Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 2003 to 2004. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2003) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Station Wagons.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | #5 of 15 (71th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Midsize Station Wagons |
| 2004 | 4 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #7 of 16 (60th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Midsize Station Wagons |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagon placed highest in 2003 at #5 of 15, and lowest in 2004 at #7 of 16. It spent 2 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S4) Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 19 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 19 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2003 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S4) Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2003 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 18 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.5L 4-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 → 2004 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
What Legacy/Outback Wagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagon burns 548 to 605 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.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,816 | $173 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $2,118 | $202 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,421 | $231 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2004 model year is $2,950 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Station Wagons
Across the 65 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 22 mpg. At 21 mpg the Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagon is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $87 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Station Wagons 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.