Subaru XT MPG by year — every rating on record

The Subaru XT has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 1985 to 1991. Across those years its best rated version returned 25 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1988). The EPA record holds 50 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

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 XT placed highest in 1985 at #10 of 25, and lowest in 1989 at #39 of 71. It spent 6 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 50 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What XT fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1991 Subaru XT burns 460 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 1991 model year is $2,500 to $3,300 a year in fuel, or $3,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 25 mpg the Subaru XT is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $67 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Subcompact Cars 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.