Americans have been moving steadily into SUVs for years, but the compact car has made a bit of a comeback in 2025. Compact cars are affordable, more fun to drive than SUVs, and many today give you as much passenger space as midsize cars did a generation ago.
The Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza are two of the most unique choices on the market. We like both, but they have very different virtues, making them right for very different buyers. Here’s we’d approach a choice between the two.
2025 Hyundai Elantra
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra combines a dramatic exterior, a high-tech interior, and the longest warranty in the automotive business. A choice of powertrains means you can add more performance if that’s important to you – something that’s growing rare in this price range. Hyundai also offers hybrid and high-performance N versions.
Hyundai Elantra Highlights
Longer warranty: Hyundai protects owners with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Subaru provides the industry standard 3-year/36,000-mile comprehensive plan and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain plan. Five extra years of powertrain protection insulating you from repair costs goes a long way toward making car ownership more affordable.
Lower price and cheaper fill-ups: Even the gas-powered Elantra is pretty efficient, getting up to 36 mpg in combined driving. That beats the Impreza’s 30. The more efficient car also has the lower starting price, making the Elantra easy on your budget.
Hybrid option: Hyundai now builds hybrid editions of most of its vehicles, including an Elantra hybrid with a great driver interface that helps you drive more efficiently. Subaru is a bit behind the curve on hybrid tech – there’s no hybrid Impreza yet.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Elantra models near you.
2025 Subaru Impreza
The compact Impreza is a bit of an outlier, both on the Subaru lot and in the compact car class. It’s one of very few Subarus not marketed mostly to outdoor lovers, and one of very few compact cars sold exclusively as a hatchback. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) makes it a solid choice in Snowbelt states.
Subaru Impreza Highlights
Standard AWD: Few compact cars are still offered with power available to all four wheels. But AWD grip is Subaru’s signature feature. If you live where snow and ice factor into your commute, it might make the Impreza a better choice.
Hatchback utility: The Impreza wins nearly every storage space comparison because of its hatchback body style. If you’ll use your compact car to haul things most people wouldn’t put in a compact car, the Impreza has a small-SUV-like cargo hold.
Harman Kardon audio: Subaru is a mainstream automaker, but uses a sound system supplier we’re used to seeing on luxury cars. Hyundai’s Bose systems are nice, but Subaru’s available Harmon Kardon sound system is a treat at this price range.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Impreza models near you.
Similarities
Both use 4-cylinder engines, start below $25,000, and stand out a field of plain-looking Corollas and Civics.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Elantra Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,370 |
TBD |
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$24,495 |
TBD |
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$27,070 |
TBD |
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$28,020 |
TBD |
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$30,220 |
TBD |
New 2025 Subaru Impreza Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
TBD |
TBD |
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$27,530 |
TBD |
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$30,420 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Elantra vehicles and New 2025 Subaru Impreza vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Elantra | 2025 Subaru Impreza | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, IVT | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic |
| Fuel Economy | 32 city/41 highway/36 combined mpg | 27 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 176.2 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 79.4 inches |
| Height | 55.7 inches | 58.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 17.7 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.6 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.3 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.6 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 14.2 cubic feet | 56.0 cubic feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Either of these two can meet most buyers’ needs, but how you’ll use your car should play into your decision here. The Impreza will fit the needs of a narrower set of buyers with its hatchback space and AWD foul-weather grip. The Elantra is likely a better choice for most who don’t need those things because of its lower starting price, greater fuel economy, and much longer warranty.
