Subaru Impreza - Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

The Subaru Impreza enters a new generation and sees a choice of engines return. Carried over is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but new this year is a more powerful 2.5-liter unit. The manual transmission option has been axed as has the sedan body style. That just leaves the hatchback which continue to include full-time all-wheel drive.

The interior of the new car gets a big update, which includes a larger tablet-style screen. From the outside, the car has freshened styling that doesn’t stray too far form the old model.

The Subaru Impreza continues as a 5-door hatchback available in Base, Sport, and RS trims, maintaining its emphasis on practicality, performance, and standard all-wheel drive. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza offers a 10% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the previous generation, contributing to improved ride quality and cabin quietness. All models use a Lineartronic CVT and include Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which adds features such as Automatic Emergency Steering on select trims with Blind-Spot Detection.

Base and Sport models are powered by a 2.0-liter BOXER engine producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The RS trim upgrades to a 2.5-liter BOXER engine delivering 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Sport and RS trims include paddle shifters with 8-speed manual mode and SI-Drive performance management.

Inside, Base models offer dual 7.0-inch touchscreens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sport and RS models receive an 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia Plus system. Additional standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, and remote keyless entry. All trims offer a range of USB-A and USB-C ports and rear 60/40 split-folding seats.

What’s New for 2025

Now in its second year following a full redesign, the 2025 Impreza carries over the previous year’s updates with no major mechanical or visual changes. Subaru has retained the reintroduced RS trim with its upgraded engine and distinctive design elements. Minor updates include refined safety technology and option packages, but the overall trim structure and feature set remain consistent with 2024. The Impreza remains exclusive to the hatchback body style, and Subaru has positioned it to provide value through standard safety, all-wheel drive, and a focus on driver engagement.

Hatchbacks: they’re like SUVs, just better—in ways.

The shape is hugely practical, so we were happy to see Subaru switch up to only the five-foor form for the latest version of the Impreza. Not only that, the brand brought back the RS badge, signalling a return of a sporty-ish Impreza for the first time since the WRX became its own thing.

It had been a while since we experienced the Toyota Corolla hatchback too—well, outside of the laugh-a-minute GR Corolla. With its own round of updates last year, we were eager to see how this front-drive hatch faired against its all-wheel-drive competitor. Managing editor Mike Schlee and I spent a week in these two red—but not red-hot—hatchbacks to see which was the smarter buy.

Read the full comparison here.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza has undergone some significant updates, even it might not appear that way on the surface.

As of late, Subaru is a company focused more on evolutionary updates, not revolutionary ones. This theme continues with the all-new Impreza that enters the model’s sixth generation for the 2024 model year. Although at first glance the new car is instantly recognizable, a closer look though reveals subtle changes here and there. Notably the more aggressive headlights and taillights, as well as the larger frameless grille.

But it’s not the car’s sheet metal that’s the big news this year. The significant changes center around a simplified lineup that focuses more on in-car technology. For 2024, there’s no sedan option, no manual transmission, no leather seating, and the lineup has been pared down to just three trim levels. This allows Subaru engineers to reinvest development costs on new features like a powerful optional engine, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto.

Read the full review here