2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Chevrolet Malibu vs Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu (30 MPG). That's roughly $97 a year, or about $484 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,453 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 32 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 38 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 100 cu ft |
| 16 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 293 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 282 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu vs Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Chevrolet Malibu has more cargo space (16 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 27th and the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 24th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
Measured by cost to drive, the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 30 MPG combined and the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 32 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,453 for the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport.
Which has more cargo space?
The Chevrolet Malibu, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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