- Newest year: 2026
- Gas
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
2026 Subaru Forester MPG & Fuel Cost
4 configurations · 26–35 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 5 of 10 small SUV configurations, MY2026. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2026 Subaru Forester at a glance
The 2026 Subaru Forester has 4 configurations in the EPA database, rated 26–35 MPG combined. The most efficient is the Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at 35 MPG, which costs about $1,890 a year to fuel at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Annual fuel cost across the configurations runs from $1,890 to $2,540, a $650 difference. The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs less to fuel than 5 of 10 small SUV configurations rated for MY2026 (class median $2,250 a year).
What the 2026 Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs to drive
Per month
$190
$2,280 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.80
Per 100 miles
$15.20
Five years
$11,400
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small SUV median
$30more a year
Class median $2,250 a year, MY2026
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2026 Subaru Forester MPG
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,280 |
| Sport/Touring | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,330 |
| Wilderness | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 24 | 28 | 26 | $2,540 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,890 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD: $3,100 in California and $1,980 in Texas, a $1,120 difference.
- California $3,100
- Washington $2,870
- New York $2,280
- Florida $2,150
- Texas $1,980
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2026 small SUV models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
How does the 2026 Subaru Forester compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2025 Subaru Forester) is rated 26–35 MPG combined and costs $1,890–$2,490 a year to fuel; the 2026 model is rated 26–35 MPG and costs $1,890–$2,540 a year.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2026 Subaru Forester at 26–35 MPG combined across 4 configurations. The most efficient, the Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD, is rated 35 MPG combined (35 city / 34 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 26–29 MPG; Hybrid: 35 MPG.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 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 $2,280 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $1,890–$2,540 a year. That is a $650 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2026 Subaru Forester 100 miles?
About $15.20 per 100 miles for the Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $12.60 and $16.93 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2026 Subaru Forester more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD is rated 26 city and 33 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2026 Subaru Forester compare with other small SUV configurations?
The Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $2,280 a year to fuel, $30 more than the class median of $2,250, and less than 5 of 10 small SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 296 rated small SUV configurations for MY2026, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2026 Subaru Forester hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD) is rated 35 MPG against 29 MPG for the best gas version (Forester 2.5L 4-cyl AWD), 6 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $1,890 versus $2,280 a year, a saving of $390.
Is the 2026 Subaru Forester different from the 2025 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 35 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,890. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2026 against 4 configurations for 2025. See the 2025 Subaru Forester for that year.