The short answer
The Subaru Forester gets slightly better gas mileage than the Outback. Gas-to-gas, the standard Forester is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined versus the base Outback's 28 — a 1 mpg edge. Add the new 2025 Forester Hybrid at 35 mpg combined and the lead jumps to 7 mpg, since no Outback Hybrid exists.
Which Forester and Outback trims get the best fuel economy?
The Forester, narrowly. The standard 2025 gas Forester is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 33 highway), versus 28 mpg combined for the base Outback — a 1 mpg edge. Both use Subaru's 2.5L boxer engine and standard all-wheel drive, so the gap is small and comes mainly from the Forester's lighter body.
| 2025 model & trim | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester (Base/Premium/Limited, 2.5L) | 26 | 33 | 29 mpg |
| Forester Sport/Touring (2.5L) | 25 | 32 | 28 mpg |
| Forester Wilderness (2.5L) | 25 | 28 | 26 mpg |
| Outback (Base/Premium/Limited, 2.5L) | 26 | 32 | 28 mpg |
Every Subaru here is all-wheel drive, so there's no front-drive version to compare — a key difference from most rivals. EPA estimates come from fueleconomy.gov for the 2025 Forester and the 2025 Outback. For how these two stack up against rival compact SUVs, see our CR-V vs. RAV4 comparison.
How does the Forester Hybrid compare to the gas Outback on fuel economy?
The Forester Hybrid wins by 7 mpg. The new 2025 Forester Hybrid is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined (35 city / 34 highway), versus 28 for the base gas Outback. Because no Outback Hybrid exists for 2025, the Outback has no direct answer — the Forester is the only one of the pair offering a hybrid.
The 2025 Forester Hybrid is brand-new to the U.S., arriving in spring 2025 with a starting MSRP around $34,995. It's a non-plug-in, series-parallel hybrid — you never plug it in, and it keeps Subaru's standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. That makes it the clear fuel-economy pick of this matchup for buyers who don't need the Outback's extra length or cargo. Ratings are listed on the Forester's fueleconomy.gov page. For whether the hybrid premium pays off, see our guide on whether a hybrid is worth it.
Does the Outback turbo engine hurt fuel economy?
Yes, notably. The Outback XT trims use a 2.4L turbo rated at 25 mpg combined versus 28 for the base 2.5L — a 3 mpg drop. The turbo Wilderness falls further to 23 mpg combined. The turbo adds power and towing capacity, but it costs roughly $225 a year more in fuel than the base engine.
| 2025 Outback trim (engine) | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base/Premium/Limited/Touring (2.5L) | 26 | 32 | 28 mpg |
| Onyx XT/Limited XT/Touring XT (2.4L turbo) | 22 | 29 | 25 mpg |
| Wilderness (2.4L turbo) | 21 | 26 | 23 mpg |
The same pattern holds on the Forester Wilderness, whose more aggressive gearing and tires drop it to 26 mpg combined. If fuel economy is the priority, skip the turbo and off-road trims on both models. Engine ratings are pulled from the Outback's fueleconomy.gov listing.
How much more do you spend on gas with an Outback Wilderness vs a standard Forester?
About $473 a year. At 15,000 miles a year and $3.50 a gallon, the 23-mpg Outback Wilderness costs roughly $2,283 in fuel, while the 29-mpg standard Forester costs about $1,810. The Forester Hybrid is cheapest at roughly $1,500 — about $783 less than the Wilderness over a year.
| Model (combined mpg) | Gallons / yr | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|
| Forester Hybrid (35) | ~429 | ~$1,500 |
| Forester standard (29) | ~517 | ~$1,810 |
| Outback 2.5L (28) | ~536 | ~$1,875 |
| Outback 2.4L turbo XT (25) | ~600 | ~$2,100 |
| Outback Wilderness (23) | ~652 | ~$2,283 |
These are estimates, not promises — your bill depends on gas prices, mileage, and how you drive. National average gas prices are tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. For the full ownership picture, see our guide to the annual cost of car ownership.
Which Subaru should I choose if fuel economy matters most?
For the lowest fuel cost, buy the 2025 Forester Hybrid — 35 mpg combined and roughly $1,500 a year, the best of the lineup. Among gas models the standard Forester leads at 29 mpg. The Outback makes sense for its longer body and turbo towing, but its 23–28 mpg trims cost more to run.
- Pick the Forester Hybrid if: you want the highest mpg, keep standard AWD, and don't need the Outback's extra cargo length.
- Pick the gas Forester if: you want strong mileage at a lower price than the hybrid and a compact footprint.
- Pick the Outback if: you want more cargo room or turbo power and towing, and accept the lower 23–28 mpg.
Frequently asked questions
Which gets better MPG, the Subaru Forester or the Outback?
The Forester, narrowly. The standard 2025 gas Forester is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined versus 28 for the base Outback — a 1 mpg edge, since both use Subaru's 2.5L boxer and standard AWD. The Forester Hybrid stretches that lead to 7 mpg at 35 combined.
How does the Forester Hybrid compare to the gas Outback on fuel economy?
The Forester Hybrid wins by 7 mpg. The new 2025 Forester Hybrid is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined (35 city / 34 highway) versus 28 for the base gas Outback. No Outback Hybrid exists for 2025, so the Outback has no direct answer to it.
Does the Outback turbo engine hurt fuel economy?
Yes, notably. Outback XT trims use a 2.4L turbo rated at 25 mpg combined versus 28 for the base 2.5L — a 3 mpg drop. The Wilderness, also turbo, falls to 23 mpg combined. The turbo adds power and towing but costs roughly $225 a year in fuel.
How much more does an Outback Wilderness cost in gas than a standard Forester?
About $473 a year. At 15,000 miles and $3.50 a gallon, the 23-mpg Outback Wilderness costs roughly $2,283 while the 29-mpg standard Forester costs about $1,810. The turbo Wilderness's 6-mpg deficit adds up over a year of driving.
What is the Subaru Forester's MPG?
The standard 2025 Subaru Forester is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway, for 29 mpg combined, all with standard AWD. Sport and Touring trims rate 28 mpg combined, the Wilderness 26, and the new Forester Hybrid 35 mpg combined.
What is the Subaru Outback's MPG?
The 2025 Subaru Outback with the 2.5L engine is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city / 32 mpg highway, for 28 mpg combined. The 2.4L turbo XT trims rate 25 mpg combined, and the turbo Wilderness drops to 23 — all with standard all-wheel drive.
Which Subaru should I choose if fuel economy matters most?
The 2025 Forester Hybrid, at 35 mpg combined and roughly $1,500 a year in fuel. Among gas models, the standard Forester leads at 29 mpg. Avoid turbo Outback XT and Wilderness trims if mileage is the priority — they drop to 23 to 25 mpg combined.
Sources
CarsLens is editorial guidance, not individualized advice. This comparison draws on EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2025 Subaru Outback, plus national gas prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Fuel-cost figures are estimates at a stated price and mileage.