2024 Subaru Impreza RS
Class: Compact Automotive
Coloration: Pure Pink
Seating capability: 5
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortB
Energy and PerformanceB
Match and FinishC
Gas EconomyB
ValueA
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup.
Huge & Tall Consolation
Huge GuyB
Tall GuyB
Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs182-horsepower 2.5-liter
Engine Type4-cylinder
Transmission CVT
Drive WheelsAWD
Miles pushed: 149
Noticed gasoline financial system: 24.8 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 26/33/29 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Base worth: $27,885 (not together with $1090 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: N/A
Worth as examined: $28,975
Fast Hits
The good: Greenback worth, enjoyable to drive
The great: Roomy cabin, normal AWD
The not so good: Funds-grade cabin supplies
Tom Appel:
Reality is, the Impreza has for years been wildly outsold by its mechanically related showroom mate, the Crosstrek. The smallest of the maker’s two automobile choices—each different Subaru is arguably a crossover—the Impreza was utterly redesigned for 2024, and is down one physique fashion and one trim degree consequently.
For 2022 (2023 numbers are usually not but posted) the Impreza was outsold by the Crosstrek by an almost 5-to-1 ratio; that robust is the ability of a lifted look, a roof rack, and a few bodyside cladding. And in fact, the little Crosstrek’s sporty/rugged look shouldn’t be solely interesting, however utterly consistent with Subaru’s free-spirit branding.
To simplify issues for 2024, the Impreza is now hatchback solely; there isn’t any longer a sedan variant. That leaves the midsize Legacy—which is massively outsold by its rugged-looking, mechanically related brother the Outback—as Subaru’s solely sedan. Be aware that the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are nonetheless supplied in each sedan and hatchback configurations, whereas the Nissan Sentra is obtainable solely as a sedan.
Take a look at Drive: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Additionally rendered simpler is the 2024 trim-level lineup, which has been diminished from 4 to a few choices. Gone are Premium and Restricted trims. The returning Base (beginning round $24,000), is joined by the brand new Sport ($26,000), and RS ($29,000). Subaru followers might recall the RS nameplate, which was final used on sporty Impreza fashions means again in 2005.
2022 Kia Forte GT: Take a look at Drive
Base and Sport variations of the Impreza are powered by a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The RS comes with a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4. All 2024 Imprezas are outfitted with a CVT-automatic transmission, the beforehand obtainable 6-speed guide is among the many issues misplaced for 2024.
Like all U.S.-market Subarus, save for the BRZ sporty coupe, all Imprezas include normal AWD. Distinctive to the Sport and RS is the model’s SI-Drive system, which, per Subaru, “is a sophisticated engine administration system with driver-selectable modes tailor-made to swimsuit totally different situations and totally different moods. SI-DRIVE® is the right answer for many who crave each sporty response and financial gasoline consumption, taking car efficiency to an all-new degree.” So there.
Sport and RS fashions additionally characteristic bigger front-brake rotors, and sportier suspension tuning, together with the addition of a rear stabilizer bar. Additionally, Sport and RS fashions are distinguished by 18-inch enable wheels (designs distinctive to every mannequin) versus 16-inch alloy wheels on the Base.
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS in Pure Pink. Our take a look at automobile was outfitted with no extra-cost choices and got here to $28,975, together with vacation spot cost.
As a result of that is largely a positive overview, we’d wish to get our main criticism out of the way in which first: The Impreza cabin, even in RS trim, is reasonable wanting relative to the competitors, particularly the Honda Civic. Now, that’s low-cost by 2024 requirements, which implies the cabin is ok, it simply trails most small vehicles when it comes to supplies high quality. Additionally, the cabin design is a bit odd. Whereas the sprint seems to be effective, and the controls all fall at hand logically, there’s simply an excessive amount of occurring inside. The entrance door panels particularly look confusingly overwrought, and cursed with an unappealing array intersecting strains and stampings, seemingly employed to masks the dearth of soft-touch supplies widespread in different small U.S.-market choices.
That stated, the remainder of the information right here is fairly good. The cabin is roomy up entrance, with loads of big-guy house, and a seating place that affords wonderful outward visibility and encourages sporty driving. Rear-seat house is a bit tight for bigger adults, however no extra so than different autos within the class.
Subaru’s “Starlink” digital interface touchscreen is each massive and simple to learn, and options clearly marked icons and a easy menu system.
Take a look at Drive: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R
It’s on the street, nevertheless, that the Impreza RS shines, and when you’ve got an urge for food for sporty character, you’ll respect the way in which this automobile feels underway. Beginning with the engine, which—although no powerhouse—delivers loads of energy from a cease, and sounds simply snarky sufficient spice of the visceral driving expertise. And, whereas we’re not typically followers of CVT automated transmissions, the Impreza’s shifter does a effective job of retaining the automobile’s 4-cylinder engine in its helpful powerband.
What driving fans will respect most concerning the Impreza is its thoughtfully tuned suspension and wonderful steering really feel. The RS is enjoyable to drive even in slower site visitors, and rewards quick blasts up and down freeway entry ramps and round Interstate cloverleafs. Agency-feeling, responsive brakes add to the automobile’s athletic character. Experience high quality too, is spectacular. The RS is comfy even over tough street surfaces, and has a classy, European-sedan really feel on the freeway, although cabin- and street noise at freeway velocity are considerably elevated relative to different vehicles within the class.
In routine driving that barely favored city commuting, we averaged 24.8 mpg, which appears affordable on condition that the Impreza RS does invite aggressive throttle use. Additionally price noting, the Impreza boasts a surprisingly massive 16.6-gallon gasoline tank. This compares to the 12.4- and 13.2-gallon tanks discovered on the Civic and Corolla respectively, and will enable the Impreza RS to cruise greater than 500 miles between gasoline stops on prolonged street journeys.
Essentially the most placing characteristic of the Impreza RS, nevertheless, is its cut price worth. For lower than $30,000, and for a 3rd lower than the transaction worth of a mean new car, fortunate shoppers can have a roomy, comfy, sporty, and relative fuel-efficient automobile that comes with wonderful normal AWD.
Sure, the Honda Civic is extra refined and boasts a slicker, extra upscale cabin, and Corolla extra gasoline environment friendly, and retains its legendary popularity for reliability, however the Impreza is extra enjoyable to drive, a cut price at each trim degree, and isn’t seen on each avenue nook. Whereas we’d by no means try to speak somebody out of buying the Honda or Toyota, we’d completely help anybody’s barely adventurous resolution to go along with the Impreza as an alternative. And no, it’s not a Crosstrek, it’s truly a greater worth.
Take a look at Drive: 2022 Hyundai Kona N
Comply with Tom on Twitter
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2024 Subaru Impreza RS Gallery
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
Meet the 2024 Shopper Information Greatest Buys
Shopper Information Automotive Stuff Podcast Episode 200: Automotive of the 12 months Finalists, Greatest Automobiles of 2023, Surviving Very Lengthy Drives
