Subaru Forester vs. Kia Optima MPG

Chart is based on 754 fuel economy reports for the Subaru Forester and 152 fuel economy reports for the Kia Optima.

Subaru Forester MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2018	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	light	0	10	30	60	100	32.4
2017	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	light	none	11	54	2	33	93	20.5
2016	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	45	8	10	37	70	25.1
2016	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	hills	light	light	0	10	10	80	60	27.7
2015	4dr SUV turbocharged 237hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	med	none	4	4	19	73	118	24.6
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	light	3	7	9	81	80	30.7
2014	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	v.lt	hvy	10	40	40	10	65	27.2
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2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	hvy	30	20	40	10	70	24.0
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	0	5	18	77	62	28.8
2013.5	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	flat	light	hvy	5	5	80	10	100	28.0
2013	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	light	5	8	31	55	69	25.4
2013	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	light	0	10	41	49	70	25.6
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	mtns	light	none	0	5	45	50	60	24.5
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	2	15	15	69	71	24.9
2011	4dr SUV 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	50	30	10	10	100	26.1
2010	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	18	18	35	29	65	20.3
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	none	2	18	40	42	60	24.2
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	light	6	23	26	44	62	24.5
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	14	14	0	71	142	16.8
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	15	35	20	31	71	20.4
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	10	23	26	41	80	24.2
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	light	8	14	33	46	68	24.1
2008	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	0	10	70	20	55	24.9
2008	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	29	4	1	66	68	27.1
2007	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	10	0	15	75	75	20.4
2007	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	0	25	75	68	22.4
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	1	36	33	30	85	25.2
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	hvy	5	33	18	45	73	26.2
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	11	10	22	58	116	21.9
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	15	0	20	65	110	25.3
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	0	50	50	69	25.5
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	6	28	21	45	68	23.7
2005	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	hvy	0	0	0	100	70	21.0
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	lead	light	5	20	33	43	81	25.6
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	hills	light	light	4	12	46	38	74	24.0
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	9	8	8	76	73	22.2
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	6	26	18	50	79	21.6
2004	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	light	2	12	21	66	69	27.3
2004	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	none	9	33	23	36	60	23.7
2003	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	light	9	10	28	53	68	25.3
2003	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	11	17	27	45	69	22.2
2002	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	light	none	2	15	65	18	64	25.9
2002	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	5	31	19	45	59	22.9
2001	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	2	10	22	67	68	27.3
2001	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	hvy	4	3	82	11	59	19.4
2000	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	light	light	10	20	0	70	60	21.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Subaru Forester fuel economy data.

Kia Optima MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2019	4dr Sedan turbocharged 245hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	0	10	50	40	70	26.7
2017	4dr Sedan 154-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	30	30	20	20	70	52.6
2016	4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 7-speed automated manual FWD	hills	light	light	6	0	14	80	67	39.0
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	0	24	21	56	69	25.5
2013	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	32	14	54	83	27.1
2013	4dr Sedan 159-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	2	13	15	71	102	32.5
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	light	4	18	39	39	72	25.6
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2012	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	0	4	20	76	69	32.3
2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	light	0	5	28	68	70	28.0
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	none	4	7	21	67	66	28.7
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	0	5	20	75	75	30.0
2010	4dr Sedan 194-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	0	10	70	20	75	20.0
2010	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	20	80	63	36.2
2009	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	5	12	16	67	65	29.1
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	20	60	10	10	60	26.3
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	lead	light	30	15	30	25	75	26.2
2007	4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	7	13	3	78	108	29.5
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	none	1	36	48	15	63	23.2
2006.5	4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	hvy	6	4	33	58	66	24.6
2006.5	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	18	16	9	56	63	28.9
2006.5	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	10	90	60	30.0
2005	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	lead	light	5	95	0	0	0	12.1
2004	4dr Sedan 138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	5	95	70	30.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Kia Optima fuel economy data.

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	Subaru's latest engines when paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) earn much better EPA numbers than their ancestors. The 2013 Forester rated only 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway. The 2014 checks in at 24/32, about as good as you'll find in a compact crossover with all-wheel-drive. The CR-V manages 22/30, the RAV-4 22/29. Only the Mazda CX-5 comes close, 25/31 or 24/30, depending on engine size (you want the larger one with the slightly lower EPA numbers). In suburban driving I observed trip computer averages of 23 to 27 once the engine was warmed up. But 15 for the first couple of miles--it was cold and snowy the week I had the car. (This big difference when the engine is warming up is typical, but something many people don't realize when comparing their winter averages with the EPA ratings.) Summer fuel economy should be better. see full Subaru Forester review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	I drive mainly around town and average 26 overall. On a highway drive, I get around 33. My previous vehicle was a 2009 Escape V6 AWD, this is a definite improvement on fuel economy. I could rarely get 30 on the highway. Typically around 27. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	The suggested/promised MPG is pretty high and, while I haven't hit those numbers on average, I can say that I'm getting better mileage than I was getting in a smaller, non-AWD, non-SUV "sporty" car with a smaller engine. The built-in value of the vehicle is top notch... For the price, I got more equipment than I would have gotten on much of the competition...! A truly great value for the bucks....! see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Gas mileage is excellent for a full-time AWD car. I averaged 27 in mixe driving. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	26.4 mpg isn't exactly the best ever, but for a very quick family car, it is hard to top. see full Subaru Forester review
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	I've been getting higher than expected fuel economy - around 28MPG, mostly highway see full Subaru Forester review
2010	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	fuel milage around town is averaging 24 miles to the gallon, but it is still new and not being loaded. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	I am averaging 25 mpg in a mix of in-town and highway driving see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	better than most comparable rigs hi-way mileage even around town see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I am getting 27.5 mpg with 60% town driving, the rest in hilly country. Very impressed, and the car is not even broken in yet. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Saves over 40% compared to last SUV see full Subaru Forester review

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Fuel economy isn't as great as I'd hoped, but better than the previous vehicle I had - which was smaller, lighter and got worse mileage. see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Fuel econmy is OK in summer, again would be good vehicle for california. However in Canada where we get lots of cold weather fuel economy is very poor, in fact it is worse than my BMW, which has twice the horsepower and my Honda Van, what gives? Plus you are freezing inside in the winter see full Subaru Forester review
2011	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Mileage is sub par. This Forester replaced a 2007 Ford Fusion all wheel drive. Same driving style, same route, same traffic- 2 mpg less than the V6 Fusion. see full Subaru Forester review
2010	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Handling is so pleasant that sporty driving is quite fule consuming see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Only 20 mpg or so has been best fuel economy to date. see full Subaru Forester review
2009	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Fuel consumption in 63000Km: -city: on the average(rush hours and non rush hours) around 15l/100Km -highway: around 9-10l/100Km at 130Km/h, 18-20l/100Km at 200-210 Km/h - other paved roads including mountain paved roads: around 11-12l/100Km - off-road: 14-16l/100Km see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Fuel economy not as good as the CR-V, though the more powerful engine was the reason. see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Some people look at the XT's ratings and think 19-24 is horrible AND you have to buy premium gas! Not me. Don't mind it one bit. Do the math: $3 extra over regular unleaded at the pump every fill-up, 4 times a month (although I fill up less), that's $12/month. Multiply by 12 months and you're looking at $144/year! That's nothing to pay for the fun added to your driving experience! Some people pay more than that for one nice dinner out! see full Subaru Forester review
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD	Takes a lot of fuel and also require Super. Youve got to pay to play. see full Subaru Forester review
2004	4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD	Fuel economy is hit or miss. I've seen anywhere from 14-20 in the city with no discernable difference in driving habits. On the highway I've seen anywhere from 19-26. Once again, with no discernable difference in driving style, speed, or weather. There is just no predictability. see full Subaru Forester review

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	Many auto makers are substituting turbocharged fours for V6s because of their theoretically superior fuel economy. The Kia Optima SXL earns EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 34 highway. The similarly turbo-foured Ford Fusion comes close, 22/33. The most fuel efficient V6, in the new Honda Accord, manages 21/34 without paddle shifters, but 21/32 with them. Trip computer numbers suggest a one-to-two mpg advantage for the Kia in real-world suburban driving--perhaps too close to call since these devices aren't terribly precise. Figure just under 20 with a heavy foot, mid-20s if you resist the temptation, and just over 30 with a very light foot and luck with the lights. All of these figures are with the engine warmed up. In cold weather, fuel economy is in the mid-teens for the first mile or two. An eco mode makes little noticeable difference in either how the car drives or its fuel economy. These numbers don't seem particularly good? Recall that the Kia Optima SXL is a very quick car. You won't find a 274-horsepower sedan that does better without the aid of a battery pack. see full Kia Optima review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I find fuel economy, in mixed driving, to be on par with a V6 of comparable power. I usually get about 24 MPG in combined driving. However, on a recent road trip, I had 32 MPG on one tank. It's perhaps slightly better than the Acura TL I had, but one big bonus: the Acura required premium unleaded. On the Kia Optima, however, the manufacturer only calls for regular unleaded. Over time, that can mean a significant savings. see full Kia Optima review
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	This is my biggest (and only real) complaint with the Optima. It advertises fuel economy of 22 city, 34 highway. I drive a lot (100 mile round trip daily, with more than half of it being highway miles). Admittedly, I have a heavy foot, but I regularly get about 24-25 mpg combined, with the car in ECO mode. The best tank of gas I ever got was a little over 28 mpg. (I calculate it manually, don't rely on the on-board MPG estimates, as they are always 3-5 MPG more generous than reality.) see full Kia Optima review
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	High 30s on the highway and 29-30 overall with a lot of power. Active eco. setting for better economy. see full Kia Optima review
2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	33 mpg on 200 mile trips at about 65 mph avg. see full Kia Optima review
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Decent fuel mileage at this point for a mid-size sedan. see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	25-30 city/hwy see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	It may be a bit borderline in 100% city driving (19-20 mpg), but it gets 33mpg+ on the open highway, with only a 1-2 mpg penalty for using A/C. see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	got 42 mgh yesteerday on a 120 minute drive 25%/75% in town/highway driving. Like paying $2.25 per gallon, see full Kia Optima review
2005	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	AS above see full Kia Optima review

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I'd recommend this car in a heartbeat. I honestly like this styling even more than the updates they've made since 2012. My biggest cons are the fuel economy and the lack of a manual transmission on any models other than the base model. see full Kia Optima review