The Subaru XT6 does 27.5 mpg combined (25.8 city, 30.5 highway), which works out to about $1,396 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.2L 3-cyl does 30 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 25 — a difference of $256 a year. Against other 3-cyl cars it sits below the average of 34.1 mpg.
Every Subaru XT6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L 3-cyl | 28.5 / 32 | 1990–1991 | $1,280 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 23 / 29 | 1988–1989 | $1,536 |
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 | $0.116 |
| Fuel per year | $1,396 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,980 |
| Against other 3-cyl cars | +$270 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,300 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 | 25.8 mpg | $1,488 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.5 mpg | $1,259 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.7 mpg (18%) | Typical for its type |
How the XT6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1990 | 29 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1989 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1988 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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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 XT6 get?
27.5 mpg combined on average — 25.8 in the city and 30.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1988–1991.
How much does a Subaru XT6 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,396 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,980 over five years, or 0.116 dollars a mile.
Which XT6 engine is the most economical?
The 1.2L 3-cyl at 30 mpg, against 25 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $256 a year.
Is the XT6 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 3-cyl cars it sits below the average of 34.1 mpg, computed across 245 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.