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Subaru MPG

Subaru averages 26.1 mpg across 21 models — roughly $1,471 a year in fuel. Below, every model from the most frugal to the thirstiest, with what each costs to feed.

EPA fueleconomy.gov · 21 models · 1984–2026 · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Quick answer

Subaru averages 26.1 mpg combined across 21 models (1984–2026). The best on record does 120 mpg, the thirstiest 18 — a yearly fuel gap of about $1,813.

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What that actually costs

What a Subaru costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Subaru fuel cost
MeasureValue
Average combined26.1 mpg
Fuel per year$1,471
Most frugal on record120 mpg — $320 a year
Thirstiest on record18 mpg — $2,133 a year
ROWS 4·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

Subaru models by fuel economy

From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.

FIG.02·Subaru models by fuel economy
ModelAverage mpgBest / Worst engineFuel per year
Subaru Solterra108.0120 / 104$356
Subaru Crosstrek31.336 / 29$1,227
Subaru Justy31.034 / 30$1,239
Subaru XV CrossTrek28.231 / 23$1,362
Subaru XT627.530 / 25$1,396
Subaru BRZ26.528 / 25$1,449
Subaru Impreza26.332 / 21$1,460
Subaru Forester25.435 / 21$1,512
Subaru Loyale24.625 / 23$1,561
Subaru DL24.525 / 23$1,567
Subaru GL24.225 / 23$1,587
Subaru RX24.025 / 23$1,600
Subaru Brat23.825 / 23$1,613
Subaru Outback23.829 / 20$1,613
Subaru Legacy23.830 / 19$1,613
Subaru XT23.425 / 21$1,641
Subaru B9 Tribeca22.728 / 18$1,692
Subaru WRX22.724 / 22$1,692
Subaru Ascent22.523 / 22$1,707
Subaru Baja21.022 / 20$1,829
Subaru SVX18.219 / 18$2,110
ROWS 21·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar
Subaru Solterra 108.0 mpg
$356 a year · 2023–2026
Subaru Crosstrek 31.3 mpg
$1,227 a year · 2017–2026
Subaru Justy 31.0 mpg
$1,239 a year · 1987–1994
Subaru XV CrossTrek 28.2 mpg
$1,362 a year · 2012–2015
Subaru XT6 27.5 mpg
$1,396 a year · 1988–1991
Subaru BRZ 26.5 mpg
$1,449 a year · 2013–2026
Subaru Impreza 26.3 mpg
$1,460 a year · 1993–2026
Subaru Forester 25.4 mpg
$1,512 a year · 1998–2026
Subaru Loyale 24.6 mpg
$1,561 a year · 1990–1994
Subaru DL 24.5 mpg
$1,567 a year · 1984–1989
Subaru GL 24.2 mpg
$1,587 a year · 1984–1989
Subaru RX 24.0 mpg
$1,600 a year · 1986–1989
Subaru Brat 23.8 mpg
$1,613 a year · 1984–1987
Subaru Outback 23.8 mpg
$1,613 a year · 2005–2026
Subaru Legacy 23.8 mpg
$1,613 a year · 1990–2025
Subaru XT 23.4 mpg
$1,641 a year · 1985–1991
Subaru B9 Tribeca 22.7 mpg
$1,692 a year · 2006–2014
Subaru WRX 22.7 mpg
$1,692 a year · 2015–2026
Subaru Ascent 22.5 mpg
$1,707 a year · 2019–2026
Subaru Baja 21.0 mpg
$1,829 a year · 2003–2006
Subaru SVX 18.2 mpg
$2,110 a year · 1992–1997
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How we count

Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.

What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the average Subaru mpg?

26.1 mpg combined across 21 models rated between 1984 and 2026. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.

Which Subaru model is the most economical?

See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.

How much does a Subaru cost to run?

About $1,471 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.

Why does the average look low for a modern brand?

Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.

Fuel-economy ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Fuel cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.