The Chevrolet Impala does 22 mpg combined (18.7 city, 27.9 highway), which works out to about $1,745 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl does 28 mpg while 3.8L 6-cyl does 17 — a difference of $888 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Impala engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet Impala ranges from 28 down to 17 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $888 a year across 9 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 24 / 35 | 2014–2014 | $1,371 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 22 / 30.2 | 2015–2019 | $1,536 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 28.7 | 2006–2011 | $1,722 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 18.6 / 28.1 | 2012–2020 | $1,745 | |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 18.7 / 29 | 2000–2005 | $1,761 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 18 / 25.5 | 1984–1985 | $1,829 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 16 / 24 | 1985–1985 | $2,021 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 / 24.5 | 2006–2009 | $2,021 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1984–1984 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Impala burns a gallon every 22 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 545 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$185 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,979 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Impala gives up 9.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.9 out there against 18.7 in town, a 49% drop worth $677 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.7 mpg | $2,053 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.9 mpg | $1,376 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.2 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Impala changed over the years
The Impala peaked in 2014 at 25 mpg (21.5 city, 31.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1984 at 19 — 6 mpg apart, or $485 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 22. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 20.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2016 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2015 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2014 | 21.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2013 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2012 | 18 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 17.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 17 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 26 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 27 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 29 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1985 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1984 | 16.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 35 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Impala — 9 engines across 1984–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,979. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Impala get?
22 mpg combined on average — 18.7 in the city and 27.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2020.
How much does a Chevrolet Impala cost in fuel per year?
About $1,745 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,725 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which Impala engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 28 mpg, against 17 for the 3.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $888 a year.
Is the Impala good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Impala figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Impala is $2,979 against the $1,745 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 28 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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