How far can a Subaru Forester go on a full tank?
In general, a Subaru Forester will cover around 450–550 miles on a full tank, depending on model year, drivetrain, and driving style.
This article explains how tank size and fuel economy translate into range, how highway versus city driving affects the figure, and what typical Forester customers can expect from recent models across trims and years.
Key factors that determine range
Before the following list, note that the range is the product of the fuel tank capacity and the vehicle’s miles-per-gallon (mpg). The numbers below reflect the Forester in its current gasoline-only lineup in the United States (2.5-liter engine with CVT, AWD).
- Fuel tank capacity: 16.6 gallons (63 liters) in most current Forester models.
- EPA fuel economy (typical): about 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined for the 2.5L engine with CVT and AWD.
- Estimated ranges using those figures: roughly 430 miles in city-like driving (at 26 mpg), about 550 miles on long highway trips (at 33 mpg), and about 480 miles based on combined rating (at 29 mpg).
These figures provide a baseline. Real-world range will vary with conditions such as weather, cargo load, tire choice, driving style, and terrain.
Model-year and drivetrain variations
To understand how range can differ by year and configuration, note these points about the current gasoline Forester lineup and its history.
- Tank size has been 16.6 gallons across recent U.S. models, with minor variations in older generations.
- The current lineup uses a 2.5-liter engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD); turbocharged options (2.0L turbo) were available in older models but are not offered in today’s mainstream Forester line in the U.S.
- On some older Foresters, the fuel tank capacity can appear closer to 15.9–16.9 gallons depending on year and market; contemporary U.S.-market models are typically 16.6 gallons.
- EPA mpg and thus range can vary slightly by trim level, wheel size, and driving mode, but the general expectation for a current Forester remains in the 26/33/29 mpg ballpark.
Knowing these variations helps you set a realistic expectation for your specific model year and configuration.
How to estimate your own range
Use these steps to calculate an approximate distance you can travel on a full tank for your vehicle and typical driving conditions.
- Confirm your exact fuel tank capacity for your model year (most recent Foresters list 16.6 gallons).
- Check your EPA-rated mpg for your trim and drivetrain (combined mpg gives a general baseline; highway and city mpg help with trip planning).
- Calculate range using the formula: tank capacity × mpg. For example, 16.6 gallons × 29 mpg ≈ 481 miles (combined), 16.6 × 33 ≈ 548 miles (highway), 16.6 × 26 ≈ 432 miles (city).
- Adjust for real-world conditions such as cold weather, heavy loads, roof racks, aggressive driving, or steep terrain, which can lower mpg.
Following these steps will give you a practical estimate tailored to your Forester and typical routes.
Real-world tips to maximize range
Beyond the numbers, certain practices help you approach the theoretical range in daily driving.
- Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended pressure; underinflation reduces efficiency.
- Avoid excessive idling and plan longer, steady highway segments when possible.
- Maintain a steady speed on highways (cruise control can help) to minimize throttle fluctuations.
- Lighten the load and remove roof racks when not in use, as wind resistance and weight affect mpg.
- Consider weather and terrain; cold air and hills can noticeably reduce fuel economy.
By adopting these practices, you can get closer to the EPA-based estimates and stretch your miles per tank on longer trips.
Summary
For the current gasoline-only Subaru Forester in the United States, expect a full tank to take you roughly 430–550 miles, depending on whether you’re mostly in city conditions or cruising on the highway. The baseline comes from a 16.6-gallon tank and roughly 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined, with real-world results influenced by weather, cargo, driving style, and terrain. Use the outlined calculations as a practical planning tool, and apply the real-world tips to maximize your range on the road.
