Finding the right subaru gas mileage by model helps you decide which of these rugged rigs actually fits your weekly budget. Let's be honest—while we all love the idea of trekking up a mountain or handling a snowstorm with ease, most of us spend the majority of our time sitting in traffic or running errands around town. Subaru has a bit of a unique reputation because almost everything they make comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Usually, AWD is a bit of a gas-guzzler, but Subaru has spent years trying to bridge that gap.
If you're looking at the current lineup, you'll notice the numbers vary quite a bit depending on whether you're looking for a compact commuter or a massive three-row family hauler. Here is the lowdown on how these cars actually perform at the pump.
The Commuters: Impreza and Legacy
If you don't need a massive SUV and just want something reliable for the daily grind, the Impreza and the Legacy are your best bets for efficiency. Since they sit lower to the ground, they have less wind resistance, which naturally helps them outshine their taller siblings.
The Impreza has recently transitioned to a hatchback-only format, which is great for utility but doesn't hurt the mileage too much. You can generally expect about 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. If you opt for the RS trim—which has a bigger 2.5-liter engine—you'll lose maybe a mile per gallon, but the extra pep is usually worth it for most drivers.
The Legacy is the sedan version of the bunch, and it's surprisingly efficient for a car of its size. It matches the Impreza's standard numbers closely, often hitting 35 mpg on the highway. It's a smooth, quiet ride, and for folks who do a lot of interstate driving, it's probably the most "economical" feeling car in the lineup. However, if you grab a Legacy with the turbocharged engine (the XT trims), don't be surprised when those numbers dip into the mid-20s.
The Fan Favorites: Crosstrek and Forester
The Crosstrek is arguably the most popular model Subaru sells right now, and for good reason. It's basically a lifted Impreza, which means it keeps a lot of that fuel efficiency while giving you the ground clearance to clear a curb or a deep snowbank.
With the 2.0-liter engine, the Crosstrek gets around 27 city / 34 highway. If you step up to the 2.5-liter engine—which I highly recommend because the base engine feels a bit sluggish—you surprisingly don't lose much efficiency. It holds steady at about 30 mpg combined.
The Forester is the classic choice for families or dog owners. It's boxy, it's tall, and it's got windows the size of a greenhouse. Despite looking like a brick, the Forester manages about 26 city / 33 highway. It's one of the most consistent performers in the Subaru gas mileage by model rankings because it only comes with one engine option (a non-turbo 2.5L), so you know exactly what you're getting across almost every trim.
The Big Hitters: Outback and Ascent
The Outback is the icon of the brand. It's not quite a wagon, not quite an SUV, but it's definitely a thirsty beast if you aren't careful. The standard 2.5-liter engine does well, pulling in 26 city and 32 highway. But here's the catch: the Outback is heavy. If you load it up with gear or a roof rack, you'll see those numbers drop.
If you go for the Outback XT (the turbo version), your highway mileage drops to about 29 mpg. It's the price you pay for being able to actually pass people on an uphill grade without feeling like the engine is screaming at you.
Then we have the Ascent. This is Subaru's largest vehicle, featuring three rows and enough cupholders to host a small party. Because it's heavy and uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine to move all that weight, it's the least fuel-efficient of the "normal" lineup. You're looking at about 20 city / 26 highway. If you have a lead foot, you might even see the teens while driving around town. It's a great family car, but you'll definitely be visiting the gas station more often than a Crosstrek owner.
The "Wilderness" Tax
Over the last few years, Subaru introduced the Wilderness trims for the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback. These are awesome if you actually go off-roading—they have more ground clearance, beefier tires, and different gear ratios.
But here is the reality: those modifications are terrible for your gas mileage. The all-terrain tires have more rolling resistance, and the shorter gearing means the engine has to spin faster at highway speeds. For example, an Outback Wilderness drops down to about 21 city / 26 highway. If you just want the "look" of a Wilderness but spend 99% of your time on the pavement, you might want to stick to a Limited or Touring trim to save some cash on fuel.
Performance vs. Efficiency: WRX and BRZ
Not every Subaru buyer is looking for a camping rig. Some just want to go fast. The WRX is a blast to drive, but it's not a car you buy if you're worried about the environment. Because of its performance-tuned turbo engine and full-time AWD, it gets around 19 city / 26 highway. And keep in mind, it usually wants premium fuel, so those miles are going to cost you more than the numbers suggest.
The BRZ is a bit of an outlier because it's the only Subaru that isn't all-wheel drive. It's a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Even though it's small, it's tuned for high-revving fun, so it gets about 20 city / 27 highway with a manual transmission. It's efficient for a sports car, but it won't be winning any "green car" awards anytime soon.
The Electric Alternative: Solterra
We can't talk about Subaru gas mileage by model without mentioning the one that uses no gas at all. The Solterra is Subaru's first all-electric SUV. Instead of MPG, we look at MPGe. It's rated at about 94 MPGe, which is a massive jump over anything else the brand offers.
If you have a short commute and can charge at home, the Solterra basically makes the gas mileage conversation irrelevant. However, if you're a traditionalist who likes the rumble of a boxer engine, you're stuck with the standard numbers we discussed above.
Why Do These Numbers Vary So Much?
You might wonder why a Forester and an Outback, which use similar engines, have different ratings. It usually comes down to weight and aerodynamics. The Outback is longer and heavier, while the Forester is taller.
Subaru also uses a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in almost all their cars. While some car enthusiasts don't love the "feel" of a CVT, there's no denying they are great for fuel economy. They keep the engine in its most efficient power band, which is why a full-time AWD Subaru can actually compete with front-wheel-drive SUVs from other brands.
Tips for Getting Better Mileage
No matter which model you pick, you can usually squeeze an extra mile or two out of a gallon if you're smart about it.
- Check your tires: Subaru's AWD system is sensitive to tire pressure. Keep them at the recommended PSI to reduce drag.
- Ease off the rack: Those rooftop cargo boxes look cool, but they act like a sail in the wind. If you aren't using it, take it off. Your highway mileage will thank you.
- Watch the "EyeSight" display: Most modern Subarus show you a real-time MPG bar on the dash. It's actually a fun game to try and keep that bar in the green.
At the end of the day, the subaru gas mileage by model lineup is pretty competitive. You aren't going to get hybrid-level numbers (at least until the rumored Forester Hybrid drops), but for a fleet of vehicles that can handle a dirt trail or a blizzard with zero modifications, they hold their own quite well. Whether you're leaning toward the zippy Crosstrek or the spacious Ascent, just make sure you're factoring in that "Wilderness tax" or the "Turbo boost" if you're trying to keep your monthly costs down.