TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year
Comment
2015
Subaru has also made impressive strides recently in improving fuel economy. Through 2009 the EPA rated the Outback for 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway. Though the Outback grew substantially for 2010, it also gained a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and this boosted the ratings to 22/29. A new engine for 2013 affected another increase, to 24/30. Tweaks for 2015 yielded the most recent bump, to 25/33.
Nearly every gasoline-powered crossover close to the Outback in size with all-wheel drive falls short, even well short, of these ratings. The Jeep Cherokee, despite a nine-speed transmission, manages only 21/28. The only one that matches the Outback's ratings is the new Honda CR-V (with a slightly better 26/33).
My entire week with the Outback was spent with the air temperature below, usually far below, freezing. With a cold start, fuel economy was about 15 mpg for the first two miles. But once the engine warmed up, it managed trip computer averages between 22 and 30 mpg in my suburban driving, and most often about 25, right on the EPA city rating.
On a 70-mph highway I observed 30 mpg in one direction but 26 mpg in the other. To match the EPA highway rating in the real world you'll need to drive more slowly. Warmer temperatures should also help.
see full Subaru Outback review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Outback
Fuel economy is great, on the highway at 70mph I get in the summer around 30-33mpg, winter it drops to around 27 ( board computer after refill with a warm engine). Combined 10% city, 20% suburb and 70% highway it's a 25-28mpg with relaxed driving. Fully loaded doesn't seem do make a big impact, AC set usually around 65 in winter and 72 in summer.
see full Subaru Outback review
Compared to the full size p/u I was driving it is fantastic. Getting just over 21 in mostly stop and go suburban driving. Figure it will get better with age. Only had a couple tanks of gas so far. Only one measured.
see full Subaru Outback review
28MPG on an all wheel drive vehicle with 8" of ground clearance is tough to beat. Especially since I'm averaging 32 on the highway!
see full Subaru Outback review
The fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru Outback is disappointing. Again, I owned and drove a 2013 Honda CR-V and it offered better performance and acceleration, and far better fuel economy than this car. This, despite the fact that the Subaru Outback and Honda CR-V show fuel economy ratings that are fairly close in the government measurements. Well, I drive this car the same way that I drove the Honda CR-V and also the several Honda Accords that I have owned. My gas mileage on this Subaru is consistently lower than it is and that it has been on the Hondas that I have owned and driven. This lower gas mileage coupled with the less imprssive acceleration and performance represents my biggest disappointment with this Subaru.
see full Subaru Outback review
The fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru Outback is disappointing. Again, I owned and drove a 2013 Honda CR-V and it offered better performance and acceleration, and far better fuel economy than this car. This, despite the fact that the Subaru Outback and Honda CR-V show fuel economy ratings that are fairly close in the government measurements. Well, I drive this car the same way that I drove the Honda CR-V and also the several Honda Accords that I have owned. My gas mileage on this Subaru is consistently lower than it is and that it has been on the Hondas that I have owned and driven. This lower gas mileage coupled with the less imprssive acceleration and performance represents my biggest disappointment with this Subaru.
see full Subaru Outback review
The 2013 is supposed to get a few more MPG's in the city and highway. Not really a big deal, but every bit helps. For a large vehicle with AWD, the Outback is unbeatable in MPG.
see full Subaru Outback review
AWD definately cost you a few on gas mileage so FWD vehicles worth more of a look if you live in warm climate or only rarely off pavement
see full Subaru Outback review
Six cylinders matched to full-time AWD makes for a thristy ride. Ability to shut off AWD in certain aspects would be beneficial in some circumstances.
The turbocharger requires extra maintenance and premium gas. The I4 is the way to go.
see full Subaru Outback review
With gas at almost $4/gal, and driving lots of miles, long distance, I would love to get better than 26 MPG on the highway. I am going to slow down though, and I still do love the turbo.
see full Subaru Outback review
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 Outback's
real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.
TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Outback
What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Outback
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed manual AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
4-speed automatic AWD