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 25.7 mpg.
Every Subaru Impreza engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Subaru Impreza ranges from 30.9 down to 21.9 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $510 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
The Subaru Impreza burns a gallon every 26.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 456 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.122 |
| Fuel per year | $1,460 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,300 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$34 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,460 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Subaru Impreza gives up 7.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.6 out there against 23.5 in town, a 30% drop worth $379 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 | 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
The Impreza peaked in 2023 at 32 mpg (28 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 21 — 11 mpg apart, or $629 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 29. 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.
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How we count
This page rests on 34 EPA ratings of the Subaru Impreza — 4 engines across 1993–2026. 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 $2,460. Full method.
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 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Impreza figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Subaru Impreza is $2,460 against the $1,460 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 32 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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