The Subaru Brat does 23.8 mpg combined (21.8 city, 26.8 highway), which works out to about $1,613 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru Brat engine, compared
The Subaru Brat 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 26.8 | 1984–1987 | $1,613 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru Brat burns a gallon every 23.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 504 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,613 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,065 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$119 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,625 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru Brat gives up 5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.8 out there against 21.8 in town, a 23% drop worth $328 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.8 mpg | $1,761 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.8 mpg | $1,433 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Brat changed over the years
The Brat peaked in 1985 at 25 mpg (23 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1987 at 23 — 2 mpg apart, or $134 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1987 car does 23. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1985 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1984 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 |
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 Brat — 1 engine across 1984–1987. 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 $2,625. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru Brat get?
23.8 mpg combined on average — 21.8 in the city and 26.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1987.
How much does a Subaru Brat cost in fuel per year?
About $1,613 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,065 over five years, or 0.134 dollars a mile.
Which Brat engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 23.8 mpg.
Is the Brat good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Brat figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Subaru Brat is $2,625 against the $1,613 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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