Is a Subaru Forester a fuel-efficient vehicle?

Yes. The Subaru Forester is a fuel-efficient option within the compact SUV segment, especially with the standard 2.5-liter engine paired with a CVT and all-wheel drive.

How its fuel efficiency stacks up

To understand fuel efficiency, it helps to know typical EPA estimates and how real-world driving compares. The following points summarize how the Forester performs in this area.

• EPA estimates for a typical US-spec Forester with a 2.5L engine and CVT (all-wheel drive): about 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined.


• Real-world driving often yields results in the high-20s in city conditions and low-to-mid-30s on highways, depending on driving style, tires, and load.


• Compared with popular competitors in the compact-SUV class, the Forester generally holds its own, delivering competitive efficiency while offering standard AWD and generous interior space.

Overall, the Forester offers competitive fuel economy for an all-wheel-drive compact SUV, with numbers that typically align with EPA estimates under normal conditions.

What affects the Forester's fuel economy

Several factors influence how efficiently a Forester uses fuel. The following list explains where mileage can swing up or down across trips and seasons.

• Engine and transmission: A 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT provides smooth, efficient operation; aggressive acceleration can lower mpg.


• All-wheel drive: Standard AWD adds weight and drivetrain losses, which can reduce efficiency slightly versus two-wheel-drive configurations in some situations.


• Tires and wheels: Low-rolling-resistance tires and properly inflated tires help maximize fuel economy; larger or more aggressive tires can reduce it.


• Weight and aerodynamics: Extra cargo, roof racks, or heavy roof crossbars increase drag and consumption, particularly at highway speeds.


• Maintenance and driving style: Regular maintenance, clean air filters, and steady driving practices (gentle acceleration, steady speeds) improve real-world mpg.

These factors help explain why real-world fuel economy can vary from the EPA estimates depending on how you drive and configure the vehicle.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Adopting certain habits and choosing the right equipment can help you get the best possible fuel economy from a Forester.

• Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure and rotate them as recommended by Subaru.


• Use cruise control on highways and aim for smooth, steady acceleration in city driving.


• Limit roof-mounted weight and remove roof racks when not in use to reduce drag.


• Plan efficient routes and maintain steady speeds, especially on long highway trips.


• Maintain the vehicle with regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and proper following of service intervals.

Following these practices can help sustain or improve the Forester’s fuel economy over time.

Forester in the market and future options

In the United States, the Forester’s efficiency is framed by its standard all-wheel drive and the traditional 2.5-liter engine. Subaru has explored electrification in some markets and models, but the Forester’s US lineup has primarily used a conventional gasoline powertrain. Buyers seeking plug-in or more advanced hybridization should verify current model-year offerings and regional availability, as options evolve over time.

Summary

The Subaru Forester stands out in its class for offering solid fuel economy while delivering the practicality of standard all-wheel drive, roomy interior, and solid reliability. With a 2.5-liter engine and CVT, EPA estimates commonly land in the high-20s to around 30 mpg combined, with real-world results typically aligning closely under normal driving conditions. For shoppers prioritizing efficiency without sacrificing AWD capability and space, the Forester remains a competitive choice, though those seeking a hybrid or plug-in variant may want to compare current model-year options and regional availability.

Is the Subaru Forester good on gas?

Yes, the Subaru Forester is generally considered fuel-efficient, especially for an SUV with standard all-wheel drive. Recent models achieve an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, though specific figures can vary slightly by trim. 

• Standard All-Wheel Drive: The Forester gets its good mileage while still providing all-wheel drive as standard, which is often a feature that lowers fuel economy in other vehicles. 
• Trim-Level Variation: Most trim levels offer the same 26 city/33 highway mpg, with slightly lower ratings for trims like the Sport, Touring, and Wilderness. 
• Competitive Fuel Economy: The Forester's fuel efficiency is competitive within the compact SUV segment. 
• Factors Affecting MPG: Real-world mileage can be affected by driving habits, terrain, and vehicle maintenance. 

Which Subaru is most fuel-efficient?

The most fuel-efficient Subaru models are the Legacy and Impreza, with the Forester Hybrid leading overall if you include hybrid options. The Legacy sedan gets an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city/35 MPG highway, while the Impreza hatchback achieves 27 MPG city/34 MPG highway. For a hybrid option, the Crosstrek Hybrid offers a much higher fuel efficiency, rated up to 90 MPGe.
 

Model	City MPG	Highway MPG
2025 Legacy (2.5L engine)	27	35
2025 Impreza (2.0L engine)	27	34
2025 Forester Hybrid	35	34
Crosstrek Hybrid	90 MPGe (combined)	90 MPGe (combined)

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Gas-only models

• Subaru Legacy: With the base 2.5-liter engine, the Legacy sedan offers an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city and 35 MPG highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient gas-only options. 
• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza hatchback is a strong contender with an estimated 27 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. 
• Subaru Forester: This compact SUV gets an estimated 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway with its base engine, which is very efficient for its class. 

Hybrid model

• Crosstrek Hybrid: This is Subaru's most fuel-efficient vehicle, combining gas and electric power for an estimated 90 MPGe. This is a significant advantage for city driving and offers substantial fuel savings. 

What affects your mileage

• Engine and transmission: Turbocharged engines and manual transmissions generally have lower MPG ratings compared to their base counterparts. 
• Driving habits: Your driving habits, like speed and acceleration, will impact the actual gas mileage you get. 
• Tires: Tires and all-terrain features can negatively affect fuel economy due to increased rolling resistance and compromised aerodynamics. 

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

The Toyota RAV4 generally has a reputation for higher long-term reliability than the Subaru Forester, with lower average annual repair costs and less frequent, severe repairs. However, the Subaru Forester has a strong reputation and a higher rating from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, particularly with the newer models. Both are considered good choices, and recent model years of the Forester have been redesigned to be more reliable. 
You can watch this video to learn about the reliability of RAV4 and Forester: 1mAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Dec 14, 2024
Toyota RAV4

• Higher reliability rating: Often ranks higher in reliability surveys and has lower average annual repair costs. 
• Longer-term ownership: Has a strong reputation for minimizing long-term issues and frequent maintenance, partly due to its engine technology and hybrid options. 
• Lower repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $429, which is significantly lower than the Forester's $632. 

Subaru Forester

• Strong safety and ratings: Earned a higher overall rating from Consumer Reports and a highest-tier safety rating from the IIHS. 
• Improving reliability: Recent redesigns have made reliability improvements, such as reintroducing mechanical thermostats and eliminating less reliable systems. 
• Average repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $632 and average frequency and severity of repairs compared to other vehicles. 

Which one is right for you?

• Choose the RAV4 if: Your priority is maximum long-term reliability and the lowest ownership costs, especially over many years of ownership. 
• Choose the Forester if: You want a vehicle with a strong safety record, good visibility, and a capable all-wheel-drive system. You should consider the model year, as reliability has been improving with recent redesigns. 

This video compares the performance and features of RAV4 and Forester: 52sAutoMobiYouTube · Oct 30, 2025

What are the negatives of a Subaru Forester?

Common Subaru Forester cons include slow acceleration, a less refined engine, and potential issues with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Other drawbacks are a bouncy ride over large bumps, lower-than-expected cargo capacity compared to some rivals, and a less innovative infotainment system. Older models also have a history of specific problems like head gasket failure, which buyers should be aware of, notes CoPilot for Car Shopping.
 
Performance and handling

• Lack of power: Acceleration is often described as leisurely due to the engine's modest horsepower and torque output. 
• CVT issues: Some owners report shaking or jerking, particularly when accelerating from a stop, which can be related to the CVT. 
• Ride quality: The ride can be uncomfortable over large bumps, feeling bouncy despite being generally pleasant. 
• Refinement: The engine lacks the refinement of competitors, and the boxy shape contributes to wind noise. 

Design and technology

• Cargo space: The cargo area is significantly smaller than some top competitors in the segment. 
• Infotainment: The infotainment system can have touch sensitivity issues and may be less innovative than some rivals. 
• Driver assist issues: Some owners have reported issues with the alerts from driver assistance features, notes Edmunds. 

Reliability (older models)

• Engine problems: Older generations, particularly from 1998-2002, are known for head gasket failures. Subsequent models (2003, 2006, 2009-2010) have also seen issues with head gaskets and other engine problems.
• Oil consumption: Some model years, particularly between 2011-2013, have been plagued by excessive oil consumption.