2024 Subaru Impreza

Now available solely as a hatchback, the new 2024 Impreza continues the good work carried out by the previous five generations, while adding a good deal of refinement. New infotainment technology includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. Driver aids have been upgraded, and a sporty RS version with 182 horsepower makes its debut.

In Sport trim, the 2024 Subaru Impreza starts at $24,995, while the RS begins at $28,975.

The 2024 Impreza also gets the basics right, with a roomy cabin and the confidence of all-wheel drive (AWD), a rarity among compact cars.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this collection of compact cars, including the Subaru Impreza.

As the calendar rolls around, the Subaru Impreza compact car moves into its sixth generation with a more rigid body (boding well for refinement and good safety scores), plus upgraded tech and an RS version for the enthusiasts.

For reference, the Honda Civic hatchback starts at $25,450. The Mazda3 hatchback is just over $23.5K. The Toyota Corolla Hatchback comes in at just under $23K, while the sedan-only Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra start at $19.5K and $20.5K, respectively. These are all 2023 prices. Also, keep in mind that only the Impreza includes all-wheel drive as standard equipment at these base prices.

Before buying a new Impreza compact car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

Great Resale Values

Traditionally, the Subaru Impreza has come second only to the Honda Civic in the resale values stakes. Strong resale value can mean more money for your next down payment.

KBB’s Andy Bornhop sampled the new 2024 Subaru Impreza 2.5 on the winding roads surrounding Paso Robles in California. Andy reports:

Consider me impressed. This new Impreza is significantly more refined. In previous Impreza models, you could tell they were powered by a flat-4, thanks to a slightly grumbly character that was endearing to the Subaru faithful and let you know something different under the hood.

But in the new Impreza, thanks in part to improved sound deadening, an insulating windshield, and revised engine mounts, it’s tough to tell what’s actually powering this all-wheel-drive 5-door — it’s just a smooth engine under the hood. And while this 2.5-liter has respectable power and a pleasingly broad powerband, do not think it’s in the same performance league as the potent turbocharged engine in the WRX.

That stated, the naturally aspirated 2.5 in the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS works well. It’s smooth and totally relaxed on the highway, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), aided by shifters behind the steering wheel, does a good job of replicating the shift feel of a conventional automatic. In sport mode, the response is especially sharp.

Perhaps more significant, the refined new Impreza RS boasts outstanding ride quality. Because the new chassis is 10% stiffer, Subaru was able to use softer springs and firmer shock absorbers. The result? A practical compact hatchback that’s remarkably comfortable on long trips but quite capable on twisty pavement.

Indeed, with steering borrowed from the sporty WRX and excellent brakes, the Impreza RS corners with an enviable confidence, and then powers out with excellent composure, aided by torque vectoring and an AWD system that sends more power to the rear wheels under hard acceleration.

Even with the optional sunroof, the RS has excellent head room, and the red-bolstered seats are upholstered in a grippy fabric that holds you well in enthusiastic driving. What’s more, it’s a snap to wirelessly connect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the portrait-oriented 11.6-inch infotainment screen features large icons that are easy to find and press while you’re on the move. Also positive: Subaru still employs easy-to-use knobs to for the volume and station controls.

One final point: Although the 2.5-liter engine has 30 more horsepower than the base 2-liter, it’s nearly as efficient at the 2.0-liter in the base and Sport.

Fuel Ecomony

While the EPA reports that the 2024 Impreza 2.0-liter can achieve 30 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving (27 city/34 highway), the 2.5-liter Impreza RS comes in at a very respectable 29 mpg (26 city/33 highway). As such, we’d opt for the Impreza RS, especially if your life frequently involves back seat passengers. The impressive new Impreza chassis deserves the added power. Learn more about the Impreza mileage at the EPA website.

We got to explore the inside of the 2024 Subaru Impreza during its world debut at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show. Although it’s been totally redesigned, beyond the big, new, vertically oriented touchscreen mounted front and center, we found it very familiar.

While there’s nothing particularly sexy about the design or materials, there aren’t any notable shortcomings, either. It’s a roomy, functional passenger cabin designed to get the job done. Quality is high.  Head room front and rear is excellent, and the front seats have been redesigned for greater comfort compared with the outgoing model.

The RS comes with heated sport front seats, a black-and-red interior color scheme, and aluminum alloy pedals.

Available paint colors for the 2024 Subaru Impreza include Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Oasis Blue Pearl, and Pure Red.

All-wheel drive
A Subaru hallmark and with active torque vectoring to deliver the right amount of drive to each wheel for optimum grip and stability. Every new Impreza has it as standard.

Infotainment system
Starting in the Sport trim, Subaru fits an 11.6-inch touchscreen for the first time in an Impreza. It’s accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Keyless entry
Standard in the Sport trim and above, this is accompanied by a push-button start. Sure, a lot of cars have this feature nowadays, but it’s always a thrill to press that button and fire up the engine.

RS model
Rolling on 18-inch alloy wheels and a sport suspension, wearing its own exterior treatments, and producing 182 horsepower, the RS is the most entertaining 2024 Impreza.

Harman Kardon audio
Harman Kardon is a high-quality audio company supplying companies like BMW. A 10-speaker HK system is offered in the 2024 Impreza RS.

On the base 2024 Impreza, notable standard equipment includes a cloth interior, 16-inch steel wheels with covers, dual-zone automatic climate control, steering responsive LED headlights. and twin 7-inch touchscreens. It also has EyeSight, Subaru’s safety suite which has been improved for 2024 and includes pre-collision braking and Automatic Emergency Steering.

The Impreza Sport gets 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, and an 8-speed manual mode for the automatic transmission. You also get premium cloth upholstery, Keyless Access, and, most notably, a massive portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen.

At the RS level, the standard equipment is highlighted by the larger 2.5-liter engine, LED headlamps and fog lamps, grippy fabric RS fabric upholstery, a wireless smartphone charger, and an exterior with sporty black accents. On the safety front, the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS also gets a blind-spot monitor and rear-cross-traffic assist with braking.

The only option on the base 2024 Subaru Impreza is 16-inch alloy wheels.

On the Impreza Sport, you can order an All-Weather Package (heated seats, mirrors and wipers), plus a package that includes a sunroof, rear cross-traffic detection, a blind-spot monitor, an automatic emergency steering.

At the RS level, options are highlighted by the RS upgrade package, which includes a 10-way power driver’s seat, a moonroof, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Two of the three 2024 Impreza models have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The RS has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generating a more spirited 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. In every case, an automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The current new-car warranty from Subaru lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class. Subaru also offers free maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Many Standard Safety Features

The Subaru Impreza is well-equipped with standard safety features. The standard EyeSight safety tech suite comes with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The IIHS named it to its top Safety Pick list for 2024, while NHTSA gave it the highest overall safety rating: five out of five stars.