The 2024 Subaru Impreza marks the next developmental step for the well-traveled brand, with a quieter interior, stiffer body construction, a better chassis, and more standard equipment. The Impreza is still propelled by one of two flat-four engines, and all-wheel drive is standard on all Subarus BRZ racing car. The top RS model’s better playfulness on twisty roads and its intuitive infotainment system are remarkable when driving the new hatch. The Impreza isn’t as exciting as the turbocharged WRX performance car, and the interior materials aren’t up to par with competitors like the Mazda 3. While the refreshed Impreza doesn’t offer anything spectacular or extravagant, it is a straightforward compact vehicle with a little more personality than before.
What’s new in the 2024 Impreza?
This new version of the Impreza hatchback—the sedan has been discontinued—doesn’t appear drastically different from its predecessor from 2017 to 2023, but it does include some significant enhancements. Most Imprezas now come standard with a new 11.6-inch center touchscreen, providing this tiny vehicle some heft where it matters. A slew of sophisticated driving aids are also included. Mechanically, the 2024 Impreza moves more easily and boldly than before, and the new RS trim level gets a more potent engine. And, sure, all-wheel drive is still standard.
What's under the hood of the Impreza?
The new Impreza’s hood will reveal one of two potential motors. The Base and Sport models are below the new RS and feature a 2.2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It produces the same amount of power as the basic engine in a Honda Civic hatchback, but it is less potent than the Civic’s supercharged upgrade engine or the 186-hp engine found in the Mazda 3 hatchback. Fortunately, the RS trim should even things out. It has a 22.5-liter, four-cylinder motor that produces 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine update available in Subaru’s Crosstrek compact SUV.
Power from either engine is routed to the Impreza’s conventional all-wheel drive via a constantly variable gearbox (CVT). The Sport and RS versions receive a revised CVT with eight preset shift points and shift paddles to provide a more typically sporty driving experience. However, the Impreza no longer comes with a manual gearbox.
How does the Subaru Impreza drive?
The 2024 Impreza is agile and maneuverable around curves. This is particularly true for the Impreza Sport and RS, which both get a sport suspension and 18-inch rims. The suspension responds tight and securely to road bumps, and the steering gives you confidence in knowing how the vehicle will react. Subaru claims that the car’s handling and steering have been enhanced for 2024, and there’s little reason to question that assertion. The basic all-wheel-drive system on the Impreza is a pleasant addition for added stability in snowy or icy conditions.
The new 2.5-liter engine is exclusive to the RS, and in our view, this is the powerplant to get. The increased power over the base and sport models’ carryover 2.0-liter engine—previously characterized as “one of the car’s biggest failings—is obvious and welcomed. This is particularly true when you need to accelerate rapidly onto a highway or overtake a slow-moving car. Still, 186 horsepower isn’t much, and the engine’s 6,000-rpm redline imposes a 7 p.m. ban on the party otherwise promised by the RS’s sporty styling embellishments. Consider the RS a moderate hatch, not a heated hatch.
Subaru has not released performance figures for the new Impreza. The previous Impreza 2.0-liter accelerated to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds. More information will be available once the 2024 Impreza has been thoroughly tested in the coming months.
How are the cabin and technology of the Impreza?
Subaru has retained the general look of the previous-generation Impreza. There are simple controls, great forward and side vision, and traditional gauges. The front chairs are grippy and have enough bolstering to keep you in position while traveling aggressively. Interior space is average for a compact hatchback; basically, the Impreza’s interior is slightly larger than that of the Mazda 3 hatchback but slightly smaller than that of the Honda Civic.
Most people should be comfy up front, and the back seats can accommodate children or adults up to 6 feet tall. Installing a rear-facing infant safety device should also be simple. Subaru also likes to point out that many Impreza users drive their pets in their vehicles. We can’t confirm this claim, but reasoning dictates that the Impreza should suffice if you have pets.
Subaru’s big 11.6-inch vertically angled infotainment screen, which is standard on most of its current generation cars, is standard on the Sport and RS trims. This includes temperature control and other car function controls, as well as cellular smartphone communication for both Apple and Android phones. It reacts rapidly to touches and enables future software upgrades that can be performed remotely rather than at a dealership.
Subaru’s newest iteration of EyeSight, or its suite of sophisticated driver aids, is now standard on all Impreza versions. Improvements have been made to enable the systems to run faster and in a wider variety of circumstances. Adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane departure mitigation remain standard features. Models equipped with the available blind-spot detection system also have a new intervention aid feature, which may help steer the Impreza to prevent a forward accident at speeds under 50 mph.
How much cargo space does the Impreza have?
Subaru claims that the majority of previous Impreza purchasers chose the hatchback for its additional utility, so it went all in this time and ended the car. There are 20.4 cubic feet behind the back seats, or 56 cubic feet if they are folded down. The Civic hatchback has slightly more luggage room, but if freight capacity is important to you, you should definitely consider a crossover SUV.
Verdict
Essentially, the 2024 Impreza has a slew of minor upgrades but nothing that will shock the internet. Improved handling, improved advanced driving aids, a larger display, and a more potent engine choice are certain to keep the Impreza at the top of the list for many Subaru customers. However, we also advise keeping a watch on the competitors. The Honda Civic hatchback is spacious and fuel-efficient, while the upscale Mazda 3 hatchback entices with possible all-wheel drive and a powerful turbocharged engine choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the mpg of a 2024 Subaru Impreza?
- How long does the motor in a Subaru Impreza last?
- Why is the Subaru Impreza so popular?
- What is the starting price for a 2024 Subaru Impreza?
Subaru predicts that the 2024 Impreza will get 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the interstate, and 30 mpg combined. When compared to the prior Impreza 5-door, highway mileage is actually lower. (35 mpg for the Sport trim and 36 mpg for all others). Subaru puts the 2.0-liter motor in the Impreza Base and Sport models for 2024.
According to numerous studies and user accounts, Subarus can travel between 150,000 and 200,000 miles and last for more than 15 years.
Consumer Reports named it one of the seven best new vehicles under $25,000. The peaceful interior, roominess, and user-friendly controls of the Impreza most impress them, and its ride comfort rivals that of some premium vehicles. In most jurisdictions, the minimum wage is $1,090. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder motor is paired to an unobtrusive continuously variable gearbox.
The 2024 Subaru Impreza will start at $22,995, which is $3,200 more than the 2023 iteration. Subaru also charges a required transportation fee of $1,090 in most states
