Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
13 model years from 2005 to 2017, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2017
- Class
- Midsize Cars, Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 22–32 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns, all years
- Interest
- 26,267 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2017 Impreza/Outback Sport in brief
The 2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 38 highway), 19% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport has 13 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2017, classed as Midsize Cars, Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2017 at 32 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 32 MPG.
Buying used? 2017 has the fewest problems in our data.
How the 2005 Impreza/Outback Sport compares
The 2005 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 10% better than the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
About the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Leone, with the predecessor's EA series engines replaced by the new EJ series. It is now in its sixth generation.
From the Wikipedia article "Subaru Impreza", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2017 Impreza/Outback Sport pros & cons
Full 2017 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2017 midsize car (26.9 MPG).
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 110 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2017 Impreza/Outback Sport
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 3 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 3 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Impreza/Outback Sport changes by model year
- 2015
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- 2012
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 30
- 2006
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 13 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2017 Impreza/Outback Sport
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2017 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →