Used 2016 Subaru Impreza

If you’re on a budget but want all-wheel drive (AWD) for optimal traction on slick roads when Mother Nature turns nasty, the Subaru Impreza is the car to beat. With a starting price just over $19,000, the 2016 Subaru Impreza is the least expensive all-wheel-drive car on the market. Beyond its grippy ways and low cost, the Subaru Impreza is practical, easy to drive, fuel-efficient and commands high resale value. The small Subie is available as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, and in higher trims can be had with Subaru’s EyeSight safety system that monitors traffic and can automatically apply the brakes in an emergency. The Impreza doesn’t offer the range of powertrains found in rivals, but no other competitor comes standard with AWD.

As with every Subaru except the rear-drive BRZ sports coupe, the Impreza features all-wheel drive as standard. The system is always engaged and provides a feeling of confidence regardless of weather conditions. Another Subie trait is a low-mounted engine. Having the engine closer to the ground adds to the Impreza’s planted feel, and thus its confidence on the road. As we’ve mentioned, with just 148 horsepower, the Impreza isn’t all that fleet. Most buyers will opt for an automatic transmission. Subaru is among the many automakers now using a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and though it won’t be everyone’s favorite, it does an admirable job mimicking traditional gear shifts. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on CVT models are also at hand for manual control of shift points. The Impreza absorbs road imperfections well and offers a comfortable ride, though its engine can sound raspy.

Some will appreciate the straightforward design of the 2016 Subaru Impreza. Others may think it’s plain. Either way, the Impreza’s interior is easy to use, with controls easy to see and reach. The exception would be the buttons for the front-seat heaters hidden below the driver’s-side armrest. There’s decent room for four adults, and cargo space is generous, especially in hatchback models. If cloth isn’t your thing, the interior can be dressed in leather. All Imprezas boast a 6.2-inch high-resolution touch-screen system that controls audio and smartphone functions. We also like the layout and functionality of the steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls.

The Subaru Impreza sedan is among the more conservative in this segment. In other words, you won’t find a massive grille, overtly styled sheetmetal or big, bling-bling rims. This is sensibility and practicality on wheels. The 5-door Impreza hatchback is equally restrained, with utility prioritized over panache. Attesting to that are the standard roof racks on "Sport" trims of the hatchback, which give them a crossover SUV-like image. One particularly cool option is the Impreza’s steering-responsive fog lights, which turn in sync with the front wheels to light corners as you turn.

FUEL ECONOMY
It’s hard to find a gasoline-powered AWD car with good fuel economy, but the 2016 Subaru Impreza manages this trick quite nicely. While not a class leader, it’s definitely competitive, offering up to 37 mpg on the highway.

ROOM FOR GEAR
Subaru is all about enabling an active lifestyle. If you’re the type who enjoys biking or ‘boarding, check out the Impreza 5-door. We’ll admit its exterior design may not dazzle, but its interior flexibility shines. The rear seats fold nearly flat to create 22.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

At its most basic, a 2.0i Impreza sedan comes with a rearview camera, 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat that includes height adjustment, 60/40-split-folding rear seats and 15-inch steel wheels. Audio entertainment is provided by a 4-speaker system with AM/FM/HD Radio/CD player, USB input and Bluetooth streaming, all controlled by a 6.2-inch touch screen. Premium models add heated front seats, automatic transmission as standard, center console with sliding armrest, upgraded audio system with six speakers and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Top-line Limited models include automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 7-inch touch screen, two USB ports and the Starlink safety-and-security-services system.

Options for the 2016 Impreza sedan and hatchback vary by trim and include upgraded 7-inch display, voice-activated navigation system, power moonroof, and the EyeSight safety and driving-assist system with features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane-departure warning. Other add-ons include 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink garage door opener, and steering-responsive fog lights. Cold-environment accessories include a battery warmer and engine-block heater.

The 2016 Impreza sedan and 5-door hatchback ("wagon," in the eyes of the EPA) use a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT automatic. It’s a good little engine, but its forte is providing high fuel-efficiency over rapid acceleration. (If you’re more about the latter, check out the turbocharged Subaru WRX, which used to be part of the Impreza line but is now its own model.) The Subaru Impreza uses what’s known as a flat or "boxer" engine layout, in which the cylinders are horizontally opposed, two on each side. When they’re in motion they resemble a boxer’s fists. The design lowers a vehicle’s center of gravity, which in turn improves handling.

2.0-liter flat-4
148 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg (sedan, manual), 24/33 mpg (wagon, manual), 28/37 mpg (sedan & wagon, automatic), 27/36 mpg (Sport, automatic)