Fuel tank capacity
16.9gal · 64 L
The 2004 Subaru Outback has a fuel tank capacity of 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 389–423 highway miles or 287–321 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.9 gal · Smaller than 75% of 2004 models we list.
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
All 10 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | Fuel | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 321 / 423 mi |
| AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 321 / 423 mi |
| H6-3.0 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 23 | 287 / 389 mi |
| H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 23 | 287 / 389 mi |
| H6-3.0 L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 23 | 287 / 389 mi |
| H6-3.0 VDC AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 23 | 287 / 389 mi |
| H6-3.0 VDC AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 23 | 287 / 389 mi |
| Limited AWD 4dr Sedan 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 321 / 423 mi |
| Limited AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 321 / 423 mi |
| Limited AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 16.9 gal64 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 321 / 423 mi |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 21 MPG, a full 16.9-gallon tank covers about 355 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.9 | 422 | 321 |
| 3/4 | 12.7 | 317 | 241 |
| 1/2 | 8.5 | 211 | 161 |
| 1/4 | 4.2 | 106 | 80 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 53 | 40 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 42 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
$72.16 to fill the 16.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.9 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $72.16 | $54.12 |
| 16.9 gal | Premium | $5.28 | $89.23 | $66.92 |
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $67.94 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $72.16 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $62.53 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $75.37 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $91.60 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $99.54 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
The 2004 Outback uses the same 16.9 gal tank as every Outback since 2000.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Outback | 16.9 gal | 456 mi |
| 2008 Outback | 16.9 gal | 439 mi |
| 2007 Outback | 16.9 gal | 439 mi |
| 2006 Outback | 16.9 gal | 439 mi |
| 2005 Outback | 16.9 gal | 439 mi |
| 2004 Outback | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| 2003 Outback | 16.9 gal | 439 mi |
| 2002 Outback | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| 2001 Outback | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| 2000 Outback | 16.9 gal | Not rated |
The Outback has the largest tank of the two 2004 SUVs compared here, 16.9 gallons against 13.2 for the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.
| 2004 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 16.9 gal | 423 mi |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | 13.2 gal | 343 mi |
Picked by body style and size: other 2004 SUVs within about 5% of the Outback's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.
NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2004 Subaru Outback, out of 10 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.
Certain passenger or sport utility vehicles may have a loose or out of position fuel filler hose clamp.
Risk: This could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the clamp on the fuel filler hose. Owner notification began august 27, 2003. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
The 2004 Subaru Outback holds 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim we list.
The 2004 Subaru Outback tank holds 64 liters, or 16.9 gallons in US gallons.
About 389–423 miles on the highway and 287–321 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
About 106 highway miles or 80 in town from the 16.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.2 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
Regular unleaded, or Premium unleaded (required), depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.9-gallon tank from empty costs $72.16. It ranges from $62.53 in the Gulf Coast to $99.54 in California.
About 105 pounds for the 16.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Yes. The 2004 Subaru Outback holds up to 16.9 gallons; the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback holds up to 13.2.
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2004 Subaru Outback: 03V303000 (storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.