2025 Subaru Outback: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2025 Subaru Outback gets 23 to 28 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) at 28 mpg.
The EPA figures for 2025 are the same as for 2024; the safety records below are for 2025.
How the Outback ranks in its class
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2025, the Outback ranks 23rd (tied with 7 others) of 76 for combined mileage (28 mpg), 19th (tied with 3 others) of 75 for yearly fuel cost ($2,200 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 26th of 76 for tailpipe CO2 (314 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 26 mpg, costs $2,600 a year and puts out 339 grams per mile.
Across all 250 2025 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 25 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 249 other models, 78 get more miles per gallon than the 2025 Outback's best version, 11 other models get the same and 160 get less. The 2025 Outback's cheapest version costs $2,200 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 241 other models with a cost figure, 55 cost less, 2 the same and 184 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 23 to 31 of 76)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2025. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 2025 Hyundai Kona | 2025 Kona AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #2 | 28 | $2,200 | 319 |
| 23 | 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 2025 CX-5 4WD #2 | 28 | $2,200 | 321 |
| 23 | 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class | 2025 GLA250 4matic | 28 | $2,750 | 315 |
| 23 | 2025 Subaru OutbackThis car | 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) | 28 | $2,200 | 314 |
| 23 | 2025 Volkswagen Taos | 2025 Taos 4motion | 28 | $2,200 | 318 |
| 23 | 2025 Volvo XC60 | 2025 XC60 T8 AWD | 28 | $3,000 | 122 |
| 31 | 2025 Buick Encore | 2025 Encore GX AWD | 27 | $2,300 | 339 |
Your fuel cost
Pick a 2025 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L), 4-cyl 2.5 L: 26 mpg city, 32 highway, 28 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2025 Outback version is $2,200 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2025, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Outback costs $541 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Outback costs $2,705 less to fuel than the X1 (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
- 2025 BMW X1
- 2025 BMW X2
- 2025 Hyundai Kona
The Outback against its nearest rivals
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2025 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Outback (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Outback | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 BMW X1 | 2025 X1 xDrive28i | 28 mpg | $2,750 | same figure | $550 more a year | - |
| 2025 BMW X2 | 2025 X2 xDrive28i | 28 mpg | $2,750 | same figure | $550 more a year | - |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 2025 Kona AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #2 | 28 mpg | $2,200 | same figure | same | Compare |
Every version of the 2025 Subaru Outback
EPA test figures for 2025; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,200 | 314 | cheapest |
| 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.4 L) | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,500 | 356 | +$300 |
| 2025 Outback Wilderness AWD | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 378 | +$500 |
Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2025 version pay back?
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2025 Outback; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) puts out 314 grams per mile; across the 3 tested versions the figure runs from 314 to 378.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L): fuel economy score 6 (5 to 6 across versions), greenhouse gas score 6 (5 to 6 across versions).
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the Outback gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2025 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 28 mpg | 2 | same as 2025 | |
| 2019 | 28 mpg | 2 | same as 2025 | |
| 2020 | 29 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2021 | 29 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2022 | 29 mpg | 3 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2023 | 28 mpg | 3 | same as 2025 | |
| 2024 | 28 mpg | 3 | same as 2025 | |
| 2025This page | 28 mpg | 3 | this page | |
| 2026 | 27 mpg | 3 | 1 mpg lower than 2025 |
Compared with the 2024 model: 3 versions were tested then and 3 now; the best figure went from 28 to 28 mpg (no change).
The 2026 model has 3 tested versions.
| Version in 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L), 4-cyl 2.5 L | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | no change |
| 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.4 L), 4-cyl 2.4 L | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | no change |
| 2025 Outback Wilderness AWD, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2025
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Outback SW AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness SW AWD | not rated | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | not rated |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 84 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: OUTBACK, OUTBACK WILDERNESS.
Owner complaints, 2025
84 complaints for the 2025 Subaru Outback are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 22 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 | |
| Lane Departure | 15 | |
| Electrical System | 13 | |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
5 of the 84 reports say the car was in a crash, 2 mention a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: OUTBACK, OUTBACK WILDERNESS.
Safety recalls
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2025 Subaru Outback (as OUTBACK, OUTBACK WILDERNESS). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no recalls for the 2025 Subaru Outback on 2026-11-14. Recalls can be added later; check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Includes agency records filed under: OUTBACK, OUTBACK WILDERNESS.
More Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD for 2025
Other 2025 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Outback itself is at 28 mpg.
Other Subaru models of 2025
More Subaru models that have a 2025 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
Common questions
Which 2025 Subaru Outback gets the best mileage?
The 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) with 28 mpg combined (26 city, 32 highway).
How much does a 2025 Subaru Outback cost to fuel for a year?
The 2025 Subaru Outback costs between $2,200 and $2,700 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2025 Outback AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) at $2,200; the dearest is the 2025 Outback Wilderness AWD at $2,700. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
How does the 2025 Subaru Outback rank among 2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD models?
The 2025 Subaru Outback is 23rd of 76 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2025 Kia Sportage at 43 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 26 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class at 28 mpg and the next one behind is the 2025 Volkswagen Taos at 28 mpg.
Did the Outback change from 2024 to 2025?
The 2024 model had 3 tested versions and the 2025 model has 3. The best figure went from 28 to 28 mpg (no change).
How did the 2025 Subaru Outback do in crash tests?
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2025 Subaru Outback SW AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4; 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness SW AWD: front 5, side 5. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
Do owners complain about the 2025 Subaru Outback?
84 complaints for the 2025 Subaru Outback are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Forward Collision Avoidance (22 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
Does the 2025 Subaru Outback have recalls?
The agency's database returned no recalls for the 2025 Subaru Outback on 2026-11-14 (its model list has this car). Check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2025 Subaru Outback: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2025 Subaru Outback: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2025 Subaru Outback: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2025 Subaru Outback: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2025 Subaru Outback: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.