Subaru Outback MPG by year — every rating on record

The Subaru Outback has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 18 model years, from 2005 to 2027. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (2020) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 37 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 Outback placed highest in 2013 at #7 of 58, and lowest in 2026 at #109 of 188. It spent 16 of its 18 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 37 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 6 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Outback fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2027 Subaru Outback burns 426 to 479 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 2027 model year is $2,300 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Across the 311 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 27 mpg the Subaru Outback is exactly at the median.

• All Small 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.