31 MPG combined is what you can expect from the 2018 Subaru Impreza 5-Door 2.0L. While it’s not the most fuel-efficient car in its class, that number reflects its practicality, all-weather capability, and Subaru’s dedication to combining functionality with reasonable efficiency in a compact car.

City and highway performance

The Impreza gets an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. This difference highlights where this car performs best. Stop-and-go city driving isn’t its strength, but the Impreza excels on longer highway trips. The standard symmetrical all-wheel drive provides secure traction on various road surfaces, but results in a slight fuel economy reduction compared to front-wheel drive competitors.

The highway MPG is still respectable, making the Impreza a comfortable and reasonably efficient choice for road trips.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Subaru Impreza 5-Door 2.0L at $1,400. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price. Individual fuel costs will vary based on driving habits and local fuel prices, but this $1,400 estimate is a good baseline for budgeting and comparing the Impreza’s running costs to other cars. This assumes a mix of city and highway driving that matches how Impreza owners typically use their vehicles.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are helpful guidelines, but real-world fuel economy can differ. Impreza drivers who often drive in mountainous areas or bad weather might see numbers a little lower than the EPA estimates. Similarly, drivers who focus on maximizing fuel efficiency through careful driving can often meet or even exceed those numbers. The Impreza’s continuously variable transmission (CVT), or Automatic (AV-S7) as labeled by the EPA, prioritizes smooth power delivery, which can affect fuel economy if not driven carefully.

However, most Impreza owners typically see an MPG within a reasonable range around the EPA’s 31 MPG combined figure.

How it compares

The 2018 Subaru Impreza 5-Door’s fuel economy is in unique place compared to its competition. A front-wheel drive Honda Civic Hatchback, for example, can get up to 42 MPG on the highway in its most efficient form. The Toyota Corolla iM (now Corolla Hatchback) also had slightly better combined fuel economy at 32 MPG despite not having all-wheel drive. These cars don’t have the Impreza’s standard all-wheel drive system. The Mazda3 offers sporty handling and good fuel efficiency, nearing 35 MPG combined in some trims, but it also lacks AWD. For Subaru buyers, all-wheel drive is a key feature; they accept the slightly lower fuel economy for the added security and capability. For all all Subaru fuel economy data, you can search here. For just IMPREZA MPG across all years, you can see the MPG trends shift over time.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Tire pressure is a factor in fuel consumption with the Impreza. Maintaining the correct tire pressure will significantly improve your MPG. Regularly check your tire pressures against the label on the driver’s door jamb. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which hurts fuel economy.

The Impreza’s CVT transmission works best with smooth acceleration. Avoid sudden starts to save fuel. Accelerating gradually allows the CVT to operate in its most efficient range, optimizing fuel consumption.

Minimize extra weight as it impacts your MPG. Remove any unnecessary cargo or items from the car, especially for city driving. The lighter the car, the less fuel it will use.

Cruise control can be useful on the highway, but it’s not always the best choice in hilly areas. In rolling hills, manually adjusting your speed can sometimes result in better fuel economy compared to cruise control, which tends to hold a constant speed by over-revving the engine.