- Newest year: 2018
- Gas
- Small SUVs
2014-2018 Subaru Forester MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 24–28 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 small SUV configurations, MY2018. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2014-2018 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2014-2018 Subaru Forester covers 5 model years in the EPA database (15 configurations in all), rated 24–28 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2018, costs about $2,320 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD (28 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The best combined rating in the generation, 28 MPG, was reached in 2017 and 2018.
2014-2018 Subaru Forester by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Gas | 24–28 MPG | $2,320–$3,250 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas | 24–28 MPG | $2,320–$3,250 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 25–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Gas | 25–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | Ratings changed |
| 2014 | Gas | 24–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | First year |
What the 2018 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs to drive
Per month
$193
$2,320 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.87
Per 100 miles
$15.47
Five years
$11,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small SUV median
$640less a year
Class median $2,960 a year, MY2018
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 Subaru Forester MPG
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 28 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,320.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (AV-S6) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,320 |
| Forester 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,250 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 6-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2017 Subaru Forester MPG
24–28 MPG · $2,320–$3,250/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration moves from 27 to 28 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,430 to $2,320, $110 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,320 |
| Forester 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,250 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 6-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2016 Subaru Forester MPG
25–27 MPG · $2,430–$3,250/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 27 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,430.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,430 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 6-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,670 |
| Forester 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,250 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2015 Subaru Forester MPG
25–27 MPG · $2,430–$3,250/yr
Versus 2014: The most efficient configuration stays at 27 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,430.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,430 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 6-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,670 |
| Forester 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,250 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2014 Subaru Forester MPG
24–27 MPG · $2,430–$3,250/yr
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,430 |
| Forester 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,250 |
| Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD Manual 6-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
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: $3,160 in California and $2,030 in Texas, a $1,130 difference.
- California $3,160
- Washington $2,930
- New York $2,320
- Florida $2,190
- Texas $2,030
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2018 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 2014-2018 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester at 24–28 MPG combined across 15 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2018 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD, is rated 28 MPG (26 city, 32 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 28 MPG, in 2017 and 2018. The lowest top rating, 27 MPG, was in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
How does the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2009-2013 Subaru Forester) is rated 21–23 MPG combined and costs $2,830–$3,880 a year to fuel; the 2014-2018 model is rated 24–28 MPG and costs $2,320–$3,250 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 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 $2,320 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $2,320–$3,250 a year. That is a $930 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2018 Subaru Forester 100 miles?
About $15.47 per 100 miles for the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.47 and $21.67 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD is rated 26 city and 32 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2018 Subaru Forester compare with other small SUV configurations?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $2,320 a year to fuel, $640 less than the class median of $2,960, and less than 9 of 10 small SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 223 rated small SUV configurations for MY2018, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester different from the 2017 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 28 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,320. EPA lists 3 configurations for 2018 against 3 configurations for 2017. See the 2017 Subaru Forester for that year.