2020 Subaru Impreza

Compact car segment is crowded with big names like Corolla, Civic, Cruze and more. However, if you live in the northwest or if you just want to look different, the Subaru Impreza can woo you with its standard All-Wheel Drive and iconic boxer engine. Even without AWD or exotic engine, the Impreza is a genuine alternative to those big names.

The Impreza, over its years of existence in the US, has been loved by the consumers because of its low depreciation value, great reliability and practicality. The Impreza does seem to do replicate the same qualities but let’s go deep into the review, to find out more about the Sedan.

The 2018 Subaru Impreza price ranges from $18,595 to $24,195 (5-door has a $500 premium across all trim). The engine stays same throughout the range – a 152 hp 2.0 L boxer 4 and AWD is standard (it is a Subaru after all). Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard too but the base and premium trim gets smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen (Sport and Limited trim gets 8.0-inch touchscreen).

The base Impreza 2.0i gets a 5 speed manual as standard (not recommended for its appalling fuel economy) and an optional CVT (recommended: $1000) that improves fuel efficiency considerably. Next is the Impreza Premium ($21,295) that adds a standard CVT with paddle shifters along with optional Moon-roof and more.

Trim	Base	Premium Sedan	Sport Sedan	Limited Sedan
MSRP	$19,995	$22,095	$23,495	$25,795
Features	5 Speed Manual Transmission	Adds these to Base Trim	Adds to or Upgrades from Premium Trim	Adds to or Upgrades from Premium Trim
	6.5” Starlink Multimedia System with 4 Speakers with Apple Car Play and Android Auto	6.5” Multimedia PLUS system with 6 Speaker	8.0” Multimedia System with 6 Speaker	8.0” Multimedia System with 6 Speakers
	Incline Start Assist	Heated Front Seats	body-coloured Side Rocker Spoilers	Eyesight Driver Assist Technology
	Tire Pressure Monitor	Starlink Safety, Security	Stainless Tip Exhaust	Fog Lights
	Rear Vision Camera	Paddle Shifters	Trunk Spoiler	Powered Driver’s Seats
	Electronic Power Assist Steering	Heated Side mirrors & windshield wiper de-icer	Active Torque Vectoring	Folding Rear Seat Armrest with 2 Cupholders
	16” Steel wheels with Covers	16” Aluminum Alloy Wheels	18” Aluminum Alloy Wheels	17” Aluminum Alloy Wheels
	Multi Reflector Halogen headlamps with DRL’s	Auto On/Off Headlamps	Roof Crossbar Mounting points	LED Steering Responsive Headlamps
	60/40 Split Flat folding rear seats	Lineartronic CVT transmission	5 Speed Manual Transmission	Lineartronic CVT transmission with 7 Speed Manual Control via Paddle Shifters
	Power Windows and Side mirrors		Integrated Turn Signal on ORVM	Automatic Climate Control
	Electronic Cruise Control		Red Contrast Stitching	High Beam Assist
	Steering Wheel Mounted Controls	body-coloured Side Folding Mirrors	Leather Wrapped Steering wheel and Gear Shift Handle	Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
	Manual Tilt/Telescopic adjust the Steering wheel		Aluminum Alloy Pedal Covers
	Front, Front Side Impact, Curtain and Driver Knee Airbags		Keyless Access with Push Button Start	Chrome Door handles

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The Premium trim is the one to go for as it gets all the features of the base trim along with the CVT transmission as standard. Also, it gets advanced safety features like lane assist, blind-spot monitoring that too at a low price.

The Impreza gets a single 2.0 Liter Naturally Aspirated Boxer 4 engine. Although the boxer engine may evoke Porsche in your mind, the power output will immediately turn you off. With 152 hp and 145 pounds-feet of torque, it bears no resemblance to those WRC Subarus. For comparison, the civics 1.5 L turbo 4 develops 174 hp.

That said, the engine responds crisply to the pedal inputs. The base Impreza and Impreza Sport get a 5-Speed manual as standard. The 5-speed manual transmission feels aged compared to the 6-speed manuals on the competition. However, a CVT is optional on these trims and standard on all other trims.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze LS Sedan
MSRP	$19,595	$20,240	$18,100	$18,700	$20,250	$20,240	$20,400
Engine	2.0L Boxer 4	1.4L Turbo Inline 4	2.0 L inline-four	1.8 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	1.4L Turbo Inline 4
Transmission	CVT	8 Speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	CVT	CVT	6-speed Auto	6 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	[email protected]	[email protected]	147hp @ 6200 rpm	132hp @ 6000 rpm	158hp @ 6500 rpm	155hp @ 6000 rpm	[email protected]
Torque	[email protected]	[email protected]	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm	128 [email protected]	138 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	150 lb.-ft. @4000 rpm	[email protected]

The Standard CVT transmission offers “dull” acceleration but this may be due to the fact that the same has been tuned for extracting better efficiency out of the Motor. Aside from this, the top end ‘limited’ trim comes with Paddle Shifters coupled to the CVT that allows the driver to take control of the gears via a 7 Speed Gear Mechanism.The new Subaru Impreza is at par with the performance of its competitors.

Acceleration 

Though a whole lot of improvements have been made to its older variants, the 2020 Impreza's acceleration is not something that would really impress you. Though it is packed with enough to get you zipping past traffic in the city, it remains rather unimpressive on highways. This drawback is mainly due to the Impreza's Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission, also called as the CVT.

The CVT, incorporated mainly to make driving in the city smoother and easier, lets the engine speed rise and fall more smoothly, without following the mechanics of the traditional automatic transmission. Though the Subaru Impreza pulls off an impressive 7-speed transmission under heavy throttle, it in a way slows acceleration. But on the plus side, when your foot goes to the floor, the CVT adjusts engine speed for optimum acceleration, and in the process reduces the noise that is otherwise produced in a conventional transmission.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
0-60 MPH(sec)	8.4	7.7	8.3	9.4	8.2	8.0	7.7
Quarter mile(sec)	17.4	16.0	16.4	17.2	16.3	16.2	16.3
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.5	5.2	10.2	9.8	8.4	11.2	5.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3034	2959	2767	2840	2742	2899	2870

One look and you can ascertain that the 2017 Subaru Impreza is not the fastest car among its competitors. While it does a 0-60 MPH in 8.4 seconds, the Jetta does it in 7.7 seconds, beating the Impreza with an impressive margin of 0.5seconds. Even the quarter-mile performance of the Impreza is not something to brag about. While the rest of its competitors clock it in under 16 seconds, the Impreza takes 17.4s.

Ride and Handling

Take the 2020 Subaru Impreza for a spin and you will notice how much driving this car reminds you of driving an Audi. Especially in the corners. The new rethought design and electrically assisted steering pull off an impressive ratio of 12.0:1, which enables a much smoother ride. The elaborate and sophisticated damping clips, along with the quicker steering ensures a smoother ride by soaking up the impacts with tolerance compliance. The suspension too is tastefully crafted to enhance the driving experience.

The car's centre of gravity has been lowered and the maker's say that this has cut the body roll in the Impreza by up to 50 per cent. Along with this, the active torque vectoring that has been designed to adjust the torque that is distributed to each wheel helps maximize the grip when constantly changing terrains. This creates tighter steering feel while cornering.

Braking

The makers of the Subaru Impreza have left nothing to chance when it comes to the performance and safety of the car. The Impreza comes with an automatic pre-collision braking system and reverse  automatic braking system that ensures the driver's safety.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Brake Front (in.)	11.6	11.5	10.3	10.8	10.2	10.7	10.8
Brake Rear (in.)	10.8	10.8	9.7	9.1	9.8	9.5	10.4
70-0 MPH (ft.)	120(60-0MPH)	191	182	183	180	179	110(60-0MPH)

The Subaru Impreza can stop from 60 MPH in 120 feet. That’s more than the Chevrolet Cruze and far slower than the Honda Civic. The braking performance is laudable and the pedal has a reassuring feel.

The Subaru Impreza sedan with CVT delivers 28 mpg in city and 38 mpg on the highway. These numbers are impressive for an AWD vehicle but the competitors deliver better results if you don’t need AWD. The 5-Speed Manual though delivers just 24 MPG in city and 32 MPG on the highway. These are horrible numbers for a compact car. 

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
MPG (city)	28	30	28	28	32	27	30
MPG (highway)	38	39	37	35	42	36	39
MPG (combined)	32	34	32	31	36	30	33
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	13.2	13.2	14	13.2	12.39	13.2	13.7

The Subaru Impreza's fuel economy ratings are not the best. While it offers 28 MPG in the city, the Honda Civic LX offers up to 32. On the highway too, while the Impreza offers 38 MPG, the Honda Civic LX offers an impressive 36 - the highest among its competitors. 

On the inside too, the 2020 Subaru Impreza is much more expressive than its previous models. With a plain, yet striking dashboard, console and other materials the car radiates a comfortable vide. The gauge cluster, the touchscreen display, and the console come enclosed in varying rectangular shapes with bevelled edges. And above the centre stack sits the secondary display. All in all, the interiors add a dash of character to the car.

The Subaru Impreza interior combines modernity and class with aplomb. The layout is simple and ergonomics are spot on. Every surface is tightly sculpted and most of the surface that are touched frequently are covered in soft-touch materials. The Subaru designers have used dark and light textures brilliantly.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/56.7/43.1	38.5/55.9/41.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	39.3/57.0/37.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	38.8/56.2/42.3	38.9/54.8/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/55.6/36.5	37.2/54/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/55.0/35.7	37.3/53.7/36.1

In short, from the multi-panel seats to the seats and the stitching along with the doors, the Impreza's cabin is lovely. As always, Subaru has tried to keep it simple. Almost everything inside this car can be easily operated without diverting the attention of the driver. While all its competitors can seat 5 people comfortably, the dimensions of the Impreza will go on to show that it offers the most spacious interiors.

Interior Features

Here is a list of the standout features in the Subaru Impreza :

• Cruise control
• Six-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• 8.0-inch touchscreen display
• Interior and exterior embellishments in matte silver, carbon-fibre, and chrome
• Keyless ignition
• Automatic climate control
• Leather-trimmed upholstery
• Navigation
• AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input
• keyless entry
• Seven airbags
• Rearview camera
• Standard remote steering-wheel audio controls
• Automatic hill-holder

Infotainment 

The base trim and Platinum trim gets 6.5-inch touchscreen while higher trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. The Starlink infotainment system offers a crisp response. Apart from these, the base trim gets 4 speaker audio system while all higher trim gets 6 speaker audio system as standard. For the audiophiles, Harman Kardon premium audio system is available as an option in Impreza Sport and Impreza Limited.

While there are basic utilities like audio jacks, a four-speaker audio system and more room for accessories. You also get :

• Android Auto and Apple Car Play
• Voice recognition and Control for Audio Controls and Telephony
• USB Port
• Four speaker audio system

Cargo Capacity

Subaru Impreza offers enough cargo space to get you going but it still is pretty small if you are looking to carry luggage for a weekend getaway. Additionally, the improved body style allows for additional cargo rails in the roof. One can add a variety of accessories to these rails, thereby creating more space.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Cargo Capacity (lbs.)	12.3	14.1	15.2	12.4	13.0	14.4	14.8

The Civic LX provides a cargo space better than any other cars in the competition and can adjust the luggage of a family of 4 pretty easily. Every rival car has a trunk bigger than the Impreza but there's one advantage that Impreza has is the 60/40 splitting seats allowing you to carry more luggage easily. 

The Subaru Impreza blends great road manners with great style. Sleeker and crisp in shape, it is 1.5 inches longer and wider and about an inch lower than its previous models. While the trademark hexagonal grille still features, the body lines along each side rise over the wheel well and fall along with the doors.

The window line also rises at the back and the lights, both front, and rear appear slightly big thanks to this new design. With a shape that is more fluid and the incorporation of accent lines to allow for a more 'sculptural' design of the body. This makes the Subaru Impreza a bit more fashion-forward than its predecessors. 

Model	Subaru Impreza	VW Jetta	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	2974	2767	2840	2724	2899	2844	2870
Length(in)	182.1	185.1	183.1	182.3	180.3	181.9	183.7
Width(in)	70.0	70.8	69.9	70.8	70.7	70.9	70.5
Height(in)	57.3	57.4	57.3	55.7	57.3	56.5	57.4
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	5.6	6.7	6.3	6.1	5.3	6.4
Wheelbase (in)	105.1	105.7	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3

In terms of the exterior dimensions, the Subaru Impreza is the heaviest among its competitors, with a curb weight of 2974 lbs. While it is the slimmest among its competitors with a width of just 70 inches, it is almost 2 inches taller in height than the Honda Civic LX. 

Since the 2020 Impreza remains mostly unchanged from the 2018 version, there are few visual distinctions between the 2 models. Some of the Exterior features that stand out in the Impreza includes

• 18” Aluminum Alloy Wheels
• LED Steering Responsive headlamps
• Heated Side mirrors with defrosting feature
• Chrome Door Handles
• Roof Crossbar mounting points
• Trunk Spoiler
• Single exhaust outlet with Stainless Tip

You leave all your worries at home when it comes to the safety of this car. The latest-gen Subaru Impreza comes standard with front, side and curtain airbags. Loaded with a plethora of safety features like blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and thanks to the new global platform, there are many just enhancements that ensure the driver's safety.

Not just that, the rigid structure and the shape of the car itself have been designed to withstand high-pressure impacts. With its own suite of automated safety systems that include adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking, Subaru wants to be at the forefront of safety in the automotive industry.

Safety features

• Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) EyeSight
• Driver Assist Technology
• Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
• Rear-Vision Camera Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• STARLINK Safety Plus enabled
• Automatic Collision Notification
• SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance
• Maintenance Notifications Monthly Vehicle Health Report
• Diagnostic Alerts Subaru advanced frontal airbag system with driver's and front passenger's airbags (SRS)12
• Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags (SRS)12
• Side-curtain airbags protecting front and rear outboard occupants (SRS)12 Driver's knee airbag (SRS)12
• Rollover sensor (SRS)12 Whiplash protection front seats with height-adjustable head restraints Three individual rear-seat head restraints Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with dual pretensioners and force limiters
• 3-point seatbelts at all rear seating positions. LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

Subaru Impreza vs Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is the most applauded compact car and for good reasons. It somehow offers fun-to-drive characteristics and great practicality in a single budget-friendly and efficient package. However, the Subaru Impreza is roomier, has the great interior quality and above all – has AWD.

The Civic's fuel efficiency, braking performance and other performance-related statics are all slightly better than the Subaru Impreza, but Subaru cars are known for their commitment to the drivers' safety. No wonder, the Impreza comes with a long list of safety features.

Subaru Impreza vs Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is the go-to car for driving enthusiasts. With its sublime handling, responsive powertrain and well-sorted suspension, there is little that’s as exciting as this tiny hatch. The tastefully made interior and sharp exterior will get praises. Now it’s practical too with roomy interiors and efficient engine. However, the Impreza is no less fun and its standard AWD is a definite USP.

Mazda is however yet to update the Mazda 3 for 2020 and is showing its age of late. The Subaru offers a Better infotainment System than the Mazda and the Mazda just can’t match the space offered by the Impreza on the Inside.

Subaru Impreza vs Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze differentiates itself with its pliant ride quality and upscale cabin appointments. The Cruze also looks very upscale from outside too and it’s American if that matters. So if you want to be hushed away in comfort, get the Cruze. The Impreza also offers great interior refinement and can entertain you when you choose to drive too.

Yet, the Chevrolet beats the Subaru with ease when it comes to acceleration. When it comes to braking, both cars perform almost the same. But when it comes to fuel economy, the Chevrolet does a much better job than the Subaru.

Subaru Impreza is somewhat distinct from your average compact car. It does excel in most of the matrices that define a compact car – low cost of ownership, practicality, technology, fuel efficiency, driveability, refined manners, and city-friendly characteristics. However, it has a quirky boxer 4 engine and standard AWD.

All these are backed up by Subaru’s excellent reliability. The Impreza is one of the slowest depreciating compact cars and has best in class interior space. It gets plenty of active safety features and driver assistance systems bundled in Subaru’s EyeSight. Also, Subaru Impreza gets a top crash rating from IIHS and NHTSA as well.