2024 Subaru Performance & Efficiency Overview
Subaru vehicles have long balanced capability, daily usability, and all-weather confidence through Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engine design. For 2024, the lineup continues to emphasize real-world performance that matters on the road and responsible efficiency that supports daily life without sacrificing capability.
This page lays out how performance and efficiency show up across key Subaru models, what those numbers mean in context, and the trade-offs you should expect between power, consumption, and utility.
Power, Torque, and What They Feel Like
Each Subaru model approaches performance with a distinct purpose—from spirited handling to everyday torque and towing capacity.
Subaru Outback
The 2024 Outback offers two engine paths:
2.5-liter naturally aspirated BOXER engine — about 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, providing balanced acceleration and everyday usability.
2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine — about 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, giving stronger mid-range response for overtaking or towing.
Outback’s power choices reflect Subaru’s commitment to usable strength rather than headline horsepower. Even the base engine is tuned for responsive throttle with AWD traction in variable conditions.
Subaru Crosstrek
Crosstrek presents multiple engine options:
Standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder (~152 hp) as the base choice, designed for steady efficiency.
Available 2.5-liter BOXER engine (~182 hp) for trims that want a bit more confidence on highways or light trails.
This range lets buyers prioritize what matters most—efficiency or a livelier feel—without leaving AWD behind.
Subaru Forester
The Forester’s 2.5-liter BOXER engine emphasizes consistent performance with about 182 hp and a torque curve tuned for tractable city and light off-road response.
Subaru Impreza
The compact Impreza delivers practical performance with the 2.0-liter engine, producing an estimated 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, which is typical for its class and reflects Subaru’s balanced design.
Fuel Efficiency Where It Counts
Subaru’s fuel economy figures aren’t about shrinking performance—they’re about delivering predictable, usable range without compromising AWD and utility.
Outback MPG
2.5 L Outback: ~26 mpg city / 32 mpg highway.
2.4 L turbo Outback: ~22–29 mpg range depending on engine and trim.
Wilderness versions tend toward the lower end due to rugged gearing.
These numbers align with real-world SUV expectations where AWD and vehicle mass are balanced against highway efficiency.
Crosstrek MPG
Crosstrek models with the 2.5-liter engine can deliver up to 27 mpg city / 34 mpg highway with a CVT.
Forester MPG
The 2024 Forester typically returns about 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway, a strong efficiency figure in the compact SUV class.
Impreza MPG
The 2024 Impreza achieves around 27 mpg city / 34 mpg highway in base trims, making it one of the more fuel-efficient AWD hatchbacks.
These EPA estimates reflect typical fuel usage and should be viewed as comparative rather than absolute guarantees; individual results vary with driving conditions, habits, and equipment.
AWD as Standard: Real-World Traction
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system comes standard on nearly every 2024 model. Rather than a performance gimmick, this is about consistent traction in everyday situations—rain, light snow, and uneven surfaces. It adds mechanical weight relative to front-drive competitors, which can modestly affect fuel economy, but it delivers confidence where it counts.
Choosing Between Performance and Efficiency
Daily Drivers & Commuters: Impreza and Forester strike a balance between responsive handling and fuel efficiency.
Adventure & Utility: Crosstrek and Outback offer rugged suspension and torque for mixed terrain without heavy fuel penalties.
Performance Inclinations: Turbocharged Outback trims deliver speed with reasonable efficiency thanks to modern engine management.
There are always trade-offs: more power usually means lower EPA highway numbers, and AWD systems influence mass and rolling resistance. Subaru’s design choices reflect a philosophy of usable capability first, not headline figures alone.
Disclosures & Important Notes
Fuel economy estimates are EPA ratings and typically based on standardized tests. Actual mileage will vary based on driving conditions, climate, payload, and maintenance.
Horsepower and torque figures are manufacturer specifications and may differ by trim, engine, or optional equipment.
Subaru Symmetrical AWD improves traction but does not make a vehicle invincible; safe operation within posted limits remains the driver’s responsibility.
Pricing, specs, and availability can change without notice; individual dealer options and regional differences may apply.
What This Means for You
You don’t have to choose between performance and practicality—Subaru’s 2024 lineup is engineered so that capability and efficiency coexist in everyday life. Whether commuters, weekend adventurers, or small families, the goal isn’t just higher numbers on paper—it’s usable performance that supports real decisions on real roads.
