2026 head-to-head · Small SUV

2026 Buick Encore vs Subaru Forester

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,550/ year to fuel
30 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,603/ year to fuel
29 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Buick Encore (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2026 Subaru Forester (29 MPG) about $1,603.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Buick Encore
  • Subaru Forester

Side by side

Buick EncoreSubaru Forester
$1,550 Your annual fuel cost $1,603
30 MPG Combined efficiency 29 MPG
30 MPG City 26 MPG
31 MPG Highway 33 MPG
297 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 310 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Flex-fuel Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline or E85 Fuel Regular gasoline
1.2L 3-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.5L 4-cyl
CVT Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Buick Encore vs Subaru Forester across model years

  • Buick Encore
  • Subaru Forester

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Buick Encore ranks 53rd and the Subaru Forester 55th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Buick Encore is a flex-fuel model, while the Subaru Forester is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Buick Encore or the 2026 Subaru Forester?

Measured by cost to drive, the Buick Encore. The Buick Encore is rated 30 MPG combined and the Subaru Forester 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Buick Encore vs. the Subaru Forester per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Buick Encore and $1,603 for the Subaru Forester.

Buick Encore vs Subaru Forester in other years

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