2027 Ford Expedition Engine Options and Fuel Economy: 400 hp vs 440 hp and Real MPG

The 2027 Ford Expedition offers two versions of the same 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and which one you get is decided entirely by the trim and package you order. Ford has now published horsepower, torque, and EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2027 Expedition, so we can finally answer the two questions we get asked most often at Jay Malone Ford: how much power does it make, and what does it actually get for mileage.

This guide breaks down both engines, which trims get which, what Ford's published fuel economy figures are, and one important gap that nobody has an answer to yet.

What engines does the 2027 Ford Expedition offer?

The 2027 Expedition offers two engines: a standard 3.5L EcoBoost V6 rated at 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 High Output rated at 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Both pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability.

There is no V8 and no hybrid in the 2027 Expedition lineup. Both engines share the same architecture: twin turbochargers, a 10.5:1 compression ratio, twin independent variable camshaft timing, and both port fuel and direct injection. The High Output is a different tune of the same fundamental engine, not a different engine family.

That last row matters more than it looks. The High Output engine is not available with rear-wheel drive in any configuration, so if you want 440 horsepower you are also buying four-wheel drive. In Minnesota that is rarely a complaint, but it does mean the two decisions are linked.

Which trims get 400 horsepower and which get 440?

The 440-horsepower High Output engine is standard on the Expedition Tremor and available on Platinum only through the Stealth Performance Package or the Platinum Ultimate Package. Every other retail Expedition uses the 400-horsepower version.

This surprises people, so it is worth stating plainly: the King Ranch is the most expensive Expedition in the lineup and it uses the 400-horsepower engine. Power is not tied to luxury in this lineup. It is tied to two specific performance packages and one off-road trim.

One more wrinkle worth knowing before you build: the Stealth Appearance Package and the Stealth Performance Package sound nearly identical but only one of them changes the engine. Stealth Appearance is a blacked-out look with 22-inch Magnetite wheels and the standard 400-horsepower engine. Stealth Performance includes the Stealth Appearance content and adds the High Output engine, 24-inch Ebony wheels, and the High Flow Exhaust System. If someone tells you they ordered "the Stealth," it is worth asking which one.

If you are still working out which trim fits, our full 2027 Expedition overview walks through the entire lineup, and the 2027 Expedition colors guide covers which paints pair with which trims.

What is the 2027 Ford Expedition's fuel economy?

Ford's published EPA-estimated ratings for the 2027 Expedition are 16 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined for 4x2 models, and 15 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined for 4x4 models. Actual mileage will vary.

One thing that gets overlooked: the Expedition MAX carries a larger fuel tank. The standard-wheelbase Expedition holds 23.6 gallons, while the MAX holds 27.8 gallons. That is a meaningful difference if you regularly run Highway 7 out to Willmar or make the drive down to the Cities and back without wanting to stop.

Do you have to run premium fuel in the 2027 Expedition?

No. Ford lists Regular Unleaded as the recommended fuel for the 2027 Expedition. However, the 400 and 440 horsepower ratings are measured on premium fuel per the SAE J1349 standard, so on regular you should expect slightly less than the advertised peak output.

This is a detail almost nobody explains, and it causes real confusion. You are not required to run premium, you will not damage the engine on regular, and the truck is designed and recommended to run on regular. The horsepower number on the brochure is simply a best-case measurement taken under a standardized test using premium. For most of what an Expedition does around McLeod County, you will never notice the difference. If you are pulling a heavy trailer up a grade on a hot day, a tank of premium is a reasonable thing to try.

Why is there no MPG rating for the Expedition Tremor?

Ford has not published a separate EPA fuel economy estimate for the High Output engine, which means there is no official figure for the Tremor, the Platinum Ultimate, or the Platinum Stealth Performance. Ford has also not published a separate rating for the Expedition MAX.

We are not going to guess at a number. You will find sites that quietly apply the 4x4 figure to the Tremor, and that is not a safe assumption. The Tremor runs a different engine tune, a modified higher ride suspension, a high flow exhaust, and P275/70R18E all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. All-terrain tires alone typically carry a fuel economy penalty compared to the all-season tires on a Platinum. Applying a Platinum's rating to a Tremor would understate what it actually uses.

What we can tell you honestly: expect the Tremor to use more fuel than a 4x4 Platinum, and treat 15 city and 22 highway as an optimistic ceiling rather than a target. When Ford publishes the official figure, we will update this page. If you want to be notified when that happens, send us a note and we will follow up.

For everything else the Tremor brings, our 2027 Expedition Tremor deep dive covers the off-road hardware, drive modes, and standard equipment in full.

How much does choosing 4x4 actually cost you at the pump?

Using Ford's published combined figures, the difference between 4x2 and 4x4 is one mile per gallon. Over 15,000 miles of driving, that works out to roughly 44 additional gallons of fuel per year, or about two extra tank fills.

That is the honest math, and for most people around here it settles the question quickly. Two extra fill-ups a year is not a reason to skip four-wheel drive in a place where the first real snow can show up in October and the gravel section roads soften every spring. We sell very few rear-wheel-drive Expeditions in McLeod County, and this is why.

Where 4x2 does make sense: if the Expedition lives on pavement, stays close to town, and you have another vehicle for winter, the rear-drive version gives up nothing except traction and picks up the better rating. It is a legitimate choice, just an uncommon one this far into central Minnesota.

Is the High Output engine worth it for central Minnesota driving?

For most families, no. The standard 400-horsepower EcoBoost with 480 lb-ft of torque is already more capable than what a three-row family SUV typically needs, and it is the engine in the King Ranch, the Platinum, and every Active.

The High Output engine earns its keep in two situations. The first is genuine off-road use, where it comes bundled with the Tremor's locking rear differential, Rock Crawl mode, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. That package as a whole is what you are buying, not the extra 40 horsepower. The second is regular heavy towing where the additional 30 lb-ft of torque and the high flow exhaust give you more margin on a loaded trailer.

If you are towing a boat out to Lake Minnewaska a few weekends a summer, or hauling a small livestock trailer, the standard engine handles it. If you are pulling something heavy every week, or you actually use the truck on unmaintained ground, the conversation changes. Towing capacity varies quite a bit by configuration and body length, and it is worth walking through against your specific trailer rather than a brochure number. Give us a call at (320) 587-4748 and we will run it with you.

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the 2027 Ford Expedition have?

The standard 3.5L EcoBoost V6 produces 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The available 3.5L EcoBoost V6 High Output produces 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Both use a 10-speed automatic transmission.

What MPG does the 2027 Ford Expedition get?

Ford's published EPA-estimated ratings are 16 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined for 4x2 models, and 15 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined for 4x4 models. Actual mileage will vary with load, weather, and driving conditions.

Does the 2027 Expedition Tremor have an MPG rating?

Not yet. Ford has not published a separate EPA estimate for the High Output engine, so there is no official figure for the Tremor, Platinum Ultimate, or Stealth Performance. We will update this page when Ford releases it rather than publishing an estimate.

Which 2027 Expedition trims come with the 440 horsepower engine?

The Expedition Tremor comes with it standard. On Platinum, it is included with the Stealth Performance Package and the Platinum Ultimate Package. Active, King Ranch, base Platinum, Platinum with Stealth Appearance, and Platinum with the 30th Anniversary Appearance Package all use the 400 horsepower engine.

Does the 2027 Ford Expedition require premium fuel?

No. Ford lists Regular Unleaded as the recommended fuel. The published horsepower and torque figures are measured on premium fuel per the SAE J1349 standard, so peak output on regular will be slightly lower, but the vehicle is designed to run on regular.

Is there a V8 or hybrid 2027 Expedition?

No. The 2027 Expedition lineup uses the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in standard or High Output form. There is no V8 and no hybrid powertrain offered.

Can you get the High Output engine with rear-wheel drive?

No. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 High Output is available only with four-wheel drive. The Tremor is 4x4 only, and both the Stealth Performance and Platinum Ultimate packages require 4x4.

How big is the fuel tank on the 2027 Expedition?

The standard-wheelbase Expedition has a 23.6 gallon fuel capacity. The longer Expedition MAX has a 27.8 gallon capacity.

Come drive one and see for yourself

I will be honest with you about this one. The spec sheet question people ask me is almost always "which engine should I get," and the answer for most families walking into our showroom in Hutchinson is the standard one. Four hundred horsepower in a three-row SUV was flagship territory not that long ago. It is now the base engine.

Where I would slow down and have a real conversation is if you tow regularly or you genuinely use the vehicle off pavement. Those are the two cases where the High Output engine and the hardware bundled with it change what the truck can do. Everybody else is better served putting that money toward the seats, the sound system, or the package that makes the school run and the trip to the lake more comfortable.

We have been helping families in Hutchinson, Litchfield, Glencoe, Cokato, and Winsted sort out exactly this kind of question since 2005. Stop by 1165 Highway 7 West, call us at (320) 587-4748, or reserve your 2027 Expedition and we will help you build it right the first time.

Vehicle details for the 2027 Expedition come from the most current information Ford has released and can change as the model year progresses. EPA-estimated ratings are for comparison purposes only; actual mileage will vary with driving conditions, load, and how you maintain your vehicle. We update this page as new details are confirmed, and we always verify exact specifications for your trim and build before you order.