2023 Subaru Forester AWDFuel Economy & MPG Ratings

Gasoline Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAll-Wheel Drive
2023 Subaru Forester AWD

Photo: Highway Patrol Images. CC BY 2.0. via Wikimedia Commons

City
26
MPG
Highway
33
MPG
Combined
29
MPG

Real-World MPG

Based on 4 owner reports via EPA fueleconomy.gov

28.8MPG average-0.7% vs EPA label
EPA combined: 29 MPG · Owner reported avg: 28.8 MPG

Range: 26–31 MPG

Driving mix: City 35% / Highway 65%

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov “Your MPG” owner submissions. Real-world results vary by driver behavior, conditions, and equipment.

Owner reported MPG for this vehicle averages 28.8 real world MPG based on 4 owner reports. EPA combined rating is 29 MPG.

Trim Comparison

Automatic (AV-S7)
Regular
City
26
Hwy
33
Comb
29
Fuel cost: $2,350/yr
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,350

Based on gasoline at $3.67/gal, 15,000 miles/year

5-Year Fuel Savings
$250

vs. average new vehicle

EPA Fuel Economy Score: 6/10
GHG Score: 6/10

Environment

CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
310 g/mile
Annual Petroleum Consumption
10.3 barrels

Specifications

Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmission
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
Body Style
SUV/Crossover
GVWR
Class 1 (≤6,000 lbs)

Source: EPA fuel economy data & NHTSA vPIC. Specifications reflect the most common trim configuration.

Engine & Efficiency Details

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Engine Size
2.5L, 4-cylinder
Induction Type
Direct Injection
Efficiency Tech
Auto Start-Stop
Fuel Type
Regular Gasoline

Annual Fuel Cost by State

Prices as of week ending May 18, 2026 · Source: EIA

National AvgEPA default
$4.490/gal$2,322/yr
California
$5.957/gal$3,081/yr
Texas
$3.888/gal$2,011/yr
Florida
$4.136/gal$2,139/yr
New York
$4.522/gal$2,339/yr
Ohio
$4.510/gal$2,333/yr
Washington
$5.591/gal$2,892/yr
Colorado
$4.618/gal$2,389/yr
Minnesota
$4.344/gal$2,247/yr
Massachusetts
$4.448/gal$2,301/yr

Calculated at 15,000 miles/year (EPA standard assumption) using 29 MPG combined. Regular gasoline prices. Actual costs vary.

NHTSA Safety Ratings

Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov)
Overall Safety Rating
5/5
2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD

Crash Test Scores

Front Crash — Overall
Front Crash — Driver Side
Front Crash — Passenger Side
Side Crash — Overall
Side Crash — Driver Side
Side Crash — Passenger Side
Side Pole Crash
Rollover
Rollover Probability16.9%

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
68
Owner Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations

Recall History1

Source: NHTSA

Owner-Reported Problems68 complaints

Source: NHTSA

NHTSA has received 68 owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester AWD. Top reported issues include advanced safety (adas), visibility / wipers and electrical system. The data below is sourced from consumer complaints filed directly with NHTSA.

Problems by System / Component

Advanced Safety (ADAS)
16
Visibility / Wipers
12
Electrical System
7
Air Bags
6
Engine
5
Speed Control
5
Lighting
4
Brakes
3

2023 Subaru Forester AWD problems by category: Advanced Safety (ADAS): 16 complaints, Visibility / Wipers: 12 complaints, Electrical System: 7 complaints, Air Bags: 6 complaints, Engine: 5 complaints, Speed Control: 5 complaints, Lighting: 4 complaints, Brakes: 3 complaints.

10
Crashes Reported
6
Fires Reported
6
Injuries Reported

Sample Owner Complaints

Electrical SystemFiled: 04/11/2026ODI#11730548
This vehicle has died 4 times in one week. when this happens, multiple lights have flashed in the dash board, including the "eye sight" warning. Then, it would not restart but continued to "turn over"…
Advanced Safety (ADAS)Filed: 01/21/2025ODI#11637451
On January 3, 2024, my Subaru forester suddenly lost emergency safety features such as the blind spot warning system. Many warning messages flashed on the screen as I drove north on rt 1 and the blin…
Visibility / WipersFiled: 09/19/2023ODI#11545366
I believe Subaru STILL has issues I've found when researching them before I bought my vehicle, about weak windshields. I purchased a new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness just a little over a week ago…

Complaint data is sourced from the NHTSA Complaints Database. Reports are filed by vehicle owners and may not reflect confirmed defects. Last updated via NHTSA API.

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