The Subaru Impreza does 26.3 mpg combined (23.5 city, 30.6 highway), which works out to about $1,460 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 30.9 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 21.9 — a difference of $510 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Subaru Impreza engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 27.6 / 35.7 | 2012–2026 | $1,243 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21.4 / 28.4 | 1993–1997 | $1,600 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20 / 27 | 1998–2001 | $1,692 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 19.7 / 25.5 | 2000–2011 | $1,753 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.122 |
| Fuel per year | $1,460 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,300 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$52 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,374 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 23.5 mpg | $1,634 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.6 mpg | $1,255 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Impreza changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2025 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2023 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2021 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2020 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2016 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2015 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2014 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2013 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2012 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2011 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2000 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1997 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Subaru Impreza get?
26.3 mpg combined on average — 23.5 in the city and 30.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1993–2026.
How much does a Subaru Impreza cost in fuel per year?
About $1,460 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,300 over five years, or 0.122 dollars a mile.
Which Impreza engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 30.9 mpg, against 21.9 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $510 a year.
Is the Impreza good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.