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Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI MPG

Chart is based on 751 fuel economy reports for the Subaru Forester and 993 fuel economy reports for the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI.

Subaru Forester MPG

Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2018 32.4 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2017 20.5 MPG Highway Percentage 33 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2016 25.3 MPG Highway Percentage 39 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2016 27.7 MPG Highway Percentage 80 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2015 24.6 MPG Highway Percentage 73 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2015 30.7 MPG Highway Percentage 81 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2014 27.2 MPG Highway Percentage 10 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2014 24.0 MPG Highway Percentage 10 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2014 28.8 MPG Highway Percentage 77 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2013.5 28.0 MPG Highway Percentage 10 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2013 25.4 MPG Highway Percentage 55 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2013 25.6 MPG Highway Percentage 49 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2011 24.5 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2011 24.9 MPG Highway Percentage 69 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2011 26.1 MPG Highway Percentage 10 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2010 20.3 MPG Highway Percentage 29 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2010 24.2 MPG Highway Percentage 42 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2010 24.5 MPG Highway Percentage 44 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009 16.8 MPG Highway Percentage 71 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009 20.4 MPG Highway Percentage 31 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009 24.2 MPG Highway Percentage 41 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009 24.1 MPG Highway Percentage 46 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008 24.9 MPG Highway Percentage 20 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008 27.1 MPG Highway Percentage 66 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2007 20.4 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2007 22.4 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2007 25.2 MPG Highway Percentage 30 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2007 26.2 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2006 21.9 MPG Highway Percentage 58 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2006 25.3 MPG Highway Percentage 65 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2006 25.5 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2006 23.7 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2005 21.0 MPG Highway Percentage 100 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2005 25.6 MPG Highway Percentage 43 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2005 24.0 MPG Highway Percentage 38 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2004 22.2 MPG Highway Percentage 76 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2004 21.6 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2004 27.3 MPG Highway Percentage 66 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2004 23.7 MPG Highway Percentage 36 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2003 25.3 MPG Highway Percentage 53 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2003 22.2 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2002 25.9 MPG Highway Percentage 18 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2002 22.9 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2001 27.3 MPG Highway Percentage 67 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2001 19.4 MPG Highway Percentage 11 percent Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2000 21.0 MPG Highway Percentage 70 percent
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 44 8 8 39 70 25.3  
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.

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI MPG

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2018 32.7 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2017 28.4 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2017 30.6 MPG Highway Percentage 53 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 31.3 MPG Highway Percentage 81 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 33.4 MPG Highway Percentage 25 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 23.2 MPG Highway Percentage 37 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 35.0 MPG Highway Percentage 72 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 31.3 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 25.0 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2016 32.2 MPG Highway Percentage 88 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 41.0 MPG Highway Percentage 63 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 41.3 MPG Highway Percentage 70 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 32.7 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 27.6 MPG Highway Percentage 17 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 43.0 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2015 40.9 MPG Highway Percentage 65 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2014 24.7 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2013 30.0 MPG Highway Percentage 51 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2013 29.8 MPG Highway Percentage 62 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2013 33.3 MPG Highway Percentage 78 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2013 38.0 MPG Highway Percentage 98 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2013 42.8 MPG Highway Percentage 90 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 26.2 MPG Highway Percentage 71 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 23.5 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 41.1 MPG Highway Percentage 46 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 49.4 MPG Highway Percentage 71 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 27.2 MPG Highway Percentage 30 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 24.0 MPG Highway Percentage 65 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 43.5 MPG Highway Percentage 82 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 30.8 MPG Highway Percentage 10 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2012 33.0 MPG Highway Percentage 70 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 27.3 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 28.4 MPG Highway Percentage 54 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 47.1 MPG Highway Percentage 90 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 39.5 MPG Highway Percentage 31 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 28.0 MPG Highway Percentage 80 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 33.2 MPG Highway Percentage 95 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 48.1 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2011 31.5 MPG Highway Percentage 95 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 28.5 MPG Highway Percentage 19 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 26.2 MPG Highway Percentage 42 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 45.2 MPG Highway Percentage 90 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 42.3 MPG Highway Percentage 64 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 39.7 MPG Highway Percentage 54 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 30.4 MPG Highway Percentage 57 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 26.0 MPG Highway Percentage 20 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 26.4 MPG Highway Percentage 37 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 27.0 MPG Highway Percentage 46 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 43.4 MPG Highway Percentage 48 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 40.2 MPG Highway Percentage 58 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 27.0 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2010 27.4 MPG Highway Percentage 70 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009.5 33.9 MPG Highway Percentage 30 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 27.5 MPG Highway Percentage 73 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 27.6 MPG Highway Percentage 36 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 27.4 MPG Highway Percentage 61 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 24.9 MPG Highway Percentage 33 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 17.1 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2009 25.5 MPG Highway Percentage 31 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 25.8 MPG Highway Percentage 41 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 45.5 MPG Highway Percentage 35 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 28.0 MPG Highway Percentage 62 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 23.0 MPG Highway Percentage 67 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 27.8 MPG Highway Percentage 51 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 26.6 MPG Highway Percentage 53 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 22.3 MPG Highway Percentage 62 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 28.9 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2008 18.9 MPG Highway Percentage 20 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 28.2 MPG Highway Percentage 72 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 25.7 MPG Highway Percentage 46 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 23.9 MPG Highway Percentage 57 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 29.2 MPG Highway Percentage 81 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 25.6 MPG Highway Percentage 38 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 28.1 MPG Highway Percentage 55 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 26.8 MPG Highway Percentage 35 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2007 27.0 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006.5 23.0 MPG Highway Percentage 27 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006.5 27.6 MPG Highway Percentage 49 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006.5 24.1 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006.5 25.8 MPG Highway Percentage 42 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006 32.3 MPG Highway Percentage 17 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2006 28.7 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005.5 39.8 MPG Highway Percentage 89 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005 45.0 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005 41.0 MPG Highway Percentage 20 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005 19.8 MPG Highway Percentage 0 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005 26.5 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2005 29.3 MPG Highway Percentage 65 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2004 40.0 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2004 43.7 MPG Highway Percentage 44 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2004 22.3 MPG Highway Percentage 59 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2004 28.3 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2003 41.4 MPG Highway Percentage 60 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2003 61.8 MPG Highway Percentage 100 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2003 45.5 MPG Highway Percentage 83 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2003 20.6 MPG Highway Percentage 17 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2003 27.6 MPG Highway Percentage 54 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2002 25.7 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2002 28.0 MPG Highway Percentage 45 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2002 24.0 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2002 26.0 MPG Highway Percentage 75 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2001 46.8 MPG Highway Percentage 56 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2001 29.0 MPG Highway Percentage 58 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2001 17.7 MPG Highway Percentage 0 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2000 46.0 MPG Highway Percentage 50 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2000 24.5 MPG Highway Percentage 20 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2000 21.8 MPG Highway Percentage 25 percent Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2000 19.8 MPG Highway Percentage 40 percent
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 Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat light none 0 5 55 40 75 32.7  
2017 4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med light 0 20 20 60 70 28.4  
2017 4dr Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med none 1 1 45 53 72 30.6  
2016 4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 11 8 0 81 79 31.3  
2016 4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 30 20 25 25 55 33.4  
2016 4dr Hatch turbocharged 292hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual AWD
flat med hvy 3 22 38 37 75 23.2  
2016 4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light light 0 0 28 72 70 35.0  
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2016 4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat lead none 5 30 5 60 75 31.3  
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med light 10 10 40 40 70 25.0  
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
flat v.lt none 2 0 10 88 55 32.2  
2015 4dr Wagon turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
flat med light 0 0 37 63 73 41.0  
2015 4dr Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 0 0 30 70 70 41.3  
2015 4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light none 3 9 13 75 70 32.7  
2015 4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med light 2 10 72 17 100 27.6  
2015 4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
flat lead hvy 0 0 50 50 55 43.0  
2015 4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat light light 2 31 2 65 94 40.9  
2014 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med none 0 20 20 60 70 24.7  
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
hills med none 0 24 25 51 53 30.0  
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat light light 18 1 19 62 65 29.8  
2013 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat v.lt light 2 2 18 78 65 33.3  
2013 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light none 0 0 2 98 75 38.0  
2013 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat light none 0 0 10 90 65 42.8  
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med none 4 10 15 71 74 26.2  
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med hvy 40 20 0 40 76 23.5  
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
hills light none 8 11 34 46 67 41.1  
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 10 9 11 71 70 49.4  
2012 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat lead none 5 5 60 30 113 27.2  
2012 2dr Hatch turbocharged 256hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual AWD
flat med light 5 5 25 65 65 24.0  
2012 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
flat v.lt none 1 8 9 82 63 43.5  
2012 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 15 60 15 10 65 30.8  
2012 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 6 7 17 70 71 33.0  
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med hvy 10 10 40 40 65 27.3  
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 13 22 12 54 80 28.4  
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
hills v.lt light 3 3 4 90 100 47.1  
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med none 8 13 48 31 71 39.5  
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med light 0 1 19 80 75 28.0  
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med none 0 5 0 95 75 33.2  
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
flat light none 15 5 20 60 58 48.1  
2011 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat light hvy 0 3 3 95 60 31.5  
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
hills med light 12 32 38 19 72 28.5  
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med none 12 18 28 42 66 26.2  
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
mtns med light 0 0 10 90 110 45.2  
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
hills med light 7 13 16 64 76 42.3  
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat light none 5 25 15 54 64 39.7  
2010 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 11 34 0 57 115 30.4  
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 26 30 25 20 105 26.0  
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med light 10 19 34 37 71 26.4  
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 9 20 26 46 91 27.0  
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
flat light light 4 6 42 48 67 43.4  
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
hills med light 20 7 15 58 65 40.2  
2010 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat light none 5 5 30 60 65 27.0  
2010 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 7 10 13 70 72 27.4  
2009.5 4dr Hatch twincharged 160hp 1.4L I4
7-speed automated manual FWD
hills light light 5 10 55 30 100 33.9  
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
hills med none 0 0 28 73 68 27.5  
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 7 14 43 36 69 27.6  
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med none 10 11 19 61 69 27.4  
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 6 50 11 33 68 24.9  
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 5 13 8 75 70 17.1  
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 5 8 56 31 67 25.5  
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med none 11 25 23 41 66 25.8  
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 105hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat light none 9 13 43 35 125 45.5  
2008 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat light light 6 4 28 62 65 28.0  
2008 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
hills med none 9 17 7 67 92 23.0  
2008 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat med none 1 7 41 51 63 27.8  
2008 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 8 13 28 53 63 26.6  
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
hills med light 8 12 17 62 74 22.3  
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 13 15 28 45 88 28.9  
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 0 0 80 20 65 18.9  
2007 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light light 6 6 15 72 72 28.2  
2007 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
hills med light 10 24 20 46 73 25.7  
2007 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 6 18 20 57 66 23.9  
2007 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat light none 2 5 11 81 69 29.2  
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat lead light 22 26 14 38 73 25.6  
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat med light 14 20 11 55 80 28.1  
2007 2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 7 20 39 35 70 26.8  
2007 2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
flat med hvy 10 15 25 50 70 27.0  
2006.5 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
hills med none 0 18 55 27 60 23.0  
2006.5 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light light 0 32 19 49 70 27.6  
2006.5 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
flat lead light 25 25 0 50 60 24.1  
2006.5 2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat light light 10 19 29 42 65 25.8  
2006 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat med none 33 33 17 17 100 32.3  
2006 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
hills med light 22 28 10 40 120 28.7  
2005.5 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 1 7 3 89 70 39.8  
2005 4dr Wagon turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
hills light none 5 10 10 75 55 45.0  
2005 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat light hvy 5 15 60 20 75 41.0  
2005 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
flat light none 40 50 10 0 0 19.8  
2005 2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
hills lead light 1 9 30 60 75 26.5  
2005 2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 5 9 21 65 74 29.3  
2004 4dr Sedan turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat light light 25 25 10 40 60 40.0  
2004 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 16 10 30 44 86 43.7  
2004 2dr Hatch 240-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed manual AWD
flat med light 3 32 6 59 73 22.3  
2004 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD
flat med hvy 0 13 13 75 75 28.3  
2003 4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 25 5 11 60 68 41.4  
2003 2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat v.lt none 0 0 0 100 60 61.8  
2003 2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
4-speed automatic FWD
flat light none 11 4 2 83 60 45.5  
2003 2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
flat lead light 9 62 14 17 130 20.6  
2003 2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
flat med light 3 8 34 54 68 27.6  
2002 4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
hills med none 0 8 18 75 68 25.7  
2002 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
hills med light 6 18 33 45 68 28.0  
2002 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
flat light none 5 15 40 40 60 24.0  
2002 2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4
6-speed manual FWD
flat light light 5 20 0 75 60 26.0  
2001 4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
flat light light 5 20 19 56 73 46.8  
2001 4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
hills lead light 10 3 28 58 80 29.0  
2001 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
flat v.lt none 10 85 5 0 N/A 17.7  
2000 4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
hills v.lt none 8 21 21 50 60 46.0  
2000 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 0 50 30 20 60 24.5  
2000 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
flat med light 10 50 15 25 75 21.8  
2000 2dr Hatch 174-horsepower 2.8L V6
5-speed manual FWD
flat med none 7 32 22 40 70 19.8  

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Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI MPG

Unlike other fuel economy surveys, TrueDelta's Real-World Gas Mileage Survey includes questions about how and where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI's where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of their real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models and Volkswagen models.

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearComment
2016 Compared to a crossover, a wagon should also go farther on a gallon of gas, especially on the highway, as it has a smaller frontal area to propel through the atmosphere. In the EPA's tests, the Mazda CX-5 (with front-wheel-drive) managed to slightly outscore the Volkswagen Golf SportsWagen, 26 to 25 mpg. But the GSW fares better in the highway test, 35 vs. 33 mpg. In my real-world suburban driving, I had a much easier time getting the trip computer average over 30 mpg in the Volkswagen, and occasionally even nudged it to 40. In a couple of 70-mph highway drives the VW averaged 37 mpg, a little better than its EPA rating. The CX-5's trip computer averages were usually in the mid-20s, and sometimes in the upper 20s, but rarely got to 30. Granted, the tested CX-5 had all-wheel-drive, which likely cost it a couple mpg (24/30 in the EPA tests). Fuel economy will also vary more with driving style in the VW, with its smaller (1.8-liter vs. 2.5-liter) but turbocharged engine. By nature turbocharged engines use less fuel when driven with a light foot, but will literally force feed themselves when asked to do so. Drive the Golf SportWagen con brio, and the trip computer average will plummet below 25. Whether you get 25 mpg or 35 mpg in the suburbs in this car really is up to you. Experimenting with various styles of driving--for science--I averaged 27.8 for the entire week. The GSW's predecessor, the Jetta SportWagen, was powered by an engine more similiar in specification to the Mazda's, a normally aspirated 2.5 (albeit with this displacement spread over five cylinders rather than four). In the EPA's tests it managed only 23/30. Overall, both the Volkswagen and the Mazda get excellent fuel economy for vehicles with their combination of cargo hauling capacity and performance, but the VW's lesser frontal area and smaller engine give it more upside potential. For those desiring even better fuel economy, the Golf SportWagen used to be available with a 31/42-rated diesel engine. You've probably heard why the TDI is no longer available. While the 1.8T engine can't match the now verboten diesel's combination of low-end torque and fuel efficiency, you'll be hard-pressed to find a gasoline engine in an affordable compact that comes closer. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
Hard to argue with 40+ miles per gallon (and we are getting better than that on some tanks). Just took at 1500 mile road trip and averaged 50.8mpg. Diesel is currently cheaper than premium too. The Golf R is EPA rated for 24mpg but less if driven hard. Update: after 3 months 5,000mi getting 44 mpg combined. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
The Golf TDI easily beats the Honda in fuel economy, while giving up little in performance. We just took at trip in the TDI and averaged 48.8mpg. The Honda V6 is very efficient, but can't compare. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
I'm averaging in the mid to upper 40 mpg (around 4.9 l/100 km) range combined, with about 70% of my driving on the highway. Quite satisfied. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
I have only had this car for one day, but I put 150 miles on it yesterday and averaged 40 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Averaging 40 mpg over the first 200 miles. Online reports indicate this will go up as engine accumulates miles and breaks in. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Averaging 40 mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I like the gearing of the 6-speed and the high-way economy of 31+ mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Among similar "hot hatch" models, the GTI gets the best fuel economy by 5-10 mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I get 30 easily driving it 50/50 city and highway, and not being particularly hard on it (but not beating it either). see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
So far averaging 25mpg with spirited mix of city (65%) and hwy (35%) driving. Great fuel economy even for a fast turbo charged car. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
In this day and age, this particular engine should have been able to have an overall fuel consumption figure of 28 to 30 mpg rather than 24 to 25 mpg combined. (its geared more towards performance rather than economy). The car is definitely no slouch, and acceleration is quite good. But in terms of fuel economy these days, having your cake and eating it too is a given isn't it? One saving grace is that this is VW's most reliable engine, so being able to drive a German engineered affordable substantial vehicle is a worthy trade off. At least, that's the excuse i used. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2012 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Honestly, this isn't terrible - I do a lot of highway driving and my trip computer has registered up to about 40 mpg (which may be optimistic, but its usually closer to 35). This is the (admittedly small) price you pay for a five-cylinder engine with lots of torque and great top-gear acceleration. In light of the exaggerations other small-car makers have promulgated lately, the Golf doesn't look horrible. But it does make fuel economy numbers that would've been good five years ago, and it's easy to do better now. There is no comparison to a hybrid or a diesel, for sure (but these all cost at least 5K more). see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I avg about 25/26 mostly hwy/I understand with the bigger motor less economy but low compared to others in this category/ but if speed is what your after this may be for you its faster than most in this category . see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Does not get very good gas mileage. 20-21mpg? The fuel map has weird cutoff points and the stock intake system has a HUGE delay + drive by wire delay see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
18 city 23 highway is nothing to brag about considering it only has 250hp w/ 6 gears. It has drastically improved since covering 2k miles; last tank was well over 25mpg in mixed driving. Weight of AWD, stong winds, and stop/go kill the mileage. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
averaging about 7 l/100 km, shuld be better on the highway see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
The economy is OK for a sporty car, but it requires premium fuel for best performance. A sacrifice I am willlng to live with. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I only get about 23-26mpg, even on long highway trips. The EPA rating for highway is 29 and I struggle to even come close. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
requires premium gas. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
4 cylinder performance with 6 cylinder fuel economy see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review