2023 Subaru Outback MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2023 Subaru Outback is rated 23 to 28 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2023 Subaru Outback · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

28MPG combined

26 city 32 highway

$2,200 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,200 to $2,700 a year. Compared with 2022, the best gas version is down 1 mpg.

One of the best Outback years by owner complaints

The 2023 drew 83 owner complaints in its first three years, against 311 for a typical Outback year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.

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

Every Outback year ranked The 2023 Outback's recalls and problems

Every 2023 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	26 / 32	$2,200
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT EPA listing: Outback AWD	25 mpg	22 / 29	$2,500
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · Wilderness EPA listing: Outback Wilderness AWD	23 mpg	21 / 26	$2,700

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	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$2,400	$200	$12,000
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · Wilderness	$2,609	$217	$13,043

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.

2023: 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 2023 Outback compares

2023 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.

2023 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Kia Sportage Best: hybrid	43 mpg	28 mpg	$1,450
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	40 mpg	30 mpg	$1,550
Honda CR-V Best: hybrid	40 mpg	30 mpg	$1,550
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	39 mpg	30 mpg	$1,600
Hyundai Tucson Best: hybrid	38 mpg	28 mpg	$1,650
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Subaru Forester Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback This page Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Jeep Compass Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Mazda CX-50 Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Bronco Sport Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600

2023 Outback recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints for the 2023 Outback.

Owners most often describe a cracked windshield (18 complaints, 20%), then a shattered sunroof (6). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars for the version it has rated.

See the 2023 Outback recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2023 Subaru Outback need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2023 Subaru Outback version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2023 Outback's MPG compare with the 2022?

For 2023, the best gas version is rated 28 mpg, down 1 from 29.

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.