Does Subaru Forester get good gas mileage?

Yes, the Subaru Forester is known for its good gas mileage compared to other compact SUVs. The latest Subaru Forester models can achieve up to 26 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, making it a fuel-efficient choice in its class.

Fuel Efficiency of the Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine that delivers a good balance of power and efficiency. The standard all-wheel-drive system, which is included on all Forester models, contributes to the vehicle's fuel economy by optimizing power delivery and reducing energy loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2023 Subaru Forester with the standard 2.5-liter engine and all-wheel drive has an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined.

Factors Affecting the Forester's Gas Mileage

Several factors can impact the real-world fuel efficiency of the Subaru Forester, including:

• Driving conditions: Aggressive acceleration, high speeds, and frequent stops and starts can reduce fuel economy.


• Terrain and weather: Driving in hilly or mountainous areas, as well as extreme temperatures, can affect the Forester's gas mileage.


• Vehicle load: Carrying heavy cargo or towing a trailer can decrease the Forester's fuel efficiency.


• Maintenance: Proper tire inflation, regular oil changes, and other maintenance tasks can help optimize the Forester's gas mileage.

By driving conservatively, maintaining the vehicle, and considering the impact of terrain and weather, Subaru Forester owners can typically achieve fuel economy that is close to the EPA's estimates.

Comparing the Forester to Competitors

When compared to other compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester's fuel efficiency is generally on par or better than its competitors. For example, the 2023 Honda CR-V has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the 2023 Toyota RAV4 achieves 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.p>

The Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system, which is not always included on base models of other compact SUVs, helps it maintain a competitive edge in terms of fuel efficiency.

What are the downsides of a Subaru Forester?

Common Subaru Forester cons include excessive road noise, poor fuel efficiency, and potential issues with the CVT transmission, especially on older models. Other drawbacks can include slow acceleration and a firm ride. Some models have also faced specific problems like easily broken windshields or excessive oil consumption. 
This video discusses potential issues and years to avoid with Subaru Forester: 54sCar ExpertlyYouTube · Apr 14, 2025
Common drawbacks

• Road noise: The cabin is not well-insulated, leading to a lot of road noise, especially on rough roads. 
• CVT transmission: While generally reliable, the CVT can be jumpy, especially when slowing down, and has been a source of expensive failures in older models (2014-2015). 
• Acceleration: Acceleration can be slow, which may not be ideal for those who frequently drive on highways or want a more spirited feel. 
• Ride quality: Some owners find the ride to be firm or uncomfortable. 
• Fuel efficiency: MPG can be a con on certain models. 
• Windshield durability: Some owners report that the windshields are prone to breaking easily. 

Potential issues and maintenance

• Oil consumption: Some recent models have experienced excessive oil consumption. 
• Wheel bearings: Some models have had issues with wheel bearings failing, although the cost to replace them is not typically very high. 
• Head gaskets: A common problem on older EJ series engines (1997-2012) was head gasket failure, but this has been largely corrected on newer models. 

You can watch this video to learn about common failures in Subaru vehicles, including head gasket issues: 1mMrSubaru1387YouTube · Aug 11, 2024

Which Subaru has the best gas mileage?

The 2025 Subaru Solterra EV has the best fuel efficiency, measured in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), while the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid leads among traditional hybrid models with a combined 35 MPG. For conventional gas-powered vehicles, the 2025 Subaru Legacy has the highest highway MPG at 35, and the 2025 Subaru Impreza offers strong combined city/highway mileage. 
Electric Vehicle (EV)

• Subaru Solterra: With 104 combined MPGe (114 city/94 highway), this is the most fuel-efficient option. 

Hybrid

• 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid: This model achieves an estimated 35 MPG combined (35 city/34 highway). 

Conventional Gas

• 2025 Subaru Legacy: The base 2.5L engine model gets an estimated 35 MPG on the highway. 
• 2025 Subaru Impreza: This model is a strong contender, with an estimated 36 MPG highway on some trims. 
• 2025 Subaru Crosstrek: The Crosstrek can achieve over 30 MPG on the highway. 

Factors that affect gas mileage

• Engine choice: Turbocharged engines typically get worse gas mileage than their base-engine counterparts.
• Transmission: Models with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are generally more fuel-efficient than those with manual transmissions.
• Tires and accessories: "Wilderness" models and other upgrades like all-terrain tires or lift kits can negatively impact fuel economy due to increased rolling resistance and compromised aerodynamics. 

Are Subaru Foresters good on gas?

MPG Ratings by Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Drivers love that most 2025 Subaru Forester SUVs return up to an EPA-estimated 26/33/29 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).

Which is more reliable, the Toyota RAV4 or the Subaru Forester?

The Toyota RAV4 generally has a higher reliability rating in most analyses, with lower annual repair costs and lower frequency of repairs compared to the Subaru Forester. However, the Subaru Forester is still considered very reliable, and some sources give it slightly higher marks in specific testing scenarios. 
Toyota RAV4

• Reliability score: Often ranks higher with ratings like 4.0 out of 5.0 or 80 out of 100. 
• Repair costs: Has a lower average annual repair cost of $429. 
• Repair frequency: The severity and frequency of repairs are lower than average. 
• Hybrid reliability: The hybrid powertrain is particularly noted for its reliability due to fewer mechanical components. 

Subaru Forester

• Reliability score: Has strong reliability scores, such as 3.5 out of 5.0 or 83 out of 100. 
• Repair costs: Has a higher average annual repair cost of $632. 
• Repair frequency: Repair frequency and severity are about average when compared to other vehicles. 
• Note: Some analyses have noted potential long-term issues with its CVT and boxer engine, though newer models are often considered better. 

Which to choose?

• For the best long-term reliability and lower ownership costs: The RAV4 is often the better choice due to its stronger track record for lower repair frequency and cost, particularly with its hybrid powertrain. 
• For a strong, reliable vehicle in a competitive class: The Forester is still a very good and reliable option, and some sources rate its overall reliability slightly higher. It is a dependable vehicle, but may have higher ownership costs over the long term.