1. 2012 Subaru Impreza Wagon WRX STI
MPG: 17 city/23 hwy/ 19.8 combined
MSRP: $36,845
Alternative Trim: 5dr Auto 2.0i Sport Limited
MPG: 27 city/36 hwy/31 combined
MSRP: $23,345
Although the 2012 Subaru Impreza was completely redesigned for the 2012 model year, the high-performance, sport-tuned WRX STI trim carried over unchanged from the previous year. A turbocharged 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that can produce 305 horsepower and 290-lb-ft of torque delivers a powerful punch from the small car, but it also drives down fuel economy and drives up the price. If you have fuel economy on your mind, try the 2.0i Sport Limited trim and fuel economy soars up by more than 10 mpg for highway mpg and 11 mpg combined and drops the price down by more than $10K.
Reality check: The much smaller Subaru Impreza Wagon WRX STI gets the same fuel economy as the brawny Ford F-150 truck, which carries a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that can generate 302 horsepower and 278-lb-ft of torque and weighs (curb weight) 1300 more pounds than the Subaru Impreza Wagon (4,685 pounds versus 3,384 pounds).
