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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Limited AWD 302
Same could be said for many vehicles.
My mom had a 1991 Toyota Camry that got 45-50mpg on the highway. A new Camry gets 35ish. Even the newer hybrid "only" gets 40mpg.
What I've found on Fuelly is that the 5th gen has generally higher MPG vs. 2nd gen, especially if you are comparing similar engines(N/A V6 vs. N/A V6).
You also have to remember, the 5th gen explorer weighs more than the 2nd gen, so getting this beast moving takes more energy. Getting even similar city MPG in a vehicle that weights ~800lbs more is a definite improvement.
I think you need to go and actually weigh any 5th gen Explorer. They do not weigh 5300 pounds. The 1st and 2nd gen Explorers all weigh 4500-4700 pounds, actual weights. That's not the two door models, that's the normal sized 4dr's. My first 91 Explorer weighed 4700 pounds leaving a scrap yard in about 2000, my 98 Mercury weighed 4600lbs if I recall correctly, also from the same scrap yard in the early 2000's.
The full frame of a vehicle weighs a bunch, it adds a lot to the overall weight of the vehicle. I bet the 5th gens are under 4500 pounds.