The 2021 Subaru Impreza Sport 4-Door 2.0L achieves 30 MPG combined, making it a relatively fuel-efficient AWD compact car. This isn’t a hybrid, so it won’t beat a Prius in fuel economy. But for those who value all-weather traction and Subaru practicality, this MPG offers a practical middle ground.

City and highway performance

The 30 MPG combined breaks down to 27 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. The city MPG is acceptable, though not outstanding. The Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive system adds weight and complexity relative to front-wheel drive cars, which affects fuel economy in stop-and-go conditions. However, the highway MPG is quite good. The Impreza’s continuously variable transmission (CVT), called AV-S7 by Subaru, helps keep the engine at optimal RPMs at cruising speeds, which increases highway MPG. That helps the Impreza compete with Subaru fuel economy data, even those without AWD.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2021 Subaru Impreza Sport 4-Door 2.0L at $1,450. This estimate assumes 15,000 miles driven per year, with 45% city and 55% highway driving, based on the national average fuel price when calculated. Your actual fuel costs will change depending on your driving, the type of driving you do (city or highway), and local fuel prices. Still, $1,450 gives you a benchmark for comparison.

Real-world expectations

While EPA estimates offer a standard comparison, real-world MPG can vary. Subaru owners often load up their Imprezas with gear for weekend trips. Roof racks, cargo carriers, and extra passengers can reduce fuel economy. Aggressive driving, rapid acceleration, and hilly areas will also lower your MPG. The 2.0L engine needs a firm foot to get good performance, which hits fuel economy if driven aggressively.

How it compares

The Honda Civic Hatchback with the automatic transmission gets 31 MPG combined., a small increase over the Impreza. However, for AWD in a compact hatchback, consider other vehicles within the IMPREZA MPG across all years. The Mazda3 offers AWD, but its fuel economy is close to the Impreza’s. The Toyota Corolla Hatchback, a front-wheel drive car, gets around 35 MPG combined, and ends up more fuel-efficient than the Impreza. The main difference? None offer the Impreza’s standard all-wheel-drive system. Buyers often accept the small MPG penalty for the Impreza’s all-weather capability and better handling. The Nissan Sentra with its standard engine and CVT achieves 33 MPG combined, hitting the sweet spot between Corolla and Impreza.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Gentle acceleration is key. The Impreza’s 2.0L engine is not particularly strong, and pressing hard on the gas won’t change that. Instead, focus on smooth acceleration to reduce fuel use. Watch traffic and avoid extra braking; keeping momentum saves gas.

Regular maintenance, including tire inflation, matters. Keep your tires inflated to the pressure on the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires add rolling resistance, which hurts fuel economy. Routine oil changes and air filter replacements also make the engine run efficiently.

Reduce weight and drag. Take out extra items from the car, as extra weight burns more fuel. Remove roof racks or cargo carriers when not in use; they add drag that cuts fuel efficiency, especially on the highway.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control keeps a steady speed, preventing throttle changes that can waste fuel. Don’t use cruise control in hilly terrain, as the system may downshift hard to keep speed, wasting fuel.