How many miles per gallon does a Subaru Outback Turbo get?

In general, Subaru’s Outback Turbo models (the 2.4-liter turbocharged version) typically land in the mid-20s for combined fuel economy, with roughly 20 mpg in city driving and about 27–30 mpg on the highway depending on model year and testing conditions.

Fuel economy in numbers

The following figures reflect official EPA estimates for recent Outback Turbo configurations and are useful benchmarks for compare-and-contrast with everyday driving. Actual mileage will vary based on weather, terrain, and vehicle setup.

Official EPA estimates for recent turbo Outbacks

Before listing numbers, note that these are typical EPA ranges for the 2.4L Turbo, all-wheel drive with a CVT transmission, which is the standard setup for the Outback Turbo.

• EPA (2.4L turbo, AWD, CVT): City about 20 mpg; Highway about 27–30 mpg; Combined about 23 mpg

These figures serve as a general guide. Real-world mileage often differs based on driving style and conditions.

What affects mpg in real-world driving

Beyond the EPA test cycles, several everyday factors shape how many miles you’ll get per gallon in an Outback Turbo. Understanding these can help you set reasonable expectations and find ways to improve efficiency.

Key variables you’ll notice in daily use

• Terrain and elevation: Hills and mountain driving reduce mpg compared with flat highway cruising.


• Vehicle load: Extra weight from cargo or roof racks lowers fuel economy.


• Tire size and condition: Overly large or worn tires can raise rolling resistance.


• Air conditioning and climate control: Frequent use can drop mpg, especially in hot weather.


• Driving style: Aggressive acceleration and frequent braking hurt efficiency; steady cruising helps.


• Maintenance and fuel quality: Regular maintenance and using the recommended fuel can influence results.

In practice, a realistic mix of city and highway driving will typically pull the Outback Turbo into the mid-20s combined, with higher highway efficiency when cruising at steady speeds.

How the turbo compares to the non-turbo Outback

Choosing between the turbocharged 2.4L and the non-turbo 2.5L engines changes the mpg picture. The turbo adds power and torque but usually trims city mpg slightly while preserving strong highway efficiency.

Non-turbo mpg benchmarks

For comparison, the non-turbo 2.5L engine (AWD with CVT) generally posts EPA ratings around:

• EPA: City roughly 26 mpg; Highway roughly 32 mpg; Combined around 29–29 mpg

In everyday terms, the turbo Outback often yields lower city mpg than the 2.5L model but can deliver competitive highway efficiency when maintained and driven conservatively on long trips.

Tips to maximize mpg

Owners looking to squeeze more miles out of their Subaru Outback Turbo can adopt several practical strategies to improve efficiency without compromising safety or performance.

Practical fuel-saving strategies

• Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and ensure alignment is dialed in.


• Remove roof racks or cargo carriers when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag.


• Plan trips to minimize stops and starts; use cruise control on long highway segments with consistent speed.


• Drive at moderate speeds; fuel efficiency typically declines as speed increases beyond 60–70 mph.


• Maintain regular maintenance: air filters, spark plugs, and appropriate oil viscosity can influence efficiency.


• Use air conditioning judiciously; at highway speeds, windows up and A/C on may be more efficient than driving with windows down at high speeds.

Real-world gains vary, but consistent adherence to efficient driving habits can noticeably improve mpg over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Bottom line

The Subaru Outback Turbo delivers solid highway efficiency with a practical mid-20s combined mpg when equipped with the 2.4L turbo and AWD-CVT setup. Real-world results depend heavily on driving conditions, payload, and maintenance. If maximum urban mpg is a priority, the non-turbo 2.5L offers higher city efficiency, while the turbo provides stronger overall performance with competitive highway mileage.

Summary: For most buyers, expect about 23–26 mpg combined from a current Outback Turbo in typical mixed driving, with city numbers around 20 mpg and highway numbers near 27–30 mpg. Real-world results vary by year, trim, and driving habits.

Is the Subaru 2.5 turbo a good engine?

New Subaru 2.5 engines are reliable, although people have mixed feelings and results with CVT transmissions. The problem with older EJ25 engines is that fluids would sit and rest against the shear line where the manifold meets the block - which is normal for boxer engines.

Is the Subaru 2.4 L turbo a good engine?

Yes, the Subaru 2.4L turbo engine is generally considered a good engine, offering significantly more power than the naturally aspirated versions while being built to be reliable and overbuilt. It provides better acceleration, towing capacity, and performance at high altitudes, but it is also more complex than a non-turbo engine and has lower fuel economy. Proper maintenance, such as more frequent oil changes, can help ensure long-term reliability.
 
Advantages of the 2.4L turbo engine

• More power and torque: It provides a significant increase in torque, making it feel much more responsive than the 2.5L non-turbo engine. This is especially beneficial for passing and merging. 
• Stronger performance: The engine is more capable in situations that require more power, like climbing hills or towing. 
• Built for reliability: It's considered an overbuilt engine, designed to be more reliable than older Subaru turbo engines, addressing some of the issues seen in previous generations. 
• Can use regular fuel: The engine is designed to run on 87 octane regular gasoline. 

Potential considerations for the 2.4L turbo engine

• Fuel economy: The turbo engine generally gets slightly lower fuel economy compared to the 2.5L non-turbo. 
• Complexity: Turbocharged engines are more complex than naturally aspirated ones, which can mean more potential maintenance points, such as oil supply bolts and gasket leaks. 
• Maintenance: To maximize longevity, frequent oil changes (every 3,750 to 5,000 miles) are recommended to prevent potential oil-related issues. 

Verdict
The Subaru 2.4L turbo is a good engine if you prioritize power and performance. It's a reliable and capable engine, especially when you perform diligent maintenance. If your priority is the lowest possible maintenance complexity and fuel cost, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine might be a better fit.

What is the fuel economy of the Subaru Outback turbo?

The Subaru Outback turbo (2.4L turbocharged engine) has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of approximately 22 MPG city / 29 MPG highway / 25 MPG combined for most models, with the Wilderness trim getting an estimated 21 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined. This is lower than the standard 2.5L engine, which is estimated at 26 MPG city / 32 MPG highway / 28 MPG combined. 
Turbo (2.4L) Outback MPG by trim 

• Most XT models: (Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, Touring XT):
  • 22 MPG city / 29 MPG highway / 25 MPG combined
• Wilderness trim:
  • 21 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined 

Standard (2.5L) Outback MPG 

• Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring trims:
  • 26 MPG city / 32 MPG highway / 28 MPG combined 

How many miles per gallon does a Subaru Outback 2.5 turbo get?

Models with the standard 2.5-liter engine score an EPA-estimated 26/32/28 MPG (City/Highway/Combined). Most Outback trims with the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder let you enjoy an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).