Subaru Forester MPG by year — every rating on record

The Subaru Forester has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 29 model years, from 1998 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (2019) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2004). The EPA record holds 70 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Subaru Forester placed highest in 2005 at #2 of 87, and lowest in 2026 at #89 of 188. It spent 29 of its 29 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 70 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 5 of 6 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Forester fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Subaru Forester burns 397 to 397 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $2,150 to $2,150 a year in fuel, or $500 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 29 mpg the Subaru Forester is 8 mpg better the median, which is worth about $529 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Subaru nameplates

Every Subaru model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.