The 2024 Subaru Impreza - A Basic Car With a Little More Taste
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Subaru's new Impreza RS version, with its 182-hp engine, is set to arrive at trailhead parking lots with greater speed. However, while nutritional granola bars may be convenient, they are hardly appetizing. Similarly, the Impreza is not as thrilling to drive as the WRX or BRZ, but it offers the necessary ingredients for practical adventures at an affordable price.
The sixth-generation Impreza has improved with larger screens, more standard features, and a stronger engine option. However, it no longer offers a manual transmission or a four-door sedan. Instead, Subaru has focused on hatchbacks with CVTs, which 73% of their Impreza customers purchase.
Although the new Impreza's design may resemble the Mazda 3, it has always prioritized practicality over style. The car's dimensions remain the same, but it is slightly taller and heavier, with the addition of a plastic step on the rear door sills for loading gear onto the roof. The rear doors are also designed to accommodate the hips while securing equipment.
The new Impreza's design seems to be inspired by the Mazda 3, but it has always been a car meant for driving to exciting places rather than just looking cool. Despite the new design, the car's dimensions remain the same as the previous generation, with a similar wheelbase, length, and ground clearance. However, the updated model has some functional changes, including a plastic step integrated into the rear door sills to help when loading gear onto the roof, and rear doors designed to accommodate hips while tying down items. The updated body structure is also claimed to be 10 percent stiffer, which could be felt while driving on twisty roads. The car is also quieter, thanks to extra support and sound deadening.
While some parts of the new Impreza have become tougher, others have become more relaxed. The steering effort has been lightened with a newer dual-pinion electric power steering rack, similar to what's used in the WRX. The car now uses an electronic brake booster resulting in a lighter pedal effort. The brake-based torque vectoring, which was previously only offered on more expensive models, is now standard across all three trim levels.
2024 Subaru Impreza Engine specs
The Impreza lineup includes three trims: the base model, the Sport, and the new RS, which is the top-performing model. The RS uses a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and an updated CVT, along with paddle shifters and an attempt to mimic an eight-speed automatic. It comes with dark gray 18-inch wheels, a black front grille, side skirts, heated mirrors, and adaptive LED headlights. The RS has a new exclusive color, Oasis Blue Pearl, and RS badges with two opposing horizontal pistons. Despite the bigger engine, the RS lacks the enthusiasm of the updated chassis and doesn't accelerate with urgency. However, it is still quicker than the base engine, which took 9.0 seconds to reach 60 mph in the last test. The new Impreza has a larger fuel tank, but the fuel economy has slightly decreased. The EPA estimates that the base hatchback gets 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the new RS trim gets 26/33 mpg. Nevertheless, the bigger tank provides base Impreza and Sport trims with nearly 500 miles on a single tank of gas.
Subaru Impreza interior and technology
The most noticeable changes in the new Impreza are found inside the cabin. The base model comes with a larger 7.0-inch screen, but if you upgrade to the Sport or RS, you get an 11.6-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is user-friendly, and the physical buttons that surround the digital display provide a faster response than the sometimes sluggish software. The RS we tested was fitted with an optional package ($2070) that includes a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, a power sunroof, and a 10-way power driver's seat.
Subaru has also improved its EyeSight driver-assist technology with a new camera that has a wider field of view. During highway driving, the system beeps only when necessary, which is an improvement over the previous version. The car also accelerates before completing a lane change when using adaptive cruise control, which provides a more natural driving experience.
While the Impreza may not be as exciting to drive as the Honda Civic or offer a luxurious interior like the leather-lined Mazda 3, it remains an affordable option to get all-wheel drive and is a reliable choice to reach your destination. If the previous Impreza was like a Clif Bar, the new version is like a Clif Bar with chocolate chips: still basic, but with a bit more flavor.
2024 Subaru Impreza price and models
The 2024 Subaru Impreza is available in three different trims with varying starting prices. The base model starts at $22,995, offering a budget-friendly option for those looking for a reliable all-wheel-drive car. The Impreza Sport, with added features and performance enhancements, has a starting price of $24,995. The top-of-the-line Impreza RS, which boasts a more powerful engine and premium features, starts at $27,885. Regardless of which trim you choose, the Impreza offers great value for its price point.