- Newest year: 2017
- Gas
- Midsize cars
2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 22–29 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2017. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback at a glance
The 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback covers 3 model years in the EPA database (12 configurations in all), rated 22–29 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2017, costs about $2,290 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD (29 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2016 and 2017.
2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback by model year
What the 2017 Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs to drive
Per month
$191
$2,290 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.82
Per 100 miles
$15.27
Five years
$11,450
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$620less a year
Class median $2,910 a year, MY2017
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,220 to $2,290, $70 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 25 | 34 | 29 | $2,290 |
| Outback 2.5L 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,350 |
| Legacy 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Outback 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,930 |
2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
22–29 MPG · $2,220–$2,930/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,220.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,220 |
| Outback 2.5L 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,350 |
| Legacy 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Outback 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,930 |
2015 Subaru Legacy/Outback MPG
22–29 MPG · $2,220–$2,930/yr
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,220 |
| Outback 2.5L 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,350 |
| Legacy 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Outback 3.6L 6-cyl | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,930 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD: $3,120 in California and $2,000 in Texas, a $1,120 difference.
- California $3,120
- Washington $2,890
- New York $2,290
- Florida $2,170
- Texas $2,000
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2017 midsize 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 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates the 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback at 22–29 MPG combined across 12 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2017 Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD, is rated 29 MPG (25 city, 34 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Every model year of the 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback tops out at 29 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2016 and 2017.
How does the 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2010-2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback) is rated 20–27 MPG combined and costs $2,430–$3,900 a year to fuel; the 2015-2017 model is rated 22–29 MPG and costs $2,220–$2,930 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $2,290 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,290–$2,930 a year. That is a $640 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback 100 miles?
About $15.27 per 100 miles for the Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.27 and $19.53 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD is rated 25 city and 34 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.
How does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $2,290 a year to fuel, $620 less than the class median of $2,910, and less than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 180 rated midsize car configurations for MY2017, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback different from the 2016 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,220 to $2,290, $70 more. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2017 against 4 configurations for 2016. See the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback for that year.