2024 Subaru Impreza: The anti-SUV adds more road manners

PASO ROBLES, Calif. — The march to crossovers and SUVs continues as the U.S. light-vehicle market recovers from a chip shortage. But some consumers are still choosing to stay behind the wheel of a sedan or hatchback.

And as Detroit and some Japanese automakers abandon key car segments, other automakers see an opportunity. Notably, with light trucks driving much of the spike in new-vehicle sticker prices, some automakers are doubling down on cars as a value proposition.

Subaru has redesigned the Impreza compact for 2024 and addressed some of the car's biggest weaknesses, from road noise to better connectivity to more supportive seats. While the Impreza may never challenge the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for the compact car segment's sales crown, it does serve as an important gateway to the Subaru brand.

Subaru, citing forecasts by market analysts, says 1.3 million households remain interested and committed to compact cars, with sales forecast to rise slightly through 2025.

"Impreza owners specifically do not want an SUV, and Subaru customers are always about value for money," Garrick Goh, planning manager for the Impreza, said here during a media preview for the car. "But they still want a vehicle that handles poor road conditions and feels safe."

The Impreza sedan has been dropped, and a sporty RS model has been revived for the first time since 2007 — a nod to younger buyers. Subaru expects the RS variant to account for 25 percent of Impreza volume in the U.S.

The sixth-generation Impreza is available in three trims, down from four on the outgoing model, with base and midlevel Sport models powered by a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp and 145 pound-feet of torque.

The top-of-the-line RS model is equipped with a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and 178 pound-feet of torque. With the manual gearbox dropped for 2024, both engines are paired to a continuously variable transmission.

The car shares a platform with the Crosstrek, Subaru's popular subcompact crossover that has also been redesigned and upgraded for 2024.

The list of enhancements to the 2024 Impreza is a long one.

• Improved welding and a more reinforced structure with enhanced, high-strength steel that means a lighter chassis.
• Doors that open farther for greater access.
• More storage.
• There is more sound insulation to block out road noise and provide what Subaru says is a more pleasant car on longer trips.
• Seats that heat faster and get hotter.
• A washer for the rear camera monitor.
• Bigger infotainment screens with wireless Apply CarPlay and Android Auto.
• While the wheelbase, length and ground clearance remain the same, the latest Impreza stands a little taller and weighs about 100 pounds more. A step pad built into the rear door sills allows greater access to the roof rack.

With a base price of $24,085, including shipping, Subaru says the 2024 Impreza remains one of the lowest priced cars with all-wheel drive. Subaru invited journalists to California's central coast in late March to drive the Impreza, and we've rounded up some reviews.

"Everyday driving is easy, pleasant, and comfortable in the Impreza RS, just as it should be. Thanks to a new dual-pinion steering rack borrowed from the WRX, a loosened center differential, and an increased flow of transfer case fluid, the electric power steering is sharp and well-weighted. Leave the car in Intelligent mode and the throttle mapping is smooth while the 8-speed CVT "shifts" (or adjusts ratios) seamlessly.

At highway speeds, the transmission holds the phantom eighth gear at around 2000 rpm doing 75 mph, allowing for it to match the claimed 33 mpg highway and 480-500 miles of range. Subaru also redesigned the suspension for 2024, featuring a 10% increase in damping and in torsional stiffness but a softer spring. This makes the ride noticeably plush for an economy car on 18-inch alloy wheels, though it also has its benefits when the road gets curvy.

Switch the drive mode into Sharp and the drivetrain livens up, with quicker shifts and a jumpy throttle. Even with new camshafts, the 2.5-liter boxer in the Impreza RS doesn't feel particularly quick and, paired with a CVT (paddle-shifted or not), the pained sound of a valvetrain working hard reminds the driver to have mercy. For context, the Civic EX's 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder has a similar level of power but feels faster and provides its torque much earlier in the power band.

Still, the lack of low-end power can be forgiven, once you chuck the RS into a corner."

— Emmet White, Autoweek

"The 2.5-liter housed in the RS is a version of the same engine found in other Subarus like the Crosstrek, reworked relative to the base engine to deliver maximum torque sooner than later. Even so, getting up to speed in the Impreza takes a bit of time. From a standstill, our casual and impromptu zero to 60 test took long enough for me to look out the window, daydream, and glance back in time to see the speedo hit its mark.

Once you've got enough momentum, though, the Impreza's handling is quite rewarding. Find the right stretch of road and the Impreza obliges in your rally-stage fantasies with quick inputs and confident footing. Much of what the Subaru delivers hinges on increased rigidity, and thankfully it delivers on that front.

From there, choices like bolting seat rails directly to the chassis and the dual-pinion steering go further to connect the driver to the car, mitigating any floaty disconnect and making input response near-instant. The structural enhancements allowed Subaru to soften the ride without a loss in performance, so the hatchback is tight through undulating road surfaces without any teeth-rattling.

From sunbaked tarmac to loose gravel, the Impreza's AWD kept a tight grip on the road, only falling short when it came time to power out of bends. In these instances, I wished for a more responsive transmission rather than extra grunt. Left on its own, the CVT was serviceable in a sporty setting but couldn't really be rushed."

— Alex Kalogiannis, motor1.com

"The 2024 Impreza has impressive road manners. As part of a Subaru-hosted media event, the Impreza test-drive route meandered through California's Central Coast wine country. And true to Subaru's pitch, my Impreza RS test car provided a sturdy, well-tuned ride that matched the pleasing scenery.

There was body stiffness where needed, and the braking was on point. The bolted-down seats offered a noticeable connection to the driving feel. Seats have bolstering but not aggressively so, and ergonomics from the driver's seat were just right. With the steering-wheel-mounted controls and multi-function digital cluster, I sparingly utilized the Impreza's touchscreen. I did so only when looking for the auto start/stop setting (buried within the vehicle settings menu) and adjusting the air conditioning (before my driving partner pointed out the physical buttons).

Unfortunately, all the thoughtful tuning cannot hide how much of a drag the CVT is. California has excellent mountain roads with plenty of elevation changes and blind corners. And they are fun to drive, but not in the Impreza. The CVT plays a constant guessing game with the gearing, which robs the Impreza and the driver of any spirited driving.

For example, the Impreza is a solid performer when it comes to hugging the turns on those curvy canyon roads. But the acceleration is not there when completing the corner and opening the throttle. It's like driving with a rubber band attached. By the time the power catches up, oh, look, it's another corner."

— Beverly Braga. J.D. Power

"While parts of the new Impreza got tougher, others have relaxed. A newer dual-pinion electric power steering rack, similar to what's used in the WRX, has lightened the steering effort. The Impreza also switched to an electronic brake booster, which has resulted in a lighter pedal effort. The brake-based torque vectoring, previously only offered on more expensive Imprezas, is now standard across the updated three-trim lineup.

... It's not as exciting to drive as the Honda Civic, and its interior isn't as lavish as the leather-lined Mazda 3, but the Impreza is one of the most affordable ways to get all-wheel drive, and it's a great tool to get you places. If the old Impreza was a Clif Bar, the new one is a Clif Bar with chocolate chips — still basic, but with a little more taste."

— Austin Irwin, Car and Driver

"I was worried that this more sturdy-sounding Impreza had lost some of its innocence, some of its carefree attitude. Before I could weigh in on its entire vibe, I was surprised. The stiffer chassis might have made it dreadfully more robust, but it also allowed Subaru engineers to make the springs softer. Even in this 2.5 RS I was taken aback. This car is comfortable. It's oddly nice to be in, particularly on a bumpy, winding, undulating mountain road. My driving partner, Emmet White, from our partner publication Autoweek, at first wondered if it was all just this particular stretch of well-paved road that Subaru picked out for us to drive."

— Raphael Orlove, Road & Track

"Most customers who sit inside the Impreza will be pleasantly surprised. Subaru gave the interior a noticeable leap in build quality, design, and comfort. There are surprisingly few cheap or scratchy plastics throughout the cabin, despite the top-spec Impreza RS starting at under $30,000. All of the materials that you regularly see and/or touch are made from pretty high-quality materials, such as soft-touch plastics. The RS's unique fabric seats are also lovely, with a great blend of comfort and support and a sporty design, and there are more places for Nalgene water bottles than a Dick's Sporting Goods.

Subaru also upgraded the infotainment system. The base model comes standard with two seven-inch touchscreens; an upper display for infotainment and a lower screen for climate controls. Upgrading to either the Sport or RS trims gets you a single 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, with crisp graphics and some physical climate controls.

— Nico DeMattia, The Drive

"The biggest changes to the Impreza are the ones you'll notice behind the wheel. Subaru worked hard to give the new car a quiet, smooth ride, and it worked. The new Impreza is much more solid on the road, cornering without body roll, and soaking up bumps and road noise.

The 2.5-liter engine provides plenty of power, generally delivering a sporty yet civilized driving experience. When you compare the Impreza to other hatchbacks at or near the same price point, take care to note if the cars are boomy inside, and whether they feel light and tinny. The Impreza definitely feels a step above."

— Jeff Zurschmeide, The Detroit Bureau