2020 Subaru Outback MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2020 Subaru Outback is rated 26 to 29 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT.
EPA fuel economy
2020 Subaru Outback · 2 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
29MPG combined
26 city 33 highway
$2,250 a year to fuel
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT
Best version saves $250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,250 to $2,500 a year. Compared with 2019, the best gas version is up 1 mpg.
Every 2020 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 |
29 mpg | 26 / 33 | $2,250 |
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT
EPA listing: Outback AWD |
26 mpg | 23 / 30 | $2,500 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT | $2,234 | $11,172 |
2.4L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · CVT | $2,492 | $12,462 |
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: 27 to 29 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2026); highest in 2020.
2020: gas 29 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 27 |
How the 2020 Outback compares
2020 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.
| 2020 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
41 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,600 |
Best: hybrid |
40 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,600 |
Best: hybrid |
38 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,700 |
Best: gas |
29 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,250 |
Subaru Outback This page Best: gas |
29 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,250 |
Best: gas |
28 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
28 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
25 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,600 |
2020 Outback recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 897 owner complaints for the 2020 Outback.What they cover, and crash test ratingsQuestions
Does the 2020 Subaru Outback need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2020 Subaru Outback version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2020 Outback's MPG compare with the 2019?
For 2020, the best gas version is rated 29 mpg, up 1 from 28.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 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.