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Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Subaru Forester is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,890 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Forester Hybrid, 35 MPG combined), against $2,050 for the Nissan Rogue (Rogue, 32 MPG combined). That is $160 a year, or $800 over five years.

Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Gas
  • Small SUVs

Nissan Rogue

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Rogue

32 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,050

$13.67 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Subaru Forester

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Forester Hybrid

35 MPG
Combined
35 MPG
City
34 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,890

$12.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Nissan Rogue$2,050 a year · $13.67 per 100 mi
  • Subaru Forester$1,890 a year · $12.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$160

Subaru Forester costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$800

$160 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Nissan Rogue Subaru Forester
Lowest-cost configuration RogueForester Hybrid
Powertrain GasHybrid
Combined rating 32 MPG35 MPG (better)
City rating 29 MPG35 MPG (better)
Highway rating 36 MPG (better)34 MPG
Annual fuel cost $2,050/yr$1,890/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $13.67$12.60 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,050–$2,250$1,890–$2,540
Configurations in MY2026 34
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester
Powertrain Nissan Rogue Subaru Forester
Gas 32 MPG · $2,050/yr Rogue 29 MPG · $2,280/yr Forester
Hybrid Not offered in MY2026 35 MPG · $1,890/yr Forester Hybrid

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Nissan Rogue

  • Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,050 vs $2,280

Subaru Forester

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,890 vs $2,050
  • Higher combined rating: 35 MPG vs 32 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 35 MPG vs 29 MPG
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Nissan Rogue does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester
Model year Nissan Rogue Subaru Forester
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 29–32 MPG $2,050–$2,250 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,540
2025 29–33 MPG $1,980–$2,220 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,490
2024 31–33 MPG $1,980–$2,110 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2023 31–33 MPG $1,960–$2,110 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2022 31–33 MPG $1,960–$2,110 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2021 28–33 MPG $1,960–$2,330 29 MPG $2,280
2020 27–29 MPG $2,290–$2,380 29 MPG $2,280
2019 27–34 MPG $1,900–$2,380 29 MPG $2,280
2018 27–34 MPG $1,900–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2017 27–34 MPG $1,900–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2016 27–28 MPG $2,310–$2,390 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2015 24–28 MPG $2,320–$2,770 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2014 24–28 MPG $2,330–$2,730 24–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2013 24–25 MPG $2,630–$2,760 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2012 23–25 MPG $2,630–$2,790 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2011 24 MPG $2,670–$2,760 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2010 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2009 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2008 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Nissan Rogue or the Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester is cheaper: about $1,890 a year against $2,050 for the Nissan Rogue, a difference of $160 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Subaru Forester save over five years?

About $800 ($160 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Nissan Rogue or the Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester is rated 35 MPG combined against 32 MPG for the Nissan Rogue. City: 29 MPG vs 35 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Forester in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles