The Subaru Crosstrek does 31.2 mpg combined (29.8 city, 33.8 highway), which works out to about $1,231 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 36 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 29 — a difference of $257 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru Crosstrek engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Subaru Crosstrek ranges from 36 down to 29 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $257 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 36 / 36 | 2026–2026 | $1,067 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 36 / 35 | 2019–2023 | $1,097 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 27.1 / 33.2 | 2016–2025 | $1,306 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 26 / 33 | 2026–2026 | $1,324 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru Crosstrek burns a gallon every 31.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 385 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,231 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,155 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$263 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,022 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru Crosstrek gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.8 out there against 29.8 in town, a 13% drop worth $153 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 | 29.8 mpg | $1,289 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.8 mpg | $1,136 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (13%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Crosstrek changed over the years
The Crosstrek peaked in 2026 at 32.5 mpg (31 city, 34.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2025 at 29 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $142 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 32.5. 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 | 31 / 34.5 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2025 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2023 | 32 / 34 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 32 / 34 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2020 | 31.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2019 | 31.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2017 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Subaru Crosstrek — 4 engines across 2016–2026. 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 $2,022. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru Crosstrek get?
31.2 mpg combined on average — 29.8 in the city and 33.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2026.
How much does a Subaru Crosstrek cost in fuel per year?
About $1,231 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,155 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Crosstrek engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 36 mpg, against 29 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $257 a year.
Is the Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek is $2,022 against the $1,231 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 36 and 29 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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