The Subaru WRX does 22.7 mpg combined (19.9 city, 26.7 highway), which works out to about $1,692 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 23.1 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 22 — a difference of $83 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru WRX engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Subaru WRX ranges from 23.1 down to 22 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $83 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 | 20.6 / 27.1 | 2015–2021 | $1,662 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 2022–2026 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
The Subaru WRX burns a gallon every 22.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 529 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.141 |
| Fuel per year | $1,692 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,460 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$198 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,400 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru WRX gives up 6.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.7 out there against 19.9 in town, a 34% drop worth $492 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 | 19.9 mpg | $1,930 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.7 mpg | $1,438 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.8 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the WRX changed over the years
The WRX peaked in 2015 at 24 mpg (21 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 22 — 2 mpg apart, or $145 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 22. 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 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2024 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2023 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2020 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2019 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2018 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Subaru WRX — 2 engines across 2015–2026. 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 $3,400. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru WRX get?
22.7 mpg combined on average — 19.9 in the city and 26.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2026.
How much does a Subaru WRX cost in fuel per year?
About $1,692 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,460 over five years, or 0.141 dollars a mile.
Which WRX engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 23.1 mpg, against 22 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $83 a year.
Is the WRX good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world WRX 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 WRX is $3,400 against the $1,692 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 22 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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