The Subaru BRZ does 26.5 mpg combined (22.8 city, 31.8 highway), which works out to about $1,449 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 27.5 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 25 — a difference of $140 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru BRZ engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Subaru BRZ ranges from 27.5 down to 25 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $140 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24 / 33 | 2013–2020 | $1,396 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 / 30 | 2022–2026 | $1,536 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru BRZ burns a gallon every 26.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 453 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.121 |
| Fuel per year | $1,449 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,245 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$45 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,915 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru BRZ gives up 9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.8 out there against 22.8 in town, a 39% drop worth $476 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 | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.8 mpg | $1,208 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the BRZ changed over the years
The BRZ peaked in 2016 at 28 mpg (24 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 25 — 3 mpg apart, or $165 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 25. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2025 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2024 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2023 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2022 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2016 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2015 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2014 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2013 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Subaru BRZ — 2 engines across 2013–2026. 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 $2,915. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru BRZ get?
26.5 mpg combined on average — 22.8 in the city and 31.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2026.
How much does a Subaru BRZ cost in fuel per year?
About $1,449 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,245 over five years, or 0.121 dollars a mile.
Which BRZ engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 27.5 mpg, against 25 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $140 a year.
Is the BRZ good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world BRZ 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 BRZ is $2,915 against the $1,449 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 28 and 25 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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