There used to be two versions of Subaru's Impreza — a sedan and a five-door hatchback.
Now there's just the hatchback.
Also gone is the manual transmission that used to be available in the Impreza. But there is a new engine upgrade for the Impreza that's shades of the WRX — the high-performance version of the Impreza — at a much-less-than-WRX price.
What It is
The Impreza is Subaru's entry-level small car.
It comes standard with at least two things that are hard to find in any other car, at least for $22,995 to start. That's the base price of the base trim Impreza hatchback, which comes standard with a horizontally opposed or "boxer" 2.0-liter engine and standard "symmetrical" all-wheel drive, by which Subaru means the drivetrain is equally split down the centerline of the car, with half the engine's weight on the left and the other on the right.
Subaru says this results in a lower center of gravity and better weight distribution, for better handling.
A Sport trim, which comes standard with the new 11.6-inch touch screen, a firmer suspension and a larger (18-inch) wheel/tire package, stickers for $24,995.
There's also a new RS trim, which centers on a larger, stronger (2.5-liter) engine that echoes the engine that used to be available in the WRX STi, which (for now) is no longer available.
What's New For 2024
The Impreza gets a makeover for the new model year that includes an updated interior and exterior, along with the new RS package.
What's Good
New RS package brings almost-WRX performance within reach of people who can't afford a WRX.
Very good gas mileage is standard.
Standard boxer engine has a unique personality that gives the Impreza personality.
What's Not So Good
CVT automatic is standard, and manual is no longer available.
Steep price increase for the base trim.
No more option to choose the sedan — and a lower price.
Under The Hood
The '24 Impreza comes standard with the same 2.0-liter, 152 horsepower four-cylinder engine that came standard in the '23 Impreza. It also comes standard with a continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission as the only available transmission.
While a manual is no longer available, a new optional engine is.
RS trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four that makes 182 horsepower. This version of the Impreza can get to 60 mph in a little over seven seconds, which is about two seconds sooner than non-RS Imprezas equipped with the smaller, less powerful 2.0-liter engine.
As always, all Imprezas come standard with all-wheel drive.
Subaru's system is one of those that does more than just shift the flow of power from front to rear, according to which wheels are slipping. This system can also modulate power flow to individual wheels, which is the reason why Subarus handle so well.
Most AWD systems are designed to keep you going — in a straight line — by preventing you from spinning your wheels on slick surfaces. Subaru's is designed to help you go faster in the curves, by using the application of engine power to correct for over or understeer.
On The Road
The new RS version of the Impreza equipped with the 2.5-liter engine sets this Impreza apart from its brethren. It is noteworthy to mention here the fact that the last-generation WRX STi was powered by a 2.5-liter engine that's akin to this one (the current WRX has a 2.0-liter engine, turbo-boosted to put distance between it and the 2.0 engine that's standard in the Impreza).
What that means is probably some of the go-fast stuff that made the WRX STi's 2.5-liter engine what it was could be used to make the Impreza's 2.5-liter engine what it could be.
And what it is already is pretty good, too.
Even with the CVT — because there's 30 more horsepower under the hood. At just shy of $28,000 to start, the RS isn't cheap — but it's also not expensive, as the WRX (let alone the WRX Sti) are.
The larger (18-inch) wheels and grippier tires that come with the RS (and also the Sport, which gets them, too — but not the 2.5-liter engine) and firmer suspension calibrations, plus the larger engine, make the RS a near WRX in the curves.
Add a turbo to the 2.5 engine and you could probably keep up with a WRX in the straights.
At The Curb
It's not hard to understand why Subaru decided not to update the sedan version of the Impreza. Though its lower price was attractive to people looking to save some money, its relative lack of space made it harder for people who needed something more practical than a commuter car or second car to buy it.
And that made it harder to sell it.
The hatchback sold better; Subaru made more money — and the rest, as they say, is history.
Well, the sedan is.
It had a 12.3-cubic foot trunk. The five-door hatchback has more than four times as much cargo-carrying capacity — 56 cubic feet with its second-row seats folded — and it still has almost twice as much with its second row up (20.9 cubic feet). Plus, the wider-opening hatchback layout allows all that space to be increased by leaving it open (if need be) to allow for the carting-home of longer items that won't otherwise fit.
The Rest
If you don't want Subaru's Eyesight system, which includes additional "advanced driver assistance technologies" such as a kind of creepy eye-tracking system that pesters you if the car thinks you're not looking where it thinks you ought to be looking — stick with the base trim, which does not include the Eyesight system.
The Bottom Line
The manual will be missed, especially by people who don't think you ought to have to give up driving fun when you drive an economy car. On the other hand, the new RS will be welcomed by people who would love to be able to drive a performance car that doesn't cost as much as a luxury car.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
View the Subaru Impreza this week.
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