2015 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2015 Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Touareg Diesel
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 23 MPG
The 2015 Ford Explorer is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, it costs about $2,022 a year to fuel (23 MPG), versus $2,413 for the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg Diesel (23 MPG). That's roughly $391 a year, or about $1,957 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford Explorer
- Volkswagen Touareg Diesel
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Volkswagen Touareg Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,022 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,413 |
| 23 MPG | Combined efficiency | 23 MPG |
| 20 MPG | City | 20 MPG |
| 27 MPG | Highway | 29 MPG |
| 394 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 445 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Diesel |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Diesel |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Touareg Diesel across model years
- Ford Explorer
- Volkswagen Touareg Diesel
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 45 2015 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer ranks 4th and the Volkswagen Touareg Diesel 15th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford Explorer is a conventional gas model, while the Volkswagen Touareg Diesel is a diesel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Ford Explorer or the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg Diesel?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorer is rated 23 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Touareg Diesel 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Ford Explorer vs. the Volkswagen Touareg Diesel per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $2,022 for the Ford Explorer and $2,413 for the Volkswagen Touareg Diesel.
Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Touareg Diesel in other years
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