Subaru Forester Gas Tank Size

Depending on the year of your Subaru Forester, your gas tank can hold anywhere from 15.9 to 16.9 gallons.
Written by Meaghan Branham
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
background
The gas tank size of your Subaru Forester will depend on its model year. You can rest assured, though, that no matter the age of your Forester, it will hold anywhere from 15.9 to 16.9 gallons. 
It’s not the most glamorous part of car ownership, but it is one of the most necessary: Fueling up regularly comes with the territory. If you want to figure out how often you might have to take those trips to the gas pump, you’ll first need to know exactly how big your gas tank is. 
Jerry
, the comparison shopping super app and licensed broker, can answer more than just your
car insurance
questions—we also know a lot about your car's quirks and nuances. Check out this handy guide to your Subaru Forester’s gas tank, along with some tips for optimizing your
Subaru Forester insurance cost!
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

How big is the gas tank on a Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester has been in production since 1998 without skipping a single year. Some years have the same gas tank size, while others can fit considerably more fuel in their tanks. Here’s a look at the fuel capacity of each year’s Forester: 
  • 1998 through 2008: Every Subaru Forester manufactured in these years has a gas tank that holds 15.9 gallons.
  • 2009 through 2013: Foresters from these years upped the gas tank size to hold 16.9 gallons.
  • 2014 through 2018: Subaru threw it back by equipping all Foresters made from 2014 to 2018 with a 15.9-gallon fuel tank.
  • 2018 through 2022: From 2018 on, the newest models come with a 16.6-gallon tank
The latest Subaru comes in six different trim levels: the Base,
Premium
,
Sport
,
Limited
, Wilderness, and
Touring
. No matter which you choose, though, your Forester will come with the same 16.6-gallon fuel tank.
What does change between models, though, is how far you can get on one fill-up. For instance, the Forester Base trim is rated for 26 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. The Wilderness trim, however, is rated for a less impressive 25 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. 
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged

How to check your Subaru Forester’s gas tank size

If you want to double-check your Forester’s gas tank size, there are a few ways to do it yourself. Here are some simple tricks for calculating your tank’s total volume: 

Measure the gas tank

Get out your calculator and measuring tape for this one. First, you’ll need to find the width, length, and height in inches of the tank and multiply them. Once you have that number, divide it by 231—the total number of cubic inches in a gallon—and voila! You have your gas tank volume in gallons. 

Check your owner’s manual

This one’s probably the simplest: If you have your owner’s manual, you can search for “fuel tank capacity” in there for your answer. 

Drive till empty, then fill it up

This is a riskier move for the bold drivers out there. You can always wait for your fuel gauge to hit “E”, then fill up at the nearest gas station. However many gallons you can pump into your empty tank will serve as a good estimate for your total volume.
MORE:
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How to save on fuel costs in a Subaru Forester

Whether you’re driving a new Subaru Forester with a 29 mpg combined EPA estimate, a 2001 model with its 21 mpg combined rating, or anything in between, this model is not renowned for stellar fuel economy.
That might seem like bad news for those looking to save on fuel costs in a Subaru Forester, but don’t worry—Jerry has a few foolproof tips for conserving gas and saving money. 
  • Regular maintenance
    : Keeping up with everything from oil changes to tire rotations and air filter replacements in between can keep your car operating at its highest efficiency. 
  • Avoid gunning it: Harsh and sudden acceleration eats up gas way more quickly than any of us want, so try to keep your acceleration steady to save on gas. 
  • Don’t idle, especially in cold weather. We’ve all started the car a few minutes before we get in to let it warm up a bit in winter. Tempting, yes, but that idling burns up gas without getting you anywhere, so avoid it when you can. 

How to optimize your Forester’s insurance coverage

There are so many ways to get the most out of even a less-than-impressive fuel tank and even more ways to get the most out of other car-ownership necessities—like car insurance. If you’re looking for ways to optimize your coverage and save money on your policy,
Jerry
is your answer. 
Jerry is a
licensed broker
and insurance comparison app with a network of more than 55 of the nation’s top providers and the expertise and knowledge of qualified agents to back them up. All you have to do to tap into that power is download the app, answer a few questions, and watch as Jerry brings you the most competitive Subaru insurance rates to fit your needs.
Jerry
was a great service and very easy to work with. I’m confident I will use them again for my upcoming new car purchase.” —Wells O.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
avatar
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
rating primary
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings