Overview
With a quieter cabin, stiffer body structure, improved chassis, and more standard equipment, the 2024 Subaru Impreza represents the next evolutionary step for the well-traveled nameplate. The Impreza continues to be powered by either of two flat-four engines and, like all Subarus save the BRZ sports car, all-wheel drive is standard. During our first drive of the new hatch, we appreciated the top RS model’s improved playfulness on twisty roads and its intuitive infotainment system. The Impreza is not nearly as exhilarating as the turbocharged WRX performance sedan, and the cabin materials aren’t on par with what you get in rivals like the Mazda 3. But while the revitalized Impreza doesn’t offer anything spectacular or extravagant, it is an honest small car with a little more personality than before
What’s New for 2024?
Subaru rolls out an all-new sixth-generation Impreza for the 2024 model year, and with it comes new looks, new tech, a new powertrain option, and the return of the rally-inspired RS trim level from the late 1990s. The RS offers sportier exterior trim and a 182-hp, 2.5-liter flat-four engine, which is 30 horses more powerful than the base car’s 2.0-liter powerplant. Unfortunately for manual-transmission advocates, Subaru has made the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) standard on all 2024 Imprezas. In addition to being CVT-only, the new Impreza will now be sold exclusively in a five-door hatchback body configuration; the sedan is history. The Impreza has been outfitted with the WRX performance model’s dual-pinion electric power steering rack. Stops happen thanks to a new electronic brake booster. Updates to the Impreza’s exterior are similar to the design language seen on the latest generation of both the WRX and Crosstrek. Changes to the interior design make it almost identical to that of its newer stablemates, particularly the Crosstrek. The 11.6-inch touch display is available in the Impreza for the first time and is standard on Sport and RS trim levels. The 2024 Impreza hatch also gets a larger fuel tank, up to 16.6 gallons from the previous car’s 13.2 gallons.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Given our natural disposition towards sporty vehicles, plus the power of nostalgia, we were curious to see what the reborn Impreza RS is capable of and wondered if it would be our preferred configuration. The chassis tuning allows for spirited driving on canyon roads, and the larger 2.5-liter engine is a welcome improvement over the base 2.0-liter—though it’s still far from pulse-quickening. We recommend sticking with the base model since its value pricing aligns with the Impreza’s primary mission: to offer buyers a frugal all-wheel-driven mode of transportation.
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Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base and Sport trims retain the Impreza’s meager naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four engine, which musters the same 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque as before. A larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine is exclusively available for the new RS model, providing a power bump of 30 horsepower and 33 pound-feet of torque for a total output of 182 horses and 178 pound-feet. Despite its extra oomph over the base engine, the RS’s beefier boxer engine leaves us wishing Subaru had fitted it with a turbocharger. A CVT is standard on all 2024 Imprezas as is torque vectoring, which improves upon the capable, standard all-wheel drive system. For an extra sprinkling of rally-racing sportiness, Subaru has equipped the new Impreza with a version of the dual-pinion electronic power steering rack found in the WRX and stiffened the chassis by 10 percent. The new power steering rack delivers lightened-up steering feel, and the new electronic brake booster lightened-up brake pedal feel. Together these changes made spirited back-road driving fun if not thrilling in the RS model we sampled.
More on the Impreza Hatchback
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The 2024 Impreza gets a larger gas tank than the previous-gen model, and that’s a good thing since it’s also less efficient than its predecessor. When comparing base hatchbacks, the EPA estimates the new Impreza gets 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, down from 28 mpg and 36 mpg for the 2023 model. Despite the dip in fuel economy, the bigger tank gives base Impreza and Sport trims nearly 500 miles on a tank of gas. Meanwhile, the new RS trim gets an estimated 26 mpg city and 33 mpg on the highway. We haven’t yet run the Impreza through our 75-mph highway fuel economy route which is part of our extensive testing regimen.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Subaru interiors are known for being pragmatic rather than posh, and that trend continues with the 2024 Impreza. Dual-zone climate controls are standard for the entire model line as are 60/40 folding rear seats. The automaker says it focused its efforts on a more ergonomic front-seat design and hushing the cabin. During our first drive we verified that the new Impreza’s cabin does indeed seem quieter than the fifth-gen model’s. The interior looks like a natural progression from the design of the preceding generation, and we appreciated having hard buttons for the infotainment display rather than touchscreen controls. There’s also a nifty plastic step near the rear seats to help access the roof and secure cargo to vehicles equipped with roof rails. With the rear seats down the hatchback offers a cavernous cargo capacity of 56 cubic-feet.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2024 Subaru Impreza offers the automaker’s Starlink multimedia system standard on Sport and RS models. It is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and features an 11.6-inch touchscreen display with controls for the sound system, HVAC, and certain vehicle functions. Meanwhile, base models get a standard 7.0-inch screen. For models equipped with Starlink, Subaru also offers its Safety and Security Connect Services, such as SOS Emergency Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, as well as conveniences like Remote Vehicle Locator. The new Impreza provides its passengers with an auxiliary input jack, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port, so you’re set regardless of which smartphone you happen to have. There’s also an available Harmon Kardon 10-speaker sound system, though it’s only offered on the range-topping RS model.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
In addition to the aforementioned Safety and Security Connected Services available for models equipped with Starlink, Subaru has made its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology standard for all three Impreza trim levels. Automatic emergency steering is included on models fitted with the optional blind-spot detection system, which is already packaged with lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert—all of which are standard on the new RS model. Subaru is also introducing a few new services to the 2024 Impreza, including Valet Mode, Trip Log and Driving Journal, and Remote Vehicle Configuration. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (
