The Subaru Outback does 23.8 mpg combined (21.4 city, 28.0 highway), which works out to about $1,613 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 does 26 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $443 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Subaru Outback engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 | 23.5 / 30 | 2005–2026 | $1,477 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 19 / 25.6 | 2010–2019 | $1,829 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 23.6 | 2005–2009 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,613 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,065 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$101 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,762 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 21.4 mpg | $1,794 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.0 mpg | $1,371 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.6 mpg (31%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Outback changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2023 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2019 | 22.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 22.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2016 | 22.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2015 | 22.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2014 | 21 / 27 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 27 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2012 | 19.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2011 | 19.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2006 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru Outback get?
23.8 mpg combined on average — 21.4 in the city and 28.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2026.
How much does a Subaru Outback 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 Outback engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 26 mpg, against 20 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $443 a year.
Is the Outback good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.