2019 Subaru Forester MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2019 Subaru Forester is rated 29 mpg combined in the one gas version EPA tested.
EPA fuel economy
2019 Subaru Forester · 1 EPA-tested versionEPA rating
29MPG combined
26 city 33 highway
$2,150 a year to fuel
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT
Best version saves $250 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 about $2,150 a year. Compared with 2018, the best gas version is up 1 mpg.
One of the Forester years to avoid
The 2019 drew 525 owner complaints in its first three years, against 164 for a typical Forester year: 3.2 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2019 and 2020; best years: 2016, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Forester year rankedThe 2019 Forester's recalls and problems
Every 2019 Forester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT
EPA listing: Forester AWD |
29 mpg | 26 / 33 | $2,150 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT | $2,069 | $10,345 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Subaru Forester MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 29 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 29 since 2019. Hybrid: 35 mpg (2025 to 2026).
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2019: gas 29 mpg · hybrid not offeredTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid version |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 22 | – |
| 2011 | 23 | – |
| 2012 | 23 | – |
| 2013 | 23 | – |
| 2014 | 27 | – |
| 2015 | 27 | – |
| 2016 | 27 | – |
| 2017 | 28 | – |
| 2018 | 28 | – |
| 2019 | 29 | – |
| 2020 | 29 | – |
| 2021 | 29 | – |
| 2022 | 29 | – |
| 2023 | 29 | – |
| 2024 | 29 | – |
| 2025 | 29 | 35 |
| 2026 | 29 | 35 |
Every Forester year's ratings in one table
How the 2019 Forester compares
2019 compact 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.
| 2019 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
40 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,550 |
Best: hybrid |
34 mpg | 29 mpg | $1,850 |
Best: diesel |
32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Best: diesel |
32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Best: gas |
30 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 |
Best: diesel |
29 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Subaru Forester This page Best: gas |
29 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 |
Best: gas |
28 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
25 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 |
Best: gas |
25 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 |
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2019 Forester recalls and complaints
Questions
Does the 2019 Subaru Forester need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2019 Subaru Forester version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2019 Forester's MPG compare with the 2018?
For 2019, the best gas version is rated 29 mpg, up 1 from 28.
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.