2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan Review

The 2019 Subaru Impreza sees further improvements being made to an already solid platform. The fifth generation Sedan drives home the message that the Impreza name has moved on from its auspicious but stereotyped motorsport heritage, and now offers buyers reliability, comfort and class-leading safety. The Impreza has new shoes to fill, and Subaru has improved its efforts with the 2019 lineup especially when it comes to build quality and interior specifications. The engine and gearbox department could use an overhaul, but we'll get to that in a second.

Impreza Sedan Exterior

It's refreshing to see that Subaru has sided with a mature looking design that doesn't shout look at me! Its understated looks, especially in sedan form, will be a hit or miss for most, but sometimes a bit of understated class is just what's needed in an ocean filled with straight angles and alien looking front ends. Items like halogen headlights are standard, with LED headlights on higher trims. Limited models get chrome detailing, while a sunroof is optional on the Premium model. 16-inch alloy wheels are standard fare, increased to 17-inch items for the Limited and 18-inch alloys on the Sport derivative.

Dimensions

The Impreza Sedan is 6.5 inches longer than the hatchback variant at 182.1 inches overall but shares the same width, height, and wheelbase of 70, 57.3, and 105.1 inches respectively. The 2.0i base weighs in at a feathery 2,974lbs while the Sport trim tips the scales as the heaviest trim with a curb weight of 3,131 lbs when equipped with an automatic transmission, four pounds lighter than the hatchback equivalent despite the additional length.

Exterior Colors

Like the Impreza hatchback, the Sedan boasts the same color palette of eight hues. Color choices include Crystal Black Silica, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, and Dark Blue Pearl, or if you're looking for something a little more striking, Island Blue Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, and Crystal White Pearl. Crimson Red is limited in availability to all but the Sport derivative, which gets its own unique Lithium Red Pearl shade.

Impreza Sedan Performance

Engine and Transmission

The Impreza Sedan's performance is, to put it lightly, stunted; it gets from 0 to 60 mph, eventually, clocking in a time of 9.4 seconds and thus making it one of the slowest compact sedans on the market. This is all thanks to an outdated and asthmatic 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Boxer four-cylinder pushing out 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed manual has a long throw and a rubbery, almost mushy feeling when swapping cogs. It's not Subaru's best effort, and the CVT automatic should be your first choice, even though it's not the best either. It does, however, do a better job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot, allowing to merge and overtake with more confidence. A key selling point, however, and one that may appeal to those in colder climate regions, is that every Impreza boasts permanent all-wheel drive, something no other rival offers.

Handling and Driving Impressions

If we're honest, Subaru's permanent all-wheel-drive system is one of the most important aspects drawing buyers into a vehicle like the Impreza sedan, providing high levels of grip in adverse conditions. But it backs this up with impeccable road manners and impressive road-holding. On the road, the Impreza Sedan soaks up bumps and imperfections and delivers an overall ride that seems more premium than entry-level. The 16-inch all-season tires are more than capable of keeping the Impreza in check when things get a bit hairy, and even when riding on larger wheels, it maintains impressive levels of comfort. The Impreza's steering is light, perfect for in town driving, but is precise, and it will go where you point, but it lacks feedback, even if responses are accurate.

Impreza Sedan Gas Mileage

The Impreza Sedan offers decent gas mileage for its class. The 2.0-liter boxer accompanied by the five-speed manual is surprisingly thirsty, and the EPA quotes estimates of 24/32/27 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. The CVT equipped car returns better numbers, due to the engine being kept in the most efficient rev-range, with estimates pegged at 28/38/32 mpg in the most efficient Premium trim. Figures are impressive, but even more so when considering rivals only drive one axle while the Impreza powers both the front and rear wheels. Fuel capacity for the Impreza Sedan is 13.2 gallons, seeing the CVT-equipped Premium sedan return a range of 422 miles in mixed driving conditions on a full tank of 87 octane unleaded gasoline.

Impreza Sedan Interior

Seating and Interior Space

The four-door Impreza sedan seats five occupants in its typical three-box shape. Front passengers get a decent amount of legroom, and taller drivers will be happy to know that front headroom won't be an issue. A decent range of seating adjustment sees it easy to find an optimal driving position, with good visibility all around. However, the rear passengers won't be as well accommodated, as even though there's an abundance of legroom and shoulder room, the roofline cuts low making it an uncomfortable fit for any adult above average height. Generally speaking, the Impreza's seats are comfortable and offer a fair amount of bolstering as well as long-distance comfort. Styling is sedated but practical, and overall, the material quality is decent with a fair amount of soft-touch paneling.

Impreza Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Overall, cargo space is a strong point for the Impreza, and the Sedan's trunk space measures in at 12.3 cubic feet, big enough for a large shopping run or about two standard suitcases. The rear seats offer split folding capability to enable the loading of longer items, but ultimately, the sedan is less practical than the hatchback Impreza. Inside, the Impreza Sedan comes standard with a center console with armrest bin, a sizable glove box, dual cupholders in the center console, and a single bottle holder in each door panel with fairly large door pockets also practical for small item storage.

Features

The 2019 Impreza Sedan spoils you with a basket of new tech that you'd expect to see in higher priced cars. The 2.0i base model comes equipped with electronic cruise control and a manually adjustable air conditioning system, while the Premium benefits from an optional power tilt and slide sunroof, heated front seats, and automatic headlights. The 2.0i Sport Sedan grips harder thanks to Active Torque Vectoring, while also receiving keyless entry. The 2.0i Limited is the most luxurious with its power adjustable leather interior, automatic climate control, and standard EyeSight driver assist systems. Available optionally on all lesser models, EyeSight incorporates pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Infotainment

2019 has seen the Impreza's infotainment displays grow in size and functionality and now features full Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The base 2.0i gets a Starlink 6.5-inch multimedia system incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as AM/FM/USB/Bluetooth/auxiliary inputs, with four speakers. The Premium 2.0i is graced with a 6.5 Starlink Plus system that adds an extra pair of speakers and navigation functionality, while also giving users SiriusXM and HD radio functionality. The range-topping eight-inch system is standard on Sport and Limited trims with a larger screen and enhanced functionality.

Impreza Sedan Problems and Reliability

We're happy to report that the 2019 Impreza Sedan, and indeed no model year of the current generation, have any recalls listed against them, marking an improvement in reliability compared to Imprezas of old. J.D Power hasn't scored the car as of yet, but for 2018 it scored 73 out of 100 on their overall reliability rating, placing it squarely amidst the pack of rivals as average, no small feat in a competitive segment. The Impreza Sedan is backed by a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty.

Warranty

Impreza Sedan Safety

Subaru is offering some of the safest cars on the market at the moment, and the 2019 Impreza Sedan is no different, scoring a perfect five out of five overall on the NHTSA rating system. The IIHS awarded it highly as well, bestowing upon it the title of 2019 Top Safety Pick +, its highest available honor. The high ratings are due to a full suite of seven airbags, including a driver knee airbag, as well as the availability of EyeSight driver assistance systems like automatic collision braking and lane keeping assist right from the base model Impreza Sedan.

Verdict: Is The 2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan A Good car?

All in all, it is. Sure it's compromised, but what car isn't? Rear headroom, lackluster engines, and so-so gearbox options detract from what is otherwise a superbly handling, comfortable and ultra safe compact sedan that's easy to live with. A strong feature list and a great infotainment system make the inside of the Impreza a nice place to be, and a big bonus is the all-wheel-drive system which makes the Impreza Sedan even more practical than its front-wheel-drive rivals. Our choice would be the 2.0i Sport, which gets all the features you'd find on the 2.0i Premium but adds styling touches such as larger 18-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a larger eight-inch Starlink Infotainment system, not to mention the addition of Active Torque Vectoring. All of these extras will only cost you an extra $600.

What's the Price of 2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan?

The 2019 Impreza Sedan starts at an MSRP of $18,595 in base trim, and the better specced Premium version will set you back $21,595 while the 2.0i Sport costs $22,195 - all excluding tax, licensing, registration and an $885 destination fee. At the top of the line-up, the Limited will set you back $25,190 - $500 less than its hatchback counterpart.

What Subaru Impreza Sedan Model Should I Buy?

The Impreza Sedan has an impressive list of standard and optional equipment, giving buyers a range of choice. For those who are looking for a simple runaround, the base model will work just fine, but the Premium trim equipped with the CVT gearbox offers exceptional value for money, with greater functionality, the addition of heated front seats and an available sunroof, and it makes the Impreza cheaper to run thanks to its superior mileage estimates. A must-have is the optional EyeSight driver assistance suite, giving it top-quality safety systems as well. The Sport Sedan adds to the handling attributes and equips the Impreza with styling tweaks like 18-inch wheels and a spoiler, as well as a larger infotainment system, while the top-of-the-range Limited packs in LED headlights, automatic climate control, power adjustable seats, standard EyeSight safety systems and a range of other extras that may push things beyond your budget.

2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan Comparisons

2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan vs Honda Civic Sedan

Sizing up against the perennial Civic will always be an intimidating task, but the 2019 Impreza Sedan holds its own and manages to beat the Civic in some rather important categories. The latest Civic is a well-balanced car that offers a sportier ride than the Impreza, although the Subaru feels more planted thanks to its four-wheel-drive system and supple chassis tune. The Civic's engine and gearboxes outperform the Impreza's by a fair margin thanks to a turbocharged option, slicker shifting manuals, and a more precise CVT auto. Fuel consumption figures for the base manuals is comparable, but the Civic narrowly beats the Impreza when comparing CVT's. The Impreza performs better in terms of passenger safety, and has, objectively, a better infotainment system and general dash layout. The base model Civic starts off at an MSRP of $21,450, almost $3,000 dearer than the base Impreza, but it's a better all-rounder not let down by a poor powertrain that is more than enough to sway our decision in favor of the Honda.

2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan vs Mazda 3 Sedan

For nearly three decades, the Impreza was the go to if you were looking for an AWD driver-focused compact sedan, so the introduction of the Mazda3 with the option of AWD has shaken things up a bit, taking the fight to the Impreza's doorstep. Mazda has sculpted a beautifully sleek, yet modernly crisp sedan that makes Subaru's conservatively styled sedan look drab, to say the least. This trend continues to the inside, where the Mazda3 blows the rest of the compact sedan class out of the water with an interior comparable to proper luxury sedans from the likes of Lexus and Audi. That doesn't mean a complete loss for the Impreza, whose interior, although more utilitarian in design, offers more space, especially in the back. Both cars have good road manners thanks to their respective AWD systems and impressive suspension setups. However, Mazda's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is considerably more powerful than the Impreza, giving buyers usable performance where it counts. That comes at the compromise of gas mileage, as the Impreza's CVT transmission is enough to see off the Mazda's traditional automatic by two mpg. The Subaru is some $5,500 cheaper than the Mazda3 at a base level, but the Mazda is a comprehensively better buy for everyone bar the rear passengers.