2021 Subaru Ascent MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2021 Subaru Ascent is rated 22 to 23 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.
EPA fuel economy
2021 Subaru Ascent · 2 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
23MPG combined
21 city 27 highway
$2,700 a year to fuel
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT
Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $2,850 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.
About a typical Ascent year
The 2021 drew 62 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical Ascent year.
Years to avoid: 2019 and 2020; best year: 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Ascent year rankedThe 2021 Ascent's recalls and problems
Every 2021 Ascent version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT Best
EPA listing: Ascent |
23 mpg | 21 / 27 | $2,700 |
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · Limited Touring
EPA listing: Ascent Limited/Touring |
22 mpg | 20 / 26 | $2,850 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT | $2,609 | $13,043 |
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · Limited Touring | $2,727 | $13,636 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Subaru Ascent MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 23 mpg (every year from 2019 to 2026); highest in 2019.
2021: gas 23 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Every Ascent year's ratings in one table
How the 2021 Ascent compares
2021 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2021 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
37 mpg | 26 mpg | $1,700 |
Best: hybrid |
36 mpg | 24 mpg | $1,750 |
Best: hybrid |
34 mpg | 26 mpg | $1,850 |
Best: hybrid |
30 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,600 |
Best: hybrid |
27 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
25 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 |
Best: gas |
25 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 |
Best: gas |
24 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 |
Best: gas |
24 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 |
Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 |
Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 |
Subaru Ascent This page Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 |
Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 |
Best: gas |
22 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 |
Best: gas |
22 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 |
Best: gas |
22 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
2021 Ascent recalls and complaints
Questions
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2021 Subaru Ascent version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2021 Ascent's MPG compare with the 2020?
For 2021, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.