Against 265 other 4-cyl cars rated 2004–2006, the Baja trails their 24.4 mpg average by 2.4 mpg, about $171 a year.
Every Subaru Baja engine, compared
The Subaru Baja was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 19 / 25 | 2003–2006 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Chevrolet Trailblazer gets 16 mpg, the Honda Element 21.3 mpg and the Nissan Xterra 17 mpg, next to 22 mpg for the 2006 Baja. The Baja is the cheapest of them to run: $655 a year less than the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2006) | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2004–2006 | +$171 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,963 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2006 Subaru Baja gives up 6 mpg in town: 26 on the highway against 20 in the city, $443 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2006) | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Baja changed over the years
The Baja peaked in 2006 at 22 mpg (20 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 20 — 2 mpg apart, or $175 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Subaru Baja — 1 engine across 2003–2006. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,963. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2006 Subaru Baja get?
22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2003 the Baja has averaged 21 mpg.
Is the 2006 Baja more efficient than the 2005?
Yes: 22 against 21 mpg combined, about $84 a year less to run.
Which Baja year has the best gas mileage?
The 2006, at 22 mpg combined (20 city, 26 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Baja get better gas mileage than the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Yes: 22 mpg for the 2006 Baja against 16 for the 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, about $655 a year less to run.
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