2024 Subaru Impreza Hatchback First Look Review: That Don't Impreza Me Much
Once the basis for one of the most iconic rally-bred sports cars around, the Subaru Impreza has fallen from grace in a big way in years gone by. The 2024 Subaru Impreza has now been revealed, and in and amongst everything it's lost, we have to mourn the death of the sedan, the manual gearbox, and a WRX STI version that will not happen. What we're left with is a compact hatchback built on the Subaru Global Platform that goes toe-to-toe with best-sellers like the Honda Civic. And yet we're saddled with a CVT gearbox and two naturally aspirated engine choices. But in lieu of what we've lost, Subaru has revived the Impreza RS, giving us a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with 182 horsepower. You still don't get a manual, though. In a world where compact hatchbacks are a tougher sell than ever, can standard all-wheel drive compensate for everything else we've lost?
When is the 2024 Subaru Impreza Coming Out?
Revealed at the 2022 LA Auto Show, the 2024 Subaru Impreza's release date in the USA is set for spring 2023.
2024 Subaru Impreza Price and Rivals?
The price of the 2024 Subaru Impreza Hatchback has yet to be confirmed and will only be announced closer to when the car arrives at dealerships next year. It won't be as affordable as the current model, however, and will likely see an increase over the 2023's $21,595 base price on the CVT-equipped Impreza Hatch. The sportier RS trim will likely have a higher MSRP than the current range-topper, the Limited, at $27,395. The rivals to the 2024 Subaru Impreza include the evergreen Honda Civic and Civic Si, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3, all of which have set the bar incredibly high in the compact hatchback segment. Each of these is already more expensive than the current Impreza, with the Corolla starting at around $23k and the Civic at an even pricier $25,450.
New Subaru Impreza Hatchback Exterior and Colors
There's lots to lament about the new model, but the exterior of the Subaru Impreza Hatch is not one of those things. It's a visually attractive, if not particularly memorable, take on the five-door hatchback. The LED lights boast welcome functionality. Full specs for the 2024 Impreza lineup haven't been confirmed, but visual differences between trims will be present. Foglights, for example, are only added on the Sport and RS trims. These trims also get 18-inch alloy wheels (16 inches on the base model) in dark gray and black elements, which carry through to the grille, wing mirrors. The Impreza RS is the sole trim to get a power moonroof as standard, joined by enhanced LED headlights, LED fogs, and a black rear spoiler. As a halo color, the Impreza has been launched in Pure Red, but this has only been shown on the RS and may be trim-specific. Other colors for the Subaru Impreza will include a blue hue that was also showcased on a Sport model but without a name.
Subaru Impreza Dimensions
Built on the SGP modular architecture, the dimensions of the new Subaru Impreza Hatchback are similar to the outgoing model. At 176.2 inches, it's identical in length to the car it replaces but is marginally wider and taller at 70.1 and 58.3 inches, respectively. The 105.1-inch wheelbase remains the same. Given these figures, it's fair to assume curb weights will stay in the same ballpark as the outgoing version, which ranged from 2,989 pounds to 3,150 lbs.
Subaru Impreza Engine and Performance
A new engine for the Subaru Impreza is most welcome news. It comes in the form of the revival of the RS nomenclature and sees the range-topping derivative ship with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder Boxer engine boasting 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Comparatively, the base 2.0-liter Boxer produces only 152 hp and 145 lb-ft. Both motors send outputs to an all-wheel drive system, but the new generation has discontinued the manual gearbox in favor of a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), even on Sport and RS derivatives. On these, paddle shifters let you switch between eight predetermined ratios, and SI-Drive adds sportier driving modes to choose from. These derivatives are also enhanced with a sport-tuned suspension. Even the base model will benefit from a 10-percent increase in stiffness thanks to more structural adhesive in the chassis than before, while the WRX has donated its dual-pinion electronic power steering system.
Performance figures have not been provided, but we don't expect the Impreza to be very quick. 0-60 mph in the base model will likely arrive in around nine seconds, with the 2.5 RS shaving a couple of seconds off that. It won't be as quick as the Honda Civic Si, though.
Gas Mileage/Range
Gas mileage figures will only be officially claimed closer to the market release of the Impreza. Still, in base form, we don't foresee a big change compared to the current 2.0-liter variants, which consume 28/36/31 mpg city/highway/combined. The 2.5-liter motor in the RS is shared with the Crosstrek, in which it results in only minor variations of a single mile per gallon across all cycles. We expect a similar effect on the Impreza, so bank on 29-30 mpg combined.
Subaru Impreza Interior and Cargo
Now solely available in hatchback form, Subaru claims the interior of the Impreza has more space than a Toyota Corolla Hatchback at 120.9 cubic feet. That includes "ample head- and legroom," according to the brand, but the Subaru Impreza still seats only five occupants inside. Subaru claims interaction between occupants and the car is higher than before, not just through bigger touchscreens but through new seats to reduce fatigue and sound engineering to reduce certain frequencies within the cabin. There's no digital instrumentation to be found here, with Subaru relying on old-school analog gauges and a small digital trip meter between them. However, the infotainment screen is bigger than ever at 11.6 inches diagonally.
This portrait-oriented system - equipped only on the Sport and RS - is the latest Starlink multimedia platform with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, wireless charging, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, and an optional Harman Kardon sound system with 10 speakers and 432 watts of output. Best of all, it has physical knobs for volume control and climate settings.
Other feature highlights include 60/40-split folding rear seats, a dual-zone climate control system that focuses on individually occupied seats, push-button start, and updated EyeSight safety technology, which includes a new Automatic Emergency Steering feature to avoid a collision.
Subaru hasn't published the Impreza's cargo specs yet - but given its similar proportions to the outgoing hatch, we expect 20.8 cubic feet of trunk space or somewhere in the neighborhood thereof.
Final upholstery colors for the interior of the Subaru Impreza are still to be announced, but the RS gets premium sport interior cloth in black with red accents and contrast stitching, along with aluminum sport pedals.