2024 Subaru Impreza Test Drive Review: Sporty Meets Practical, Sans The Spice

The Subaru Impreza enters its sixth technology for the 2024 mannequin 12 months with a number of adjustments. What hasn’t modified is that it’s nonetheless a enjoyable, sporty little automotive with the practicality of all-wheel drive as an ordinary characteristic. What it loses this 12 months is the sedan, leaving solely the 5-door hatchback, and the guide transmission which the model is shelving right here. That final bit makes us unhappy, however with fewer individuals choosing manuals, it was sure to occur finally.

What we achieve, nonetheless, takes a number of the sting out of that loss. There’s a brand new RS trim that will get added visible punch together with a extra highly effective engine – and we obtained to spend a while with it. The lineup additionally features a bigger infotainment touchscreen on all however the base trim and an up to date inside that brings it in keeping with the remainder of the Subaru lineup. This is what we discovered after every week with the Impreza.

Exterior: The Sporty Hatchback Will get Even Sportier

The brand new Impreza seems loads just like the outdated one, however higher. It will get a much more aggressive entrance finish with a bigger grille and sharper angles. It matches the aesthetic of a scorching hatch with out going too far. It’s a automotive that wishes you to have enjoyable, however is aware of you’re additionally a accountable grownup. Taken in profile or from the rear, variations are much less dramatic. That is an all-new technology, however it doesn’t stray too removed from its rapid predecessor.

Probably the most notable exterior adjustments occur within the new RS trim, pictured right here. It will get distinctive exterior components, together with daring RS badging on the entrance doorways and the hatchback, 18-inch darkish grey alloy wheels, upgraded LED headlights, and a black grill with matching aspect spoilers and aspect mirrors. It’s a pleasant dose of sportiness that makes the RS the one with all of the model.

Inside: A Collection Of Modest Upgrades

Subaru, even when it’s constructing just a little hatchback, makes its automobiles superb for the outdoorsy kind. Anybody who ceaselessly has muddy boots with a spare set within the trunk, doesn’t care if the canine wanders throughout the seats, and spends their days out within the wilds having fun with nature, will discover Subaru interiors as much as the problem.

This tough-wearing inside philosophy can be commonplace for the Impreza, which is each good and dangerous. We love that sturdiness, and we love that we do not have to fret that mud or muck goes to trash delicate inside trims. There’s many a automotive on the market with suede surfaces, fancy stitching, and open-pore wooden that don’t do effectively with the weather or spilled drinks. We are able to recognize the simplicity of the Impreza.

That mentioned, it isn’t particularly interesting, even after having spent every week with the highest trim within the lineup. The RS options inside upgrades with gunmetal and imitation carbon fiber trims together with sport seats in black with crimson bolsters. It will get the RS brand on the ground mats, steering wheel, and shifter, and aluminum alloy pedals. It seems high quality, however it doesn’t match the visible affect of what you’ll discover in a Honda Civic or a Mazda 3. However I wouldn’t need my canine in both of these, so, it’s a good commerce.

Seating: Room For 5, However Simply Barely

That is technically a 5-person car, however let’s be reasonable: At most, you’re going to need 4 in your Impreza, as a result of this isn’t a big automotive. That’s okay, as a result of if in case you have a giant household, you’re not purchasing on this section anyway. 4 individuals, nonetheless, can get surprisingly snug regardless of the Impreza’s small dimension. The entrance sports activities seats within the Impreza RS are snug with bolsters that maintain you in place with out being too tight. They had been additionally snug even after a number of hours behind the wheel.

We took a drive within the Impreza with 4 adults, one who was effectively over six toes. He adjusted the entrance seat in order that he had ample room and the particular person within the again nonetheless had sufficient legroom with out having to do this awkward sideways sitting place to maintain their knees from being squished. It may not work for an extended street journey, however in on a regular basis use, the again seats are snug and roomy.

* with non-compulsory moonroof; +1.1 inches with out

Cargo: Massive Room From A Little {Car}

We’ve at all times been a fan of hatchbacks, particularly for many who want the flexibility to hold cargo. Sedans don’t at all times permit for the bigger, awkwardly formed stuff that matches and not using a drawback in a hatchback. The Impreza affords 20.4 cubic toes behind the rear eats with 56 cubes when you fold them down.

That’s a number of room, however it falls wanting what’s behind the second row within the Honda Civic hatchback. The Toyota Corolla hatchback is available in decrease – until you select to ditch the spare tire – which places it forward of the Impreza. It may not be on the high of its class, however it nonetheless has a strong quantity of room for many who ceaselessly have cargo to hold.

Infotainment: A Bigger Display screen For The Prime Trims Solely

Subaru gave the Impreza an infotainment improve that features its Starlink multimedia system with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen together with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however it’s not accessible on the bottom trim. That one will get a twin seven-inch touchscreen setup with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Both method, it has key options, however the bigger display is basically the best way to go for a number of causes. There’s the wi-fi smartphone connectivity, which makes the cabin far much less cluttered and means you possibly can nonetheless join even in the event you neglect a cable. There’s additionally the bigger display itself, which makes the whole lot simpler from discovering apps to following navigation. It additionally simply seems higher. Two screens had been a factor for some time, however it’s a considerably outdated strategy.

Powertrain: A Selection Of Two Fuel Engines

The Base and Sport trims of the Subaru Impreza have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The RS has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Each are paired to a repeatedly variable computerized transmission, however the Sport and RS get an eight-speed guide mode together with paddle shifters that allow you to shift by yourself with out the pedals. There isn’t any guide transmission for both engine and all-wheel drive is commonplace.

Whereas each will do the job, the engine within the RS is clearly the extra enjoyable of the 2. Between the added energy and paddle shifters, it allows you to deal with the Impreza like a bit extra of a scorching hatch. It sits on the high of the lineup, nonetheless, which could put it out of attain for extra modest budgets. The excellent news is that gasoline financial system is straightforward in your pockets regardless of the engine. The bottom engine will get an EPA-estimated 27/34/30 mpg on the town/freeway/mixed cycles, with a drop of only one mile per gallon throughout all cycles for the extra highly effective engine.

Driving Impressions: Sporty – However Not A True Scorching Hatch

We spent our driving time within the RS, so we had probably the most performance-focused model of the Impreza that you could purchase at current. It undoubtedly regarded the half with the RS exterior badging and the crimson trim on the seats inside. Did it drive the half? Effectively, kind of. The two.5-liter engine is responsive and did a high quality job of merging into heavy site visitors, and the sport-tuned suspension allow us to take curves extra enthusiastically, however it’s not particularly fast.

It has a model of the dual-pinion digital energy steering rack discovered on the performance-focused WRX, which provides to its dealing with, and Subaru elevated torsional rigidity within the Impreza by 10 %, which suggests nothing to most individuals. What it does is let the suspension work higher, providing you with a smoother trip – and that does imply one thing. It’s a noticeable distinction in comparison with the prior technology and made the trip over bumps and potholes loads much less harsh. It’s additionally noticeably quieter than the prior technology.

Conclusion: Pricing and Verdict

The 2024 Subaru Impreza enters its sixth technology with a large number of small adjustments that subtly enhance this little automotive. The shortage of a sedan within the lineup will disappoint those that want a trunk, however the hatchback continues to be surprisingly roomy. Earlier than you write it off as being too small, take it out on a check drive and take a look at sitting within the again – it’s actually greater than it seems.

The opposite omission is a guide transmission, which is just a little more durable to let slide. A number of the enjoyable of driving a sporty little hatchback disappears when you possibly can’t row by means of the gears by yourself. There’s one thing visceral about that have that can’t be captured by paddle shifters. Regardless of this, we did take pleasure in driving the RS trim and located it an attractive and spirited drive.

A alternative of solely three trims contains the Base at $22,995, not together with $1,120 vacation spot. The Sport goes for $24,995 whereas the brand new RS is $27,885. This retains the entire lineup properly beneath $30,000, making this a terrific automotive for first-time patrons or anybody on a funds. We’d goal for a minimum of the Sport for its improved infotainment setup, which drastically improves the texture of the inside, but when efficiency is your precedence, go for the RS. Whereas not the most well liked hatchback you should buy, the Subaru Impreza delivers a pleasant mixture of efficiency and luxury together with the flexibility to handle cargo and a extra inexpensive value.