2011 Subaru Outback MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2011 Subaru Outback is rated 20 to 24 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2011 Subaru Outback · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

24MPG combined

21 city 28 highway

$2,800 a year to fuel

2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT

Best version costs $2,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,800 to $3,350 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2010.

Fewer complaints than a typical Outback year

The 2011 drew 113 owner complaints in its first three years, against 311 for a typical Outback year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2020; best years: 2021 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Outback year ranked The 2011 Outback's recalls and problems

Every 2011 Outback 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 Best EPA listing: Outback Wagon AWD	24 mpg	21 / 28	$2,800
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Outback Wagon AWD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$3,050
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Outback Wagon AWD	20 mpg	18 / 24	$3,350

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$2,794	$233	$13,969
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed manual	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic	$3,352	$279	$16,762

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Subaru Outback MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 24 to 29 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2020.

2011: gas 24 mpg

Show as a table

Subaru Outback best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	24
2011	24
2012	24
2013	26
2014	26
2015	28
2016	28
2017	28
2018	28
2019	28
2020	29
2021	29
2022	29
2023	28
2024	28
2025	28
2026	27

Every Outback year's ratings in one table

How the 2011 Outback compares

2011 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.

2011 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	32 mpg	25 mpg	$2,100
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Toyota RAV4 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Honda CR-V Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Subaru Outback This page Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Subaru Forester Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$3,750

2011 Outback recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 652 owner complaints for the 2011 Outback.

Owners most often describe stalling (183 complaints, 28%), then transmission failure (93). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2011 Outback recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2011 Subaru Outback need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2011 Subaru Outback version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2011 Outback's MPG compare with the 2010?

For 2011, the best gas version is rated 24 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 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.