The 2025 Subaru Impreza 2.0L 4-cyl gets a combined 30 MPG. This positions it as a practical, all-weather compact car. It trades headline-grabbing efficiency for the strong confidence of standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. For the Impreza buyer, often someone prioritizing safety, year-round usability, and a proven, no-nonsense ownership experience, 30 MPG combined is a satisfactory achievement for a vehicle with its specific mission. This fuel economy makes daily commuting manageable while ensuring weekend adventures, regardless of the weather or road conditions, don’t cost too much at the pump. This isn’t a car designed to win hypermiling contests. It’s engineered to be a dependable workhorse that uses fuel reasonably, especially considering its inherent traction advantage.

City and Highway Performance

Breaking down that combined figure, the 2025 Impreza delivers 27 MPG in city driving and 34 MPG on the highway. The city performance is particularly relevant given that the Impreza often serves as a primary commuter car, navigating stop-and-go traffic and urban environments. While 27 MPG city isn’t class-leading, it’s respectable for an all-wheel-drive vehicle, reflecting the benefits of Subaru’s linear CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), branded as AV-S8, which works diligently to keep the 2.0-liter Boxer engine in its most efficient rpm range. On the open road, 34 MPG highway is solid. The Impreza settles into a comfortable cruising rhythm, and the relatively low drag coefficient for its class, combined with the efficient transmission, allows it to stretch a gallon further. This balance of city and highway economy is critical for the typical Impreza owner, who uses the car for everything from daily errands to longer road trips, often to destinations where all-wheel drive proves invaluable.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2025 Subaru Impreza at $1,450 per year. This figure is calculated based on an assumption of 15,000 miles driven annually, with a representative mix of 45% highway and 55% city driving, using national average fuel prices, which are updated periodically. For the Impreza owner, this $1,450 estimate provides a tangible benchmark for yearly operational expenses related to fuel. It illustrates that while the Impreza isn’t the absolute most fuel-sipping compact car on the market, its fuel expenditure is quite reasonable, landing squarely in the budget-friendly category for a new vehicle. This predictability in fuel cost is another factor that appeals to the practical, budget-conscious buyer who gravitates towards the Impreza.

Real-world expectations

In real-world driving, the 2025 Impreza consistently approaches its EPA estimates. Owners who drive predominantly in mild conditions with a gentle foot can often exceed the 30 MPG combined figure, particularly those with a higher proportion of highway miles. Conversely, aggressive driving, heavy use of climate control, frequent short trips in freezing temperatures, or consistently navigating steep inclines will naturally bring the numbers down closer to the city rating, or even slightly below for purely urban, lead-footed commuters. However, few Impreza owners drive with such abandon, the car’s character encourages a more relaxed, confident pace. The symmetrical all-wheel drive, while a slight theoretical drag on efficiency compared to a front-wheel-drive counterpart, is so smoothly integrated it rarely impacts real-world economy in a noticeable way unless conditions are truly challenging. Most owners will find their personal averages hovering between 28 and 32 MPG, a perfectly acceptable range for a vehicle that refuses to be sidelined by inclement weather. To see IMPEZA MPG across all years, explore our data.

How it compares

When stacked against its compact segment rivals, the 2025 Subaru Impreza holds a unique position. Its defining characteristic, standard all-wheel drive, immediately differentiates it from most competitors, which typically offer FWD as standard and AWD as an extra-cost option, if at all. For instance, a comparable Toyota Corolla LE, with its 2.0L engine and FWD, achieves 35 MPG combined (31 city/40 highway), clearly outperforming the Impreza. The Honda Civic LX (FWD) manages an impressive 33 MPG combined (31 city/38 highway). Even the new Hyundai Elantra, a popular choice, delivers 36 MPG combined in its most efficient FWD iterations (32 city/41 highway).

However, introduce the all-wheel-drive requirement, and the playing field changes. The Mazda 3 (2.5L AWD) returns 29 MPG combined (26 city/33 highway), putting it slightly behind the Impreza, and often with a larger, thirstier engine. Subaru’s direct competitor in the AWD compact segment is practically none. The Impreza’s nearest rivals are often small crossovers like a base Subaru Crosstrek (which shares much of its DNA and powertrain, achieving 29 MPG combined), or a FWD-based compact SUV with optional AWD, which typically costs more and weighs more, thus negating some of their FWD efficiency advantages. The Impreza’s 30 MPG combined is a remarkable achievement for a vehicle with full-time, symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment, making it highly appealing for buyers in regions with varied climates who don’t want the bulk or higher cost of a small SUV. Find all Subaru fuel economy data on our site.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Maintaining consistent, moderate speeds is one of the most effective ways to maximize the Impreza’s highway fuel economy. The CVT is engineered to find the optimal gear ratio, and allowing it to work smoothly without sudden accelerations or decelerations will yield the best results.

Regular tire pressure checks are crucial. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and directly reducing fuel efficiency. Check them monthly, especially before longer trips.

Minimize unnecessary weight. While the Impreza is equipped for versatility, removing heavy items that aren’t regularly needed from the trunk or cabin can incrementally improve fuel economy over time.

Anticipate traffic conditions. Looking ahead and gently rolling to a stop or coasting to maintain momentum rather than sharp braking and accelerating will drastically improve city MPG, as the engine doesn’t have to repeatedly overcome inertia.

Use the Impreza’s X-MODE sparingly. While exceptional for traction in challenging conditions, engaging X-MODE modifies throttle maps and transmission behavior for control, not efficiency. Stick to standard drive modes for everyday driving.