- Newest year: 2002
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
- Same as 2001
2000-2002 Subaru Forester MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 21 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2002. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2002 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2000-2002 Subaru Forester covers 3 model years in the EPA database (6 configurations in all), rated 21 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2002, costs about $3,110 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD (21 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA lists identical ratings for every model year of this generation.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2002 Subaru Forester by model year
What the 2002 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs to drive
Per month
$259
$3,110 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.18
Per 100 miles
$20.73
Five years
$15,550
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$970less a year
Class median $4,080 a year, MY2002
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Subaru Forester MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2002 Subaru Forester as for the 2001 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2001 section above.See 2001
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
2001 Subaru Forester MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2000
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2001 Subaru Forester as for the 2000 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2000 section above.See 2000
2000 Subaru Forester MPG
21 MPG · $3,110/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD: $4,230 in California and $2,710 in Texas, a $1,520 difference.
- California $4,230
- Washington $3,920
- New York $3,110
- Florida $2,940
- Texas $2,710
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2002 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2000-2002 (SF)
- 2003-2008 (SG)
- 2009-2013 (SH)
- 2014-2018 (SJ)
- 2019-2024 (SK)
- 2025
- 2026 (SL)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2002 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2000-2002 Subaru Forester at 21 MPG combined across 6 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2002 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD, is rated 21 MPG (19 city, 25 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2002 Subaru Forester?
Every model year of the 2000-2002 Subaru Forester tops out at 21 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2002 Subaru Forester?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for every model year from 2000 to 2002.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Subaru Forester per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $3,110 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $3,110 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2002 Subaru Forester 100 miles?
About $20.73 per 100 miles for the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2002 Subaru Forester more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD is rated 19 city and 25 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2002 Subaru Forester compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $3,110 a year to fuel, $970 less than the class median of $4,080, and less than 8 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 228 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2002, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2002 Subaru Forester different from the 2001 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2001 and 2002: 2 configurations rated 21 MPG combined. See the 2001 Subaru Forester for that year.