Subaru Forester vs Subaru Crosstrek: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Subaru Crosstrek is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,800 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Crosstrek Hybrid, 36 MPG combined), against $1,890 for the Subaru Forester (Forester Hybrid, 35 MPG combined). That is $90 a year, or $450 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. 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.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Subaru Forester
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Forester Hybrid
$12.60 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Crosstrek Hybrid
$12.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Subaru Forester$1,890 a year · $12.60 per 100 mi
- Subaru Crosstrek$1,800 a year · $12.00 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$90
Subaru Crosstrek costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$450
$90 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Subaru Forester | Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Forester Hybrid | Crosstrek Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 35 MPG | 36 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 35 MPG | 36 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 34 MPG | 36 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,890/yr | $1,800/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $12.60 | $12.00 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,890–$2,540 | $1,800–$2,480 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 4 | 3 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Subaru Forester | Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 29 MPG · $2,280/yr Forester | 29 MPG · $2,250/yr Crosstrek |
| Hybrid | 35 MPG · $1,890/yr Forester Hybrid | 36 MPG · $1,800/yr Crosstrek 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.
Subaru Forester
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Subaru Crosstrek
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,800 vs $1,890
- Higher combined rating: 36 MPG vs 35 MPG
- Higher city rating: 36 MPG vs 35 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,250 vs $2,280
Year by year
| Model year | Subaru Forester | Subaru Crosstrek | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–35 MPG | $1,890–$2,540 | 26–36 MPG | $1,800–$2,480 |
| 2025 | 26–35 MPG | $1,890–$2,490 | 27–29 MPG | $2,220–$2,420 |
| 2024 | 26–29 MPG | $2,280–$2,490 | 27–29 MPG | $2,220–$2,420 |
| 2023 | 26–29 MPG | $2,280–$2,490 | 25–35 MPG | $1,520–$2,620 |
| 2022 | 26–29 MPG | $2,280–$2,490 | 25–30 MPG | $2,180–$2,620 |
| 2021 | 29 MPG | $2,280 | 25–35 MPG | $1,520–$2,620 |
| 2020 | 29 MPG | $2,280 | 25–35 MPG | $1,520–$2,620 |
| 2019 | 29 MPG | $2,280 | 25–35 MPG | $1,520–$2,600 |
| 2018 | 24–28 MPG | $2,320–$3,250 | 25–29 MPG | $2,240–$2,600 |
| 2017 | 24–28 MPG | $2,320–$3,250 | 26–29 MPG | $2,290–$2,550 |
| 2016 | 25–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,550 |
| 2015 | 25–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,550 |
| 2014 | 24–27 MPG | $2,430–$3,250 | 25–30 MPG | $2,160–$2,570 |
| 2013 | 21–23 MPG | $2,830–$3,880 | 25–28 MPG | $2,360–$2,570 |
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 Subaru Forester or the Subaru Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek is cheaper: about $1,800 a year against $1,890 for the Subaru Forester, a difference of $90 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 Crosstrek save over five years?
About $450 ($90 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 Subaru Forester or the Subaru Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek is rated 36 MPG combined against 35 MPG for the Subaru Forester. City: 35 MPG vs 36 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 36 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 Subaru Forester and the Subaru Crosstrek in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Subaru Forester: ratings, trims and every model year
- Subaru Crosstrek: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Subaru Forester: all configurations
- 2026 Subaru Crosstrek: all configurations
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