuel efficiency in mind.
Newer models (e.g., 2000s and later)
- Vary significantly based on engine and driving conditions.
- Urban driving: Can consume between 10 to 17 liters per 100 km (12−17 L/100 km12 minus 17 L/100 km12−17 L/100 km) or more.
- Highway driving: Might see improvements, potentially around 8 to 10 liters per 100 km (8−10 L/100 km8 minus 10 L/100 km8−10 L/100 km).
- Examples:
- 2009 model: Fuel economy ranged from 9.9 L/100 km to 15.1 L/100 km depending on the specific trim.
- 2010 XR6 FG model: Drivers reported fuel economy around 16.6 L/100 km for mostly city driving.
- Efficiency improvements: Later models saw the introduction of engines like the 2.0L Ecoboost in 2012, designed to improve fuel efficiency.
Tips for improving fuel economy
- Consider LPG: Some Falcons can be converted to LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), which can be more economical than petrol.
- Check the engine: Issues with spark plugs, fuel injectors, or fuel pumps can negatively impact fuel economy, so ensure the engine is in good working order.
- Drive smoothly: Avoiding aggressive acceleration and high-RPM driving can lead to better fuel consumption.
How many miles per gallon did the 1962 Ford Falcon get?
32.5 mpg‑US
In 1962, Ford introduced the Ford Falcon Club Wagon and Deluxe Club Wagon, an eight-passenger, Ford Econoline cab over engine van. Ford also promoted that in a Mobilgas economy run, the Falcon got 32.5 mpg‑US (7.2 L/100 km; 39.0 mpg‑imp).
How many miles per gallon did a 1961 Ford Falcon get?
33mpg in 1961 During the 1961 Mobilgas Economy 1,000 mile Run, a Ford Falcon averaged 32.6mpg, winning the event. The engine was the 144ci straight 6cyl mated to a manual transmission.
