- Newest year: 2008
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
2003-2008 Subaru Forester MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 18–23 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, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2003-2008 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2003-2008 Subaru Forester covers 6 model years in the EPA database (22 configurations in all), rated 18–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2008, costs about $2,970 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Forester 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, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The best combined rating in the generation, 23 MPG, was reached in 2005.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2003-2008 Subaru Forester by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Gas | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$4,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2007 | Gas | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$4,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2006 | Gas | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$4,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 19–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,230 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 21 MPG | $3,110 | First year |
What the 2008 Forester 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
$870less a year
Class median $3,840 a year, MY2008
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2008 Subaru Forester MPG
Versus 2007: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,830 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,020 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2007 Subaru Forester MPG
20–22 MPG · $2,970–$4,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,830 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,020 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Subaru Forester MPG
20–22 MPG · $2,970–$4,020/yr
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 23 to 22 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,840 to $2,970, $130 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Subaru Forester MPG
19–23 MPG · $2,840–$4,230/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 moves from 21 to 23 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,840, $270 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 | 22 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,230 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Subaru Forester 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 stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (4)
| 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 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 21 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 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 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 | 24 | 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: $4,040 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 MY2008 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 2003-2008 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester at 18–23 MPG combined across 22 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD, is rated 23 MPG (20 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD reached the generation's best combined rating, 23 MPG, in 2005. The lowest top rating, 21 MPG, was in 2003 and 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
How does the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000-2002 Subaru Forester) is rated 21 MPG combined and costs $3,110 a year to fuel; the 2003-2008 model is rated 18–23 MPG and costs $2,840–$4,460 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 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 $2,970 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,970–$4,020 a year. That is a $1,050 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2008 Subaru Forester 100 miles?
About $19.80 per 100 miles for the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $19.80 and $26.80 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forester 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 2008 Subaru Forester compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $2,970 a year to fuel, $870 less than the class median of $3,840, and less than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 334 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester different from the 2007 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2008 against 4 configurations for 2007. See the 2007 Subaru Forester for that year.