- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
2003-2006 Subaru Baja MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 18–22 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2003-2006 Subaru Baja at a glance
The 2003-2006 Subaru Baja covers 4 model years in the EPA database (14 configurations in all), rated 18–22 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $2,970 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD (22 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The best combined rating in the generation, 22 MPG, was reached in 2006.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2003-2006 Subaru Baja by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $2,970–$4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 20 MPG | $3,270 | First year |
What the 2006 Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs to drive
Per month
$248
$2,970 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.95
Per 100 miles
$19.80
Five years
$14,850
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$1,110less a year
Class median $4,080 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Subaru Baja MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 22 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,970, $140 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Subaru Baja MPG
18–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,460/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Subaru Baja MPG
18–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,460/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 20 to 21 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,270 to $3,110, $160 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Subaru Baja MPG
20 MPG · $3,270/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,270 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD: $4,040 in California and $2,590 in Texas, a $1,450 difference.
- California $4,040
- Washington $3,740
- New York $2,970
- Florida $2,810
- Texas $2,590
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2003-2006 (2003)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja get?
EPA rates the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja at 18–22 MPG combined across 14 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2006 Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD, is rated 22 MPG (20 city, 26 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja?
The Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD reached the generation's best combined rating, 22 MPG, in 2006. The lowest top rating, 20 MPG, was in 2003.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Subaru Baja per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $2,970 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,970–$4,460 a year. That is a $1,490 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 Subaru Baja 100 miles?
About $19.80 per 100 miles for the Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $19.80 and $29.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 Subaru Baja more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD is rated 20 city and 26 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2006 Subaru Baja compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Baja 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $2,970 a year to fuel, $1,110 less than the class median of $4,080, and less than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 296 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 Subaru Baja different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 22 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,970, $140 less. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2006 against 4 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 Subaru Baja for that year.