The trendy Subaru Impreza has all the time been an excellent automotive – not an particularly attention-grabbing one, however an excellent one. That is true of the brand new 2024 mannequin, which does not get a lot flashier however improves on the outgoing automotive in many of the ways in which matter. This new mannequin is healthier trying and a bit quieter, plus it’s fairly darn inexpensive with a base $24,115 asking value.
Upgrading to the RS mannequin, which provides a much bigger 2.5-liter engine and a few aesthetic tweaks, nonetheless prices lower than $30,000. The RS mannequin examined right here, which has a sunroof and fancy paint, is just $31,045. However the return of the RS badge to the Impreza vary in all probability gained’t be a smash hit with fanatics – for a couple of causes.
The excellent news is that this Impreza appears means higher than did final yr. The entrance finish has extra edge because of slimmer headlights and a wider grille, whereas the taillights boast a brand new angular design. The RS mannequin improves that already engaging styling with greater 18-inch wheels completed in darkish grey, and the non-compulsory Oasis Blue paint is well worth the $395 splurge.
And it’s a hatchback, which is uncommon today. The five-door provides some much-needed performance to the section with a stable 20.4 cubic ft of area behind the second row and 56.0 cubes with the second row folded flat. That’s greater than a Crosstrek (19.9 / 54.7), which is odd given the 2 share a bodyshell.
The brand new Impreza appears means higher than did final yr.
However when it comes to driving dynamics, the RS falls a bit flat. The larger 2.5-liter engine does give it some further go, versus the two.0-liter unit that is normal on all different trims. The Impreza RS has 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque as a substitute of the 152 hp and 145 lb-ft on the bottom mannequin. It accelerates with okay verve, however do not rely on the constantly variable transmission to be all that thrilling – or refined – because the Impreza whines its strategy to 60 miles per hour.
Chucking the Subaru right into a nook is decently enjoyable. The horizontally opposed engine provides the automotive a pleasant low heart of gravity whereas the suspension is squishy however well-sorted. Subaru made the Impreza’s chassis 10 p.c stiffer this yr, and that helps quash physique roll. The steering is electrically boosted to hell, as most Subarus are, but it surely does supply respectable suggestions at the very least.
Once you’re not flinging it round, the Impreza is compliant. Not solely is it extra inflexible this yr however quieter too; Subaru added further sound deadening for 2024. Whereas it definitely is not coffin-like, you will not need to yell at your passengers to have a dialog at 70 miles per hour. And having normal all-wheel drive makes the Impreza a wonderful alternative for consumers in inclement climate; the Mazda3 is the one different hatch that even gives it.
Simply do not rely on the constantly variable transmission to be all that thrilling – or refined…
The one draw back is that the inside feels low cost – no shock there, given the earlier Impreza’s flimsy-feeling cabin. The Honda Civic hatch and Mazda3 are each far more premium. Extra exhausting plastics are inside attain and glossy black stuff covers many of the heart console. A minimum of this RS mannequin gives cozy black and pink fabric seats.
The 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen is the focus of the cabin and it runs Subaru’s newest Starlink infotainment system. It appears nice, however the performance is fairly poor; contact responsiveness is gradual, the graphics already look outdated, and there is means an excessive amount of baked into the display – just like the HVAC controls on the base of the show. A minimum of Subaru had the wherewithal to maintain some exhausting buttons for issues like quantity, tuning, and temperature controls.
The Verdict: The 2024 Subaru Impreza is an effective financial system automotive, un-flashy as it might be. The five-door structure makes it an on the spot choice for consumers wanting an inexpensive automotive with further area, and all-wheel drive makes it an excellent choice for inclement climate. However the historic RS badge barely provides something to the equation past energy; the driving dynamics are simply okay and you’ll have to accept sub-par inside high quality and so-so acceleration. That is the worth you pay if you’re solely shelling out lower than $30,000.