The Subaru Justy does 31 mpg combined (29.1 city, 33.3 highway), which works out to about $1,239 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 3-cyl cars it sits below the average of 32.3 mpg.
Every Subaru Justy engine, compared
The Subaru Justy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L 3-cyl | 29.1 / 33.3 | 1987–1994 | $1,239 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru Justy burns a gallon every 31 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 387 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 | $1,239 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,195 |
| Against other 3-cyl cars | +$50 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,031 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru Justy gives up 4.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.3 out there against 29.1 in town, a 14% drop worth $167 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 | 29.1 mpg | $1,320 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.3 mpg | $1,153 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.2 mpg (14%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Justy changed over the years
The Justy peaked in 1987 at 34 mpg (32 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1994 at 30 — 4 mpg apart, or $151 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1994 car does 30. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 28 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1993 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1992 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1991 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1990 | 29 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1989 | 29 / 33 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1988 | 31 / 35 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1987 | 32 / 37 | 1 | $1,129 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Subaru Justy — 1 engine across 1987–1994. 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 $2,031. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru Justy get?
31 mpg combined on average — 29.1 in the city and 33.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1987–1994.
How much does a Subaru Justy cost in fuel per year?
About $1,239 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,195 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Justy engine is the most economical?
The 1.2L 3-cyl at 31 mpg.
Is the Justy good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 3-cyl cars it sits below the average of 32.3 mpg, computed across 151 ratings.
Are these real-world Justy 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 Justy is $2,031 against the $1,239 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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