2015 Subaru Outback MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2015 Subaru Outback is rated 22 to 28 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2015 Subaru Outback · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

28MPG combined

25 city 32 highway

$2,400 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT

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 $2,400 to $3,050 a year. Compared with 2014, the best gas version is up 2 mpg.

Fewer complaints than a typical Outback year

The 2015 drew 220 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 2015 Outback's recalls and problems

Every 2015 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 AWD	28 mpg	25 / 32	$2,400
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · CVT EPA listing: Outback AWD	22 mpg	20 / 27	$3,050

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	$2,395	$200	$11,973
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · CVT	$3,048	$254	$15,239

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.

2015: gas 28 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 2015 Outback compares

2015 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.

2015 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,400
Subaru Outback This page Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,400
Subaru Forester Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,500
Toyota RAV4 Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Ford Escape 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
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,550

2015 Outback recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 510 owner complaints for the 2015 Outback.

Owners most often describe a cracked windshield (126 complaints, 25%), then a dead battery (53). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2015 Outback recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2015 Subaru Outback need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2015 Subaru Outback version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2015 Outback's MPG compare with the 2014?

For 2015, the best gas version is rated 28 mpg, up 2 from 26.

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.