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Subaru Legacy/Outback: MPG-Real World Numbers

130 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2012 at 4:49 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 14

#22 of 130 1990 Subaru Legacy: 26 city (estimate)/ 30 highway by mikela78

Sep 18, 2006 (12:35 pm)

I just passed 200000 miles in my 1990 Subaru Legacy L wagon (EJ-22 2.2 liter engine, manual transmission) and I'm surprised that it still compares favorably to more up-to-date models. Last week I took a trip from near Seattle to Las Vegas, then to Los Angeles and back to the Seattle area. I averaged 28.9 MPG over 3000 miles (90% highway, 10% city/suburban). I regularly get just over 30 MPG on reasonably flat streches of interstate going about 75 to 80 MPH. This in a car the EPA rated 22 city/27 highway. I don't think I've ever had fuel economy as low as 22 MPG around town. All my measurements have been corrected for speedometer/odometer inaccuracy (in my case 3.7%) and my tires were at about 32 PSI cold, 35 PSI warm.I don't know why anyone would need a larger engine than this if they're not towing something. I have no problem passing semis in Nevada at 90+ MPH, and I can keep up with the BMWs on Kanan Road in Malibu (though I'm pushing the engine to 5000 RPM).

#23 of 130 Gas Mileage by bobny57

Sep 18, 2006 (1:07 pm)

My 2005 Subaru Outback XT wagon now has 15,600 miles as it fast approaches its second birthday. My gas mileage ranges from 25mpg on pure highway trips going 65-70 mph to a low of 12 mpg on short trips around town. The blended mpg of typical suburban driving is about 16 mpg. I drive very conservatively trying to max out my mileage with 93 octane gas recently well above $3 here on Long Island.

#24 of 130 Re: 1990 Subaru Legacy: 26 city (estimate)/ 30 highway [mikela78] by ateixeira

Sep 18, 2006 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: mikela78 (Sep 18, 2006 12:35 pm)
The engines have more power and push around a lot more weight, so that has offset any gains in efficiency.
 
Plus, the EJ22 was an engine before its time!
 
-juice

#25 of 130 Re: Gas Mileage [bobny57] by tdennen

Sep 28, 2006 (8:09 am)

Replying to: bobny57 (Sep 18, 2006 1:07 pm)
I also have a 05 legacy outback XT. With 9K on the engine I routinely get between 25 to 27 mpg at 70 MPH with about 1.5 mpg less with the AC on. In the Boston area there's not such thing as flat terrain. In the city I get between 18 and 21 depending on the temperature. When it’s lower than 32 deg F, MPG drops about 2 mpg. If your only getting 12 MPG you either must be idling at a lot of traffic lights or you have a heavy foot. Agree with the turbo it’s easy to suck up gas if not careful.

#26 of 130 Re: Recent MPG, 2006 Legacy SE wagon 4EAT [mpansare1] by mpansare1

Oct 22, 2006 (4:37 am)

Replying to: mpansare1 (Aug 23, 2006 2:30 pm)
UPDATE: Odometer 3000 miles now. 'Realistic' mileage with 83 regular, same mix of 60/40 hwy/city yields 26-28 mpg depending on city driving conditions (red lights, idling, etc. and no lead foot). One highway trip of 400 miles 70-75 mph yielded 31 mpg with 2 passengers and reasonable (approx 80 lbs)luggage. Trip computer consistently wrong - indicates 1-1.5 mpg higher average. Still very happy with performance and handling.

#27 of 130 Re: Recent MPG, 2006 Legacy SE wagon 4EAT [mpansare1] by ateixeira

Oct 23, 2006 (8:57 am)

Replying to: mpansare1 (Oct 22, 2006 4:37 am)
That's incredible, glad to hear it.
 
My '98 Forester has actually been doing better than average, I'm getting 27mpg pretty consistently. I have taken a lot of road trips lately so a lot of that is highway miles.
 
-juice

#28 of 130 Re: Recent MPG, 2006 Legacy SE wagon 4EAT [ateixeira] by mpansare1

Oct 24, 2006 (5:51 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 23, 2006 8:57 am)
Thanks juice. One thing that we (as drivers) consistently fail to realize is the 'power' of ethanol as an additive (or rather, the reduced efficiency due to it and hence lower mileage). Studies have shown that ethanol consistently gives lower mileage in the same vehicle (as much as 10-15%, if not more). Pretty much everywhere you go, gas stations these days have a fuel blend consisting of 10% ethanol. Most car manufacturers still provide sticker EPA ratings that are unrealistic and done in 'ideal' conditions 55 mph etc. with archaic testing standards and guidelines. Ethanol additive is not being factored into these ratings. I'm not surprised that as a result, we'll continue to see lower real world averages.....I would say factoring the ethanol additive in, probably by 3-5%. Again, my guess is unscientific, so have at it.....

#29 of 130 Recent MPG - '02 Bean by blackbean

Oct 26, 2006 (9:41 am)

I am consistently getting 23-24 MPG with my H-6 wagon. Bridgestone RE950 tires and 62k on the odometer. I drive 60% back roads, 20% town/city and 20% highway.

#30 of 130 RE: Real world gas milage '04 H-4 OBW auto by joelog

Nov 30, 2006 (5:28 pm)

After calculating actual miles and gas used here are my results: 51,832mi and 2,208.05 gal regular gas = 23.47mpg avg
Best mileage was 31.05 on non-stop trip from Gettysburg to Long Island, NY with cruise control set at 65mph. I live on LI and travel daily mixed highway and city with multiple stops. Worst mileage was 19mpg.
 

#31 of 130 Re: Recent MPG, 2006 Legacy SE wagon 4EAT [mpansare1] by mpansare1

Apr 02, 2007 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: mpansare1 (Oct 22, 2006 4:37 am)
FINAL UPDATE: Odometer 9000 miles now. Same 60/40 hwy/city drive mix yielded 25 mpg average in winter (mileage went down, to be expected). Now since temps have started ticking up (in the 60s-70s) I'm averaging 26-28 again. Strictly highway still yields between 30-31 mpg. As usual, trip computer is consistently wrong (by +1 to +1.5 mpg). So far I'm very happy with the car - 2 icy winter trips provided rock steady handling. Will be sorry to see the Legacy wgn discontinued for 2008.
 
Oh well, hopefully they will re-style the Outback over the next few years....more rear leg room, perhaps? Auto up window, perhaps? Retained accessory power, perhaps? Better stock stereo, perhaps? These little 'omitted' design elements are minor annoyances, but really necessary considering most other cars now offer them as standard.

Messages Page 4 of 14

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