2020 Subaru Impreza

Overview

For all-wheel-drive all-weather confidence, there are few compacts available to fill that need—and the most obvious choice is the Impreza. While rivals such as the Mazda 3 and the hybrid Toyota Prius offer all-wheel drive as an option, Subaru makes it standard on the Impreza, which is offered either as a sedan or a hatchback. Its styling is handsome—if a little anonymous—and the interior is both roomy and practical. Great crash-test ratings and affordable driver-assistance features give the Subaru a head start with safety-conscious buyers. If the 2020 Impreza has faults, they're almost entirely related to its powertrain: All models get the same, meek four-cylinder engine that pairs to either a notchy five-speed manual or a power-sapping continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#13 in Best Compact Cars for 2020

1

Honda Civic

STARTING AT: $20,995

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2

Mazda Mazda 3

STARTING AT: $22,445

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3

Volkswagen Golf

STARTING AT: $24,115

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4

Honda Insight

STARTING AT: $23,925

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5

Toyota Corolla

STARTING AT: $20,430

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13

Subaru Impreza

STARTING AT: $19,595

SHOP Impreza

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What's New for 2020?

Subaru has given the Impreza a very slight facelift for 2020 by restyling the front bumper and grille, and by updating the head- and taillights on certain models. Sport and Limited models both get new wheel designs as well as new driver-selectable driving modes; all models now come with automatic door locks, Ocean Blue Pearl joins the color palette and the USB and auxiliary port have been moved to the front of the center console. New upholstery covers the door panels and seats of the Sport model and the available EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features now includes Subaru's more advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering feature.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Go with the Premium model to get the best bang for your buck; standard equipment on the Premium trim includes 16-inch wheels, heated exterior mirrors with body-color mirror caps, a de-icer for the windshield wipers, heated front seats, automatic headlamps, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. We'd also suggest the hatchback model for maximum practicality.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Impreza is a tortoise in a class of hares, with a four-cylinder engine that makes 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. With little low-end punch, the Impreza requires considerable goading to keep the engine where it needs to be to make power. Although the five-speed manual transmission on our Impreza Sport sedan performed less lethargically at our test track compared with the CVT of our long-term Sport hatch. The Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Impreza strikes a near-perfect balance between ride and handling. The body doesn't lean in turns and the quick steering gives the compact car an additional sense of verve. We found the Impreza Sport's relatively firm brake pedal and short stopping distance during emergency-braking situations to be exemplary for the class.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Choose any Impreza with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and you'll be thoroughly impressed with this all-wheel-drive compact car's fuel economy. Opt for the manual transmission, though, and you'll visit your local gas station more frequently. Regardless of trim, the stick-shift Impreza's fuel economy is subpar for its class. Our manual-equipped Impreza Sport sedan was particularly inefficient, managing 30 mpg in our real-world highway fuel-economy test. For context, the nonhybrid Toyota Corolla managed an impressive 41 mpg, albeit with an automatic transmission.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Impreza's interior may be short on style, but it is tops in its design. Easy-to-read gauges, simple controls, and an intuitive climate-control system make the Impreza easy to operate. Additionally, the Impreza's cabin benefits from soft-touch plastics, cushy armrests, and impressive fit and finish. Its interior space is class competitive, and taller drivers will appreciate the model's ample front-seat legroom. The cargo areas of both the Impreza sedan and hatchback are on the smaller side of the class. Still, both body styles benefit from a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat that allows for additional cargo storage. Limited storage cubbies within the Impreza's cabin means that there are few places to store smaller personal items.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Impreza includes key infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While base and Premium-level models feature a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Sport and Limited models are equipped with a bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen. Both systems boast logical menu structures and crisp graphics.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

Every Impreza earns top marks in crash tests conducted by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS is based on vehicles equipped with Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, which is only available on models with the automatic transmission. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Impreza's warranty is average for this group of competitors. Buyers who value extensive warranty coverage would be wise to look at the Hyundai Elantra or the Kia Forte.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance