- Newest year: 2013
- Gas
- Small SUVs
2009-2013 Subaru Forester MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 21–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 small SUV configurations, MY2013. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2009-2013 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2009-2013 Subaru Forester covers 5 model years in the EPA database (15 configurations in all), rated 21–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2013, costs about $2,830 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD (23 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The best combined rating in the generation, 23 MPG, was reached in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2009-2013 Subaru Forester by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,830–$3,880 | Ratings changed |
| 2012 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,830–$3,880 | Ratings changed |
| 2011 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,830–$3,880 | Ratings changed |
| 2010 | Gas | 21–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,830 | Ratings changed |
| 2009 | Gas | 21–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,830 | First year |
What the 2013 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs to drive
Per month
$236
$2,830 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.72
Per 100 miles
$18.87
Five years
$14,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small SUV median
$220less a year
Class median $3,050 a year, MY2013
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2013 Subaru Forester MPG
Versus 2012: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,830.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,830 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,850 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,880 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2012 Subaru Forester MPG
21–23 MPG · $2,830–$3,880/yr
Versus 2011: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,830.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,830 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,850 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,880 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2011 Subaru Forester MPG
21–23 MPG · $2,830–$3,880/yr
Versus 2010: The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 23 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $2,830, $140 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,830 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,850 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,880 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2010 Subaru Forester MPG
21–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,830/yr
Versus 2009: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (S4) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,830 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2009 Subaru Forester MPG
21–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,830/yr
Gas configurations (3)
| 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 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,830 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD: $3,850 in California and $2,470 in Texas, a $1,380 difference.
- California $3,850
- Washington $3,570
- New York $2,830
- Florida $2,680
- Texas $2,470
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2013 small 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 2009-2013 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2009-2013 Subaru Forester at 21–23 MPG combined across 15 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2013 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD, is rated 23 MPG (21 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2009-2013 Subaru Forester?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 23 MPG, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The lowest top rating, 22 MPG, was in 2009 and 2010.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2009-2013 Subaru Forester?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
How does the 2009-2013 Subaru Forester compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2003-2008 Subaru Forester) is rated 18–23 MPG combined and costs $2,840–$4,460 a year to fuel; the 2009-2013 model is rated 21–23 MPG and costs $2,830–$3,880 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 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 AWD costs about $2,830 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $2,830–$3,880 a year. That is a $1,050 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2013 Subaru Forester 100 miles?
About $18.87 per 100 miles for the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.87 and $25.87 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2013 Subaru Forester more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD is rated 21 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2013 Subaru Forester compare with other small SUV configurations?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $2,830 a year to fuel, $220 less than the class median of $3,050, and less than 7 of 10 small SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 168 rated small SUV configurations for MY2013, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2013 Subaru Forester different from the 2012 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,830. EPA lists 3 configurations for 2013 against 3 configurations for 2012. See the 2012 Subaru Forester for that year.