How many miles per gallon does a 2005 Subaru Baja Sport get?
The 2005 Subaru Baja Sport typically delivers about 22 miles per gallon combined, with roughly 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The exact figure depends on transmission and driving conditions.
Overview of fuel economy for the Baja Sport
In 2005, the Baja Sport used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive. This setup provides solid performance for a compact pickup, but it nibbles a bit more fuel than lighter, two-wheel-drive cars. Mileage can vary based on drivetrain configuration, load, terrain, and driving style.
Powertrain details
Two common configurations were available for the Baja Sport: a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission, both with AWD. The manual tends to offer slightly stronger highway efficiency in some tests, while the automatic can show slightly lower highway figures due to gearing and torque management.
EPA fuel economy by transmission
Below are representative EPA estimates for the 2005 Baja Sport. These values reflect typical performance and can vary with model year, equipment, and testing cycles.
- Manual transmission (5-speed): about 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway; combined around 22 mpg.
- Automatic transmission (4-speed): about 20 mpg city / 25 mpg highway; combined around 21–22 mpg.
Across both configurations, the Baja Sport generally lands in the low-to-mid 20s for combined mileage, with highway driving offering the best efficiency and city driving the most variation due to stop-and-go conditions.
Real-world performance and optimization tips
Owners often report practical mileage in the low 20s in mixed driving, with highway trips yielding higher numbers when conditions are favorable. To optimize fuel economy, keep tires properly inflated, remove unnecessary weight, maintain regular service (air filter, spark plugs, oil changes), use cruise control on highways when appropriate, and drive smoothly with gradual acceleration and braking.
Summary
The 2005 Subaru Baja Sport typically achieves around 22 mpg combined (roughly 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway), with modest differences between the manual and automatic transmissions. Real-world mileage will vary based on driving habits, load, and terrain, but the Baja’s AWD setup generally places it in the low- to mid-20s in mixed conditions.
