Outback fuel mileage regression for 2013

[Restlessk]

I was a buyer that waited until the 2013's were available because of the new engine and CVT, and the promised increased fuel mileage of the new 2.5.

I've been disappointed, to say the least, with mileage in the 24's for a mix of about 75% highway driving. We took one 1200 mile trip of all highway mileage, and it delivered just over 27 mpg cruising at 70 on flat roads.

Prior to buying, my principle experience had been driving 2011 and 2012 Outbacks which were loaner cars at my local Porsche dealer. And, in exactly the same conditions, their computers showed 27-28 mpg where mine shows 24 now.

So, my assertion is that the changes Subaru made to the 2013s actually reduced fuel economy rather than improved it. Looking at fuelly.com data seems to support that.

Two reactions to likely arguments.

1. The mileage of 2013s is all low mileage vehicles, and mileage will improve after break-in. I'd love to see any study that shows that mileage improves after break-in in more than a negligible way. I've tracked mileage in every car I've owned, and have only noticed an extremely small, if any, improvement. And my Outback has shown absolutely zero improvement after 3500 miles.

2. The EPA rates the 2013s higher, and their testing must have better results than prior years. Although the EPA actually tests very few cars, and generally takes and reports data from the manufacturer. And given scant resources at the EPA, they generally only test major model changes, so it is unlikely that the 2013 Outback would have been tested.

My mileage is not terrible, but is disappointing. It's not a deal breaker for me, but I do think it important that potential buyers know that the 2013s don't deliver better fuel mileage.

[subiesailor]

Dude 3500 miles?

Christ my last two subarus didn't hit their max mileage till I had nearly 20,000 miles on them.

Not to mention till you do the same trip many times you haven't any idea what type of mileage you should see.

I do a 700 mile round trip every year when its windy ie head wind with 70mph speeds we get 23-26mpg. When it isn't windy and we leave the roof rack junk at home we get 27-28mpg - if I drop the speed to 60-65mph we get 29-30mpg.

Your 70mph speed not even counting road conditions - temps - wind etc returning 27mpg seems to be in the right range for not knowing the traffic - road - wind and load conditions.

By the way my 2001 subaru 2.5 with 5spd MT - was 23-25mpg on that same trip pending wind - and load etc at 70mph. If we dropped it to 60-65mph the all time record tank was 28mpg. We put 180,000 miles on that car and did the same trips more times than I can count. I could predict what mileage we would get before the first gallon of fuel was burned. That car also did not start returning its best mileage till it had nearly 20,000 miles on it.

Same goes for my Gen4 OB 20,000 miles the mileage is very different than what it got at 3500

[Restlessk]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Dude 3500 miles?

Christ my last two subarus didn't hit their max mileage till I had nearly 20,000 miles on them.

By how much? For what reason?

If that were the case, there would be a statistical difference between 2011s and 2012s on fuelly, which there isn't.

Sorry, I just don't buy it. Happy to chime in and admit defeat in 18 months if I'm wrong (in fact, I'd be insanely happy), but I don't think that's going to happen...

[subiesailor]

Who uses fuelly? I don't

My Turkey Day trip SF to LA was a big surprise. 300 miles of nearly 100% stop and go traffic 9hrs worth. I found a way to creep along at 30-40mph resulting in a calculated 30mpg tank average for the trip to LA and on the way back the last 100 miles we actually saw the 70mph speed limit that tank was 29.5 mpg - higher speeds for a slightly larger portion of the trip.

You haven't had your car long enough to even know what type of mileage its going to return for given conditions so sit back enjoy the ride and stop your crying.

[Restlessk]

SubieSailor, 4 things.

1. My 70 mph experience was dead flat west Texas roads, zero wind, steady at 70 for 120 miles at a shot. 27 mpg. My contention is that it won't get much better than that.

2. Fuelly represents a larger sample size, more scientific approach to tracking mileage than anecdotal data, as your trip from LA over Thanksgiving.

3. I'm not 'crying,' but making an assertion that I believe useful in a potential buyer of a 2013 understanding what they're getting. And perhaps helping leverage Subaru into a software modification that might improve our 2013s.

4. My assertion is that 2013s have reduced mileage over earlier gen 4s. You have an earlier gen 4, so your excellent results kinda are helping me make my point. The 2013 has a new engine and a new transmission, and all the software that drives them. The results will be different than in your model year.

[subiesailor]

Put more miles on your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My car never event posted 27mpg on my flat zero wind 70mph trips before it was over 15,000 miles.


PUT MORE MILES ON YOUR CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Restlessk]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Put more miles on your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! I do every day!

[pgh]

Interesting, my 12 Impreza with the new (2nd gen CVT) and 2.0 FB engine gets the same real world fuel economy as my 10 Outback with a EJ/1st gen CVT. City only with short quick drives I get 22 in both. That's spot on for the OB but 5 short for the Impreza. I still say the last year or 2 of the EJ engine was the best. The new FB motors could probably use a nip and tuck IMO.

[gomjabber]

I think I saw a bump in my mpg around 10k.

[1bythesea]

My 2012 2.5, with just under 10 K miles, has seen an improvement of 1-1.5 mpgs since inception.