- Newest year: 2004
- Gas
- Small cars
2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 19–22 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 small car configurations, MY2004. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback at a glance
The 2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback covers 5 model years in the EPA database (31 configurations in all), rated 19–22 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2004, costs about $3,110 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD (21 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The best combined rating in the generation, 22 MPG, was reached in 2003.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gas | 19–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,230 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$4,230 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 20–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 20–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2000 | Gas | 21 MPG | $3,110 | First year |
What the 2004 Legacy/Outback 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 small car median
$540less a year
Class median $3,650 a year, MY2004
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
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 moves from 22 to 21 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $3,110, $140 more.
Gas configurations (8)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Legacy/Outback 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Wagon 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 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).
2003 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
19–22 MPG · $2,970–$4,230/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 22 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,970, $140 less.
Gas configurations (8)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic (S4) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy/Outback 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Wagon 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 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).
2002 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
20–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy (incl. Outback) 2.5L 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon (incl. Outback) 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon (incl. Outback) 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy (incl. Outback) 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| Legacy Wagon (incl. Outback) 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 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).
2001 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
20–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon 3.0L 6-cyl | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,020 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2000 Subaru Legacy/Outback 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 (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Legacy Wagon 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 Legacy/Outback 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 MY2004 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2004 (3rd gen)
- 2005-2009 (4th gen)
- 2010-2014 (5th gen)
- 2015-2017 (6th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates the 2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback at 19–22 MPG combined across 31 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD, is rated 22 MPG (19 city, 26 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
The Wagon 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD reached the generation's best combined rating, 22 MPG, in 2003. The lowest top rating, 21 MPG, was in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $3,110 a year. Across all 8 configurations the cost runs $3,110–$4,230 a year. That is a $1,120 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback 100 miles?
About $20.73 per 100 miles for the Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $20.73 and $28.20 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Legacy/Outback 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 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback compare with other small car configurations?
The Legacy/Outback 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD costs about $3,110 a year to fuel, $540 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 6 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 356 rated small car configurations for MY2004, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2004 Subaru Legacy/Outback different from the 2003 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 21 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $3,110, $140 more. EPA lists 8 configurations for 2004 against 8 configurations for 2003. See the 2003 Subaru Legacy/Outback for that year.