Against 422 other 4-cyl cars rated 2023–2025, the Legacy beats their 26.5 mpg average by 3.5 mpg, about $169 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1990, the 2.5L 4-cyl (2000–2025), does 25.9 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (2001–2009), 19.6: $476 a year apart.
Every Subaru Legacy engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 23 / 30.7 | 2000–2025 | $1,483 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.2 / 27.9 | 1990–1999 | $1,655 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 19 / 26.2 | 2010–2019 | $1,786 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17.2 / 23.8 | 2001–2009 | $1,959 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Corolla gets 42.5 mpg, the Nissan Versa 35 mpg and the Audi A4 29.5 mpg, next to 30 mpg for the 2025 Legacy.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2025) | $0.107 |
| Fuel per year | $1,280 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,400 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2023–2025 | −$169 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,746 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2025 Subaru Legacy gives up 8 mpg in town: 35 on the highway against 27 in the city, $325 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2025) | 27 mpg | $1,422 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35 mpg | $1,097 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Legacy changed over the years
The Legacy peaked in 2025 at 30 mpg (27 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2004 at 20 — 10 mpg apart, or $640 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2020: 26 to 30 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2023 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2022 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2020 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2019 | 22.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2018 | 22.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 23 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2015 | 23 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2014 | 21 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 28 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2012 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2011 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2010 | 20.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 17.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2000 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1999 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1997 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 51 EPA ratings of the Subaru Legacy — 4 engines across 1990–2025. 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 $2,746. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2025 Subaru Legacy get?
30 mpg combined, 27 city and 35 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1990 the Legacy has averaged 23.9 mpg.
Is the 2025 Legacy more efficient than the 2024?
About the same: 30 against 30 mpg combined.
Which Legacy year has the best gas mileage?
The 2025, at 30 mpg combined (27 city, 35 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Legacy get better gas mileage than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 30 mpg for the 2025 Legacy against 42.5 for the 2026 Toyota Corolla, about $376 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.