2016 head-to-head · Compact Car

2016 Mazda 3 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,409/ year to fuel
33 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,500/ year to fuel
31 MPG

The 2016 Mazda 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,409 a year to fuel (33 MPG), versus $1,500 for the 2016 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport (31 MPG). That's roughly $91 a year, or about $455 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

  • Mazda 3
  • Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

Side by side

Mazda 3Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
$1,409 Your annual fuel cost $1,500
33 MPG Combined efficiency 31 MPG
29 MPG City 28 MPG
39 MPG Highway 36 MPG
96 cu ft Passenger volume 97 cu ft
12 cu ft Cargo volume 12 cu ft
270 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 288 g/mi
8/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
8/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl
6-speed manual 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.

Mazda 3 vs Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport across model years

  • Mazda 3
  • 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

Among 51 2016 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 13th and the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 16th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Mazda 3 or the 2016 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is rated 33 MPG combined and the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Mazda 3 vs. the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,409 for the Mazda 3 and $1,500 for the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport.

Mazda 3 vs Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport in other years

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