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CBA-GVB

Subaru Impreza GVB specs

GVB is the model code of the Subaru Impreza. Japan’s transport ministry lists it in its fuel economy lists from 2011–2015 under the model type CBA-GVB. A genuine car’s chassis number starts GVB-.

Buying one? Read our Subaru Impreza WRX STI GR import guide for known problems, auction sheet notes and what to check.

GVB at a glance

Make
Subaru
Model
Impreza
Model code
GVB
Model types
CBA-GVB
In MLIT’s lists
2011–2015
Engines
EJ20 1,994 cc petrol
Gearboxes
6-speed manual
Drive
four-wheel drive
Kerb weight
1,420–1,500 kg
Official fuel economy
9.4–10.4 km/L (27–29 mpg)

Fuel economy is from Japan’s official tests and is usually better than you’ll see on UK roads. MLIT doesn’t list power or torque.

CBA-GVB

Listed 2011–2015. The CBA prefix (our explanation, not MLIT’s) means petrol passenger car certified to Japan’s 2005 emissions rules, 50% below their limits. Check CBA-GVB against ULEZ and clean air zones.

EngineGearboxDriveWeightSeatsFuel economyListed
EJ201,994 cc petrol6-speed manualfour-wheel drive1,470–1,500 kg510.4 km/L29 mpg, Japanese 10-15 mode test2011–2012
EJ201,994 cc petrol6-speed manualfour-wheel drive1,420–1,500 kg59.4 km/L27 mpg, Japanese JC08 test2013–2015

Each row is one version as MLIT lists it. A version can appear twice when MLIT gave figures on two tests that year. Low-emission stars and trim names aren’t shown. MLIT gives fuel economy in km/L; the mpg figures are our conversion to UK gallons. Japanese tests are gentler than real UK driving, so expect less.

Check a GVB before you buy

Make sure the car is what the advert says: the chassis number on the V5C should start GVB-, and the engine and gearbox should match one of the versions above. Our free check reads the UK MOT history and compares it with the chassis code.

Other Subaru Impreza model codes

Questions

What engine does the GVB have?

MLIT lists the Subaru Impreza GVB with EJ20 1,994 cc petrol.

What fuel economy does the GVB get?

Officially between 9.4 and 10.4 km/L (about 27–29 mpg), depending on the version, on Japan’s own tests. Real-world figures are usually lower, especially against the older 10-15 mode test.

How heavy is the GVB?

Between 1,420 and 1,500 kg kerb weight, depending on the version.

Is CBA-GVB the same as GVB?

Yes. CBA-GVB is the full model type: the letters before the hyphen are Japan’s emissions code, which changed as the rules were tightened, and GVB is the model code. The chassis number starts with GVB-.

About these figures

The model types, engine codes, capacities, gearboxes, drive, weights, seats and km/L figures are copied from MLIT’s yearly lists of cars on sale in Japan each March, so “listed” years are list years, not exact production dates. The English model names, mpg conversions, emissions code explanations and chassis number matching are ours. Lists before 2013 were printed as PDFs that we read by machine; where an older list gives an engine code that doesn’t match its capacity, we’ve used the figure the same model type has in other years. Check anything that matters against the car’s own papers. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected]. All Subaru model codes.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan, fuel economy lists 2004–2026, used under the Public Data License 1.0. Edited and translated by JDM History.