04 Forester X Gas mileage

[Andrew J. Perrin]

We just (Dec. 03) bought a Forester 2.5X, which in general we
love. But one of the criteria we used was gas mileage -- 22/27, from
memory. That's turning out to be way off -- the last tank we got
15mpg! Any other similar experiences out there, or advice?

Thanks.

 

[George Bame]

I just rechecked the Consumer Reports rating in which they selected the
Forester as their top small SUV. They report strictly city mileage of 15,
trip mileage of 28 and combined-driving mileage of 25.

I bought a 2003 Forester X, auto trans, in June 2003. My mileage has
generally exceeded the Consumer Reports experience, at least in the city
driving. In strictly driving around town I have consistently gotten 20 - 22
mpg. Highway mileage has ranged from 27 - 30. My combined driving has
normally been in the 24 - 26 range. To help with comparison, I tend to
avoid jack rabbit starts and most of my highway driving is in the 65-75 mph
range.

I, too, love my Forester; however, 15 mpg would dull my enthusiasm a little.

George Bame
Norfolk, VA

 

[Mike G.]

What are people's experience in gas mileage with the turbo version?

I just rechecked the Consumer Reports rating in which they selected the
Forester as their top small SUV. They report strictly city mileage of 15,
trip mileage of 28 and combined-driving mileage of 25.

I bought a 2003 Forester X, auto trans, in June 2003. My mileage has
generally exceeded the Consumer Reports experience, at least in the city
driving. In strictly driving around town I have consistently gotten 20 - 22
mpg. Highway mileage has ranged from 27 - 30. My combined driving has
normally been in the 24 - 26 range. To help with comparison, I tend to
avoid jack rabbit starts and most of my highway driving is in the 65-75 mph
range.

I, too, love my Forester; however, 15 mpg would dull my enthusiasm a little.

George Bame
Norfolk, VA

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester has met or exceeded the EPA estimates 22/27 mpg. I of
course can lower the gas mileage if I put my foot in it constantly by
shifting at 3000 + rpms. O-yes I have an automatic transmission. eddie

What are people's experience in gas mileage with the turbo version?

I just rechecked the Consumer Reports rating in which they selected the
Forester as their top small SUV. They report strictly city mileage of 15,
trip mileage of 28 and combined-driving mileage of 25.

I bought a 2003 Forester X, auto trans, in June 2003. My mileage has
generally exceeded the Consumer Reports experience, at least in the city
driving. In strictly driving around town I have consistently gotten

20 -
22

 

[Hal Whelply]

I just completed a 922-mile trip this past week. Mileage was 21.5 MPG, but
mostly consisting of highway driving at 75-85 MPH, with quite a bit on the
higher side of that range. At that speed the engine's turning an indicated
3250-3350 (maybe slightly more) RPM. The XT final drive ratio is higher than
the non-turbo models (4.44 vs. 4.11, if memory serves), which makes for
quick takeoffs at traffic lights, but you pay for it on the highway. Seems
to me another factor is the relatively high profile of the Forester. Small
SUV it may be, but it's a lot taller than our Volvo S60. Pushing all that
air aside takes its toll.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I was/am considering an XT but am disappointed that Subaru did not keep a
lower ratio 4 gear in the AT. I would prefer the same first three ratios for
off the line performance but, a longer legged 4th gear for highway cruising
of which I do allot. Most other manufactures keep the same to gear ratios
for their turbo versions and get only slightly less mpg for highway
cruising. Subaru needs a 5 gear AT or change the 4th gear ratio. With the
15-20 poorer mileage AND premium fuel it makes the XT an expensive
proposition for I do ~75% highway cruising at 70-75 mph. Hopefully that will
change when I'm ready in about 2006. eddie

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester S gives me ~27-28 mpg when cruising level ground at ~70-75
mph on cruise control. eddie

 

[Hal Whelply]

I get 17-18 MPG around town, which isn't too bad considering the Accord V-6
that my XT replaced got 18, albeit on regular rather than premium fuel.
Further, I suspect that driving a more moderate 65-70 MPH on trips would get
something more like 23-24 MPG.

 

[Archie]

We just (Dec. 03) bought a Forester 2.5X, which in general we
love. But one of the criteria we used was gas mileage -- 22/27, from
memory. That's turning out to be way off -- the last tank we got
15mpg! Any other similar experiences out there, or advice?

Thanks.

I bought an '03 Forester XS manual transmission in May of last year.
I've tracked just about every mile in terms of gas mileage. My
experience has been that the Forester is a fuel efficient car.

I live in Rockland County, New York, USA. It's my only car so I drive
it on the highway, around town, everywhere. I've gotten as good as 31
MPG on a nice road trip to the Catskill Mountains, and as little as 21
MPG during a recent winter storm with the heat blasting, not getting
out of third gear, etc. It's averaged 26 MPG over the life of the car
so far. YMMV.

The gas mileage you get during the break in period may not be a good
indicator of the overall fuel efficiency of the car.

 

[Goose66]

We just (Dec. 03) bought a Forester 2.5X, which in general we
love. But one of the criteria we used was gas mileage -- 22/27, from
memory. That's turning out to be way off -- the last tank we got
15mpg! Any other similar experiences out there, or advice?

Thanks.


--

We are getting figures of 23/28 here in Western Australia, that's the manual
version with the aircon on pretty much constantly this time of year
Bert

 

[Orienteer]

"> We are getting figures of 23/28 here in Western Australia, that's the
manual

version with the aircon on pretty much constantly this time of year
Bert

But they are imperial gallons aren't they? About 20% bigger than US gallons.

Subaru are offering a 5-speed auto in the top new Legacies, I expect that'll
filter down to the Forester eventually.

 

[Goose66]

"> We are getting figures of 23/28 here in Western Australia, that's the
manual
But they are imperial gallons aren't they? About 20% bigger than US gallons.

Subaru are offering a 5-speed auto in the top new Legacies, I expect that'll
filter down to the Forester eventually.

I converted from l/100km to US gallons.

 

[howard42]

Bought a Forester XS in January '04, it's automatic and my gas mileage has
been below the EPA projections but in the 20-25 range. Car has 6000 miles
on it. My trip mileage (25) reflects driving 65-75 with a ski rack.
Usually my mileage is 21-22 for every day driving.

 

[samiam_68]

Edmunds.com did a long term test of the Forester XS, and their overall
aerage was about 21.x MPG. I have an XT, and it averages about 21, but it's
a turbo, so the engine is different. BTW, do you hate your automatic
climate control? Check this out:
http://www.geocities.com/samiam_68/SubaruCCS/SSC_Fix.htm

Bought a Forester XS in January '04, it's automatic and my gas mileage has
been below the EPA projections but in the 20-25 range. Car has 6000 miles
on it. My trip mileage (25) reflects driving 65-75 with a ski rack.
Usually my mileage is 21-22 for every day driving.

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester S gets about 21-22 in suburban driving and 27-28 on highway
trips at 70 mph on cruse. I of course can destroy the averages if I drive
aggressively. ed

Edmunds.com did a long term test of the Forester XS, and their overall
aerage was about 21.x MPG. I have an XT, and it averages about 21, but it's
a turbo, so the engine is different. BTW, do you hate your automatic
climate control? Check this out:
http://www.geocities.com/samiam_68/SubaruCCS/SSC_Fix.htm

 

[George Bame]

I just returned from a mile trip, almost all interstate, in my 2003 Forester
X, auto. Outbound, I pushed it a little and averaged 27.8 mpg. On the
return I kept the cruise control on a steady 70 with an occasional boost to
get past a semi. Return mileage was 30.0. This has been tuypical for the
10+ months that I've owned it (now at 15,800 on the odometer).

George Bame
Norfolk, VA