Subaru Forester MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Subaru Forester MPG for every engine and drivetrain from 1998 to 2026, plus a fuel cost calculator.
Forester MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 79 configurations of the Forester across gas and hybrid versions. Pick a year to compare engines and drivetrains.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester Hybrid AWDHybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | View |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | AWD | 26 | 33 | 29 | View |
| Forester Sport/Touring AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 | View |
| Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | AWD | 24 | 28 | 26 | View |
Forester MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every Forester configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When Forester Fuel Economy Changed
The Forester's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 2014: The top combined rating rises to 27 MPG, up from 23 MPG the year before.
- 2025: The first hybrid Forester shows up in the EPA data. Its 35 MPG combined rating tops the previous year's best of 29 MPG.
How the Forester Compares
The EPA rated 69 small SUVs for 2026. The best Forester version, at 35 MPG combined, ranks 14th of 69. Combined ratings in the class run from 20 to 53 MPG, with a median of 27. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kia Niro | 53 MPG |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 42 MPG |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG |
| 5 | Lexus NX | 40 MPG |
| 14 | Subaru Forester | 35 MPG |
What Does a Forester Cost to Fuel?
Pick a Forester, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
Forester MPG Questions
Which Forester year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2025 and 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD holds the top EPA rating at 35 MPG combined (35 city, 34 highway).
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid Forester?
The 2019 to 2026 Forester AWD with the 2.5L 4-cylinder and all-wheel drive is rated at 29 MPG combined (26 city, 33 highway).
Is there still a gas-only Forester?
Yes. The 2026 Forester lineup includes 3 gas-only versions, rated 26 to 29 MPG combined.
Why doesn't my Forester match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, passengers and cargo, roof racks, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one vehicle against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
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Where These Numbers Come From
This page was built by Cedrick Reese from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, which holds 79 ratings for the Subaru Forester from 1998 to 2026. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. When the EPA posts an updated file with new model years or corrected ratings, this page is rebuilt from it. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov