I need AWD/decent mileage recommendations...

[Carson Dyle]

Forester <> Outback. The turbo Forester XT is especially notorious. It's sobering when a 4 cylinder car in 2013 gets less than 20 MPG in mixed driving.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbull...rld-gas-milage-does-your-forester-get-118680/

 

[Jumpem]

Forester <> Outback. The turbo Forester XT is especially notorious. It's sobering when a 4 cylinder car in 2013 gets less than 20 MPG in mixed driving.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbull...rld-gas-milage-does-your-forester-get-118680/

It's a turbo mated to a four speed auto. The four speed auto is what really holds it back.

The 2014 Forester finally has a modern transmission. It will surpass the Outback in fuel economy now as far as the 2.5i models go.

 

[Demo24]

I confess I really like the way Audis feel and look, but having known a fair number of owners and seen and heard about their various repair fiascos, no way I'd go with one. That and I think I'm done with pricey rides while I live in the north country.

Subaru is in the lead, but now I'm thinking I should wait a little longer, looks like there might be some interesting diesel models coming out, as well as that forester.

They've been saying diesels in the US for Subaru for years now. Everywhere else they sell them, but not here. I wouldn't hold my breath on it coming anytime soon. A hybrid from Subaru is much more likely and heard some rumors about that being revealed, might just be in concept form, soon.

 

[fstime]

I will highly recommend the Subaru Legacy with the 4 cylinder and CVT transmission. I know two people who own one and they get in the low 30's mpg with highway driving. So it falls right in line with full size sedan FWD cars like say a Nissan Altima which are supposed to get better fuel economy due to having less drive-train loss. Win/Win.

 

[slpaulson]

I was able to get 35.7 mpg in my 2013 Subaru Legacy going ~60mph on a recent trip. Overall I'm only averaging around 24.5mpg though, so it's not so great around town. It being winter in Wisconsin probably doesn't help matters.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

FWIW I had an 06' Lexus IS250awd and could get 35 on the highway if I was easy on the pedal.

55-60 hwy - 35 mpgs
City - 23 mpgs
Interstate 65-80 - 28 mpgs