Subaru Forester fuel consumption

The 2.5L 4cyl hybrid is cheaper to run than the 2.0L 4cyl diesel

The 2.0L 4cyl diesel is the leaner of the two at 7.4 L/100km against 7.4, but it runs on Diesel at $2.82 a litre where the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid takes ULP 91 at $2.40. Per 100 km that is $20.97 against $17.85, so the thirstier engine is about $469 a year ahead at 15,000 km.

The 2.0L 4cyl petrol and the 2.5L 4cyl petrol are rated within 0.2

8.6 and 8.9 L/100km on the road, both on ULP 91, 0.2 apart, which is about $72 a year. Sorted by what they use, the widest gap between consecutive engines in the range is the 2.5L 4cyl petrol to the 2.0L 4cyl turbo petrol: 2.3 L/100km.

11.4 in 2004, 7.4 in 2026

The leanest Subaru Forester of 2004 was rated 11.4 L/100km on the road; the leanest of 2026 is 7.4, 35% less.

3 steps got it there, each one an engine arriving:

• 2009 — 11.3 L/100km with the 2.5L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.1 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2010 — 7.7 L/100km with the 2.0L 4cyl diesel, taking 3.6 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2013 — 7.1 L/100km with the 2.0L 4cyl diesel, taking 0.6 L/100km off the previous best.

762 km on a tank, at best

The 2.0L 4cyl diesel has the longest legs of the range: 762 km from 63 litres, with a reserve kept back. That is Dubbo to Broken Hill (755 km) in one go, and Byron Bay to Sydney (765 km) with one stop.

Fuel for that drive, at today's medians: 56 litres and about $158 in the 2.0L 4cyl diesel, against 95 litres and $244 in the 2.5L 4cyl turbo petrol — $86 between them for the same trip.

Fourth leanest of 4 mid-size SUVs

At 7.4 L/100km on its best engine, the Subaru Forester sits 1.8 L/100km behind the RAV4 (5.6) and against a class median of 7.2 — about 270 litres a year between it and the leader at 15,000 km.

Every Subaru Forester engine

Lab figure plus 20%, which is OTW's adjustment. Costs use today's Australian medians: Diesel $2.82, ULP 91 $2.40, ULP 95 $2.57. Tank sizes are OTW's estimates.

Subaru Forester fuel consumption by model year

What was on offer in each year the Subaru Forester was sold, so a figure can be matched to a particular car rather than to the badge. Where a year lists several engines, both ends of that year's range are shown.

Real-world L/100km: the figure published for that engine in that year, plus 20%.

Questions

How much fuel does a Subaru Forester use?

On the road, 7.4 to 12.6 L/100km across the 7 engines sold between 2004 and 2026: 7.4 for the 2.0L 4cyl diesel, 12.6 for the 2.5L 4cyl turbo petrol. Lab figures plus 20%.

Which Subaru Forester is cheapest to run?

The 2.5L 4cyl hybrid, at $17.85 per 100 km — not the leaner 2.0L 4cyl diesel, which costs $20.97 because Diesel is $2.82 a litre against $2.40. About $469 a year apart.

Subaru Forester 2.0L 4cyl petrol or 2.5L 4cyl petrol?

Both take ULP 91 and there is no fuel difference worth having: 8.6 against 8.9 L/100km, 0.2 apart.

How far can a Subaru Forester go on a tank?

About 762 km at best — the 2.0L 4cyl diesel on its 63 litre tank, keeping a reserve. That is Dubbo to Broken Hill (755 km) without stopping, and Byron Bay to Sydney (765 km) with one stop.

Has the Subaru Forester got more economical since 2004?

Yes: 11.4 L/100km for the leanest 2004 Subaru Forester, 7.4 for the leanest in 2026 — 35% less, in 3 steps, the last in 2013.

Is the Subaru Forester economical for a mid-size SUV?

Fourth of 4 on its leanest engine: 7.4 L/100km against the RAV4's 5.6 and a class median of 7.2.

What does it cost to fill a Subaru Forester?

About $177.60 for the 2.0L 4cyl diesel's 63 litres at $2.82 a litre, $161.85 for the 2.5L 4cyl turbo petrol's 63.