Subaru has had all manner of interesting models in the past, like the little Brat pickup or unique SVX sport coupe, but the Impreza has outlived them all as the oldest nameplate in the lineup. Introduced more than 30 years ago, the compact Impreza moves into its sixth generation for the 2024 model year, continuing its formula of offering the benefit of all-wheel drive (AWD) in a well-equipped, low-priced vehicle.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 Subaru Impreza receives a significant update, with a refreshed exterior look, a new infotainment system, and a range of interior upgrades. Subaru also adds a new RS trim level to the lineup, delivering sportier styling and a more powerful engine. Alas, a manual transmission won't be available; Subaru no longer offers an Impreza with three pedals. The 2024 model year also sees the end of the Impreza sedan, with all trims offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback.
The 2024 Subaru Impreza has three trim levels: Base, Sport, and RS. Of course, AWD is standard on all Imprezas. Prices range from around $24,000 to around $29,000, including the destination charge.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Subaru Impreza RS with no additional options. The test vehicle's price was $29,005, including the $1,120 destination charge to ship the hatchback from the Lafayette, Indiana, assembly plant to your local dealership.
Photo: Perry Stern
The new Impreza RS stands out from the rest of the lineup with a sportier-looking exterior, and this sportiness carries into the cabin. The black cloth seats feature a stylish pattern with red bolsters and red stitching on the steering wheel, gear selector, and doors. The aluminum-alloy pedals complete the sporty look.
Not only are the seats stylish, but they also provide good support with nice padding and bolstering. Front seats are heated and operated via toggle switches in the center console with high and low settings. These switches are a bit of a throwback, looking very much like the seat heater controls from my 1996 Subaru Outback. I guess you stick with what works.
For 2024, the Impreza is available with an all-new 11.6-inch vertical center display screen that dominates the dashboard and gives the entry-level car a premium vibe. While almost all controls are on the touchscreen display, Subaru retained physical controls for volume, tuning, and temperature adjustment alongside the screen. This setup is straightforward and easy to use, all within quick reach of the driver.
It seems like there could be more storage available in the center console between the front seats, but the cupholders and bin under the armrest provide a useful space for keeping smaller items. Pockets in the doors are large enough to handle big water bottles.
The Impreza’s rear seat is surprisingly spacious for a compact hatchback, with almost two more inches of legroom than a Toyota Corolla. Seats have the same black and red style as up front and are just as comfortable.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Impreza gets an all-new Starlink infotainment system for 2024 that uses dual 7-inch screens on the base trim while the Sport and RS get the new 11.6-inch vertical display. Features of the system include:
The new touchscreen is clear and easy to navigate with large icons on the Home screen. The digital climate controls and shortcuts to the Home screen, communications, and vehicle settings remain static at the bottom of the display. Additional vehicle data appears at the top in a separate section.
I quickly connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth and approved launching Android Auto. Phone integration is especially useful in the Impreza, as no native navigation system is available. The shortcuts mentioned above remain even when Android Auto is operating, making it easy to return to the native system.
As an alternative to using the touchscreen display, the Impreza has a reasonably good voice interface. Activated via a button on the steering wheel, I told the system I was cold, and it responded by raising the cabin temperature by five degrees. I also used the voice interface to change the audio source, select a SiriusXM station, and call my wife.
When Android Auto is connected, holding the voice activation button for a few seconds brings up Google Assistant. While Google Assistant can't affect vehicle functions like climate control, it can set a navigation destination or play music requests on Spotify.
Photo: Perry Stern
Powering the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Subaru's Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, featuring a manual mode that simulates an eight-speed automatic transmission with some success. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the RS at 29 mpg combined—considerably better than I was able to achieve.
In the late 1990s, Subaru introduced the 2.5 RS—a sporty version of the compact Impreza available before the WRX arrived in America. I had the opportunity to drive that car when it came out, and its fun-to-drive characteristics, which seemed out of place for an economy car, came to mind when I drove the newest Impreza RS.
From the moment I set out in the 2024 Impreza RS, I knew I liked this car. Even with the CVT, the Impreza moves quickly and has excellent throttle response. Heading out on my favorite drive loop, which takes me to Hell (Michigan) and back, I was immediately taken by this little car's precise steering and agile behavior.
No, the Impreza RS is not a sports car and is clearly a step below the more powerful Subaru WRX, but it is still great fun to drive. Tackling the twisty back roads, the Impreza is incredibly balanced and stable, begging you to push it faster through the corners. Subaru says the Impreza's chassis is 10-percent stiffer for the 2024 model year, undoubtedly contributing to the small car's impressive ride.
During my drive, I took a detour that led me down some high-speed dirt roads, and the Impreza was unphased. The AWD system provided all the grip I needed to stay on track, and when the traction control did activate going around a corner, it wasn't obtrusive. The ride did get rather bumpy, but this isn't an SUV, and it has a sport-tuned suspension, so the rough ride was not unexpected.
Returning to Dexter, Michigan, via I-94, the Impreza quickly accelerated up to the posted 70-mph speed limit. Under hard acceleration, the transmission simulates shifting through the gears, which works surprisingly well, providing a much more satisfying experience than typically delivered by a CVT.
The Impreza gets a bit noisy at speed, with some road and wind noise coming into the cabin. But it's not terribly intrusive; turning up the volume on the audio system easily masks the noise. My test car didn't have the optional Harman Kardon premium audio system. However, the standard six-speaker system was more than adequate.
Photo: Perry Stern
Subaru updated its EyeSight suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for the 2024 model year with a redesigned stereo camera that significantly widens the field of view. A monocular camera and electric brake booster also improve overall performance in a wider variety of conditions. Subaru says EyeSight can now detect pedestrians and bicyclists sooner, providing more time to apply the brakes if necessary.
EyeSight comes standard on all versions of the 2024 Subaru Impreza. It has the following features:
While driving on I-94, I activated the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering system and set my speed to 70 mph. The system did an excellent job of keeping the Impreza in the lane, providing enough steering input to stay where it was supposed to even while going around curves. The Impreza smoothly slowed when I approached a slower vehicle, and it resumed the set speed when I changed to an open lane. Subaru clarifies that this is not a hands-free autonomous system, and the driver gets an audible and visible warning if the steering wheel does not detect any input.
The system works just as well cruising at 45 mph on two-lane highways. When I came upon a stop light, the car ahead stopped, and the Impreza came slowly to a halt behind it. When the vehicle ahead began moving, I was alerted that it had moved and that I could proceed—a nice feature that helps avoid getting honked at by impatient drivers.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 Subaru Impreza is not a big vehicle but offers reasonable cargo-carrying ability. Opening the rear hatch reveals almost 20 cubic feet of storage space with tie-down hooks to secure cargo and a retractable cover to keep items secure. Folding the 60/40 split rear seats increases the available space to 54.7 cubic feet.
According to the EPA, the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS gets 29 mpg combined with an expected driving range of 481 miles. Meanwhile, the Base and Sport trims are slightly more efficient with their lesser-powered engine, with an estimated 30 mpg combined and a 498-mile driving range. During my time in the Impreza RS, the trip computer indicated 27 mpg, slightly less than the EPA estimates.
The 2024 Subaru Impreza earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 calendar year, earning the highest Good rating in every crashworthiness category. The Impreza also performed well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crashworthiness tests, earning the highest-possible five-star overall safety rating.
The 2024 Subaru Impreza is available in three trim levels. The base Impreza has a starting price of $22,995, while the Impreza Sport bumps up to $24,995. The new Impreza RS starts at $27,885. Prices don't include the $1,120 destination charge.
In the JD Power 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Kia Forte ranks highest in the Compact Car segment. The Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Jetta are the next highest-ranked models.
In the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Kia Forte ranks highest in the Compact Car segment. The Volkswagen Golf and the Hyundai Elantra are the next highest-ranked models.
Other competitors to the 2024 Impreza include the Mazda Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla.
Photo: Perry Stern
Although it may be America's lowest-priced all-wheel-drive new vehicle, the Subaru Impreza doesn't feel cheap. It boasts excellent safety ratings, a comfortable, spacious cabin, and an extensive standard feature list.
With the styling updates and the new technology upgrades for the 2024 model year, the Impreza has become an even better value. I am especially delighted by the return of the Impreza RS, which adds just enough power and sportiness to make this small hatchback great fun to drive. There aren't many AWD passenger cars (not SUVs) available in America, but the Impreza is one of the best.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for jdpower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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