All-New 2024 Subaru Impreza: A Hatchback in a Sedan World – Kelley Blue Book

• Subaru has not announced pricing for the 2024 Impreza. We expect a starting price in the low $20,000 range.
• The 2024 Impreza is all-new, but most trims use the same 152-horsepower engine as the current model.
• It will be available only as a hatchback.

Subaru hangs its hat on zigging when everyone else zags — yet being an oddball works for the Japanese automaker, which has carved out a niche for itself when everyone else tries to be everything to everyone.

So perhaps it’s fitting that, in a world where many automakers have trimmed small hatchbacks from their lineups in favor of sedans, Subaru has stamped out its small sedan in favor of a hatchback.

Subaru used today’s Los Angeles Auto Show to reveal an all-new 2024 Impreza small car. It will be offered only in a 5-door configuration.

The Impreza on sales lots today is fine, but little distinguishes it in a field of compact cars that are all fine. It’s the one with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), which makes it a great choice where snow is common. But its meager 152-horsepower engine and slightly dated cabin send a lot of buyers to look at the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla instead.

For 2024, Subaru will try to change their minds with an updated design and the option for more power.

Restrained Look Outside, New Tech Inside

The all-new Impreza wears an understated design. It shares obvious DNA with the off-road wagons that make up much of the Subaru lineup, like the Outback and Crosstrek. The family hexagonal shield grille is here, with character lines drawing back through the hood from its upper corners.

The roofline slopes down toward the tailgate, and slight shoulder bulges characterize the rear fenders. However, the look lacks any truly distinguishing features.

Inside, a technology update is the biggest news. The Impreza is now available with an 11.6-inch, portrait-mounted central touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The system is capable of receiving over-the-air updates.

Subaru says the seats are a new, more supportive design. They also claim the cabin is quieter thanks to “a focused effort on reducing sounds within particular frequency ranges.”

Optional Power Upgrade, Stiffer Chassis

Critics have found the current Impreza underpowered next to much of its competition. That won’t change for every buyer — Base and Sport trims soldier on with the same 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine.

But the return of the sporty RS trim brings a more powerful engine with it. Impreza RS models get a 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering a more class-competitive 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.

All Impreza models use the same continuously variable transmission (CVT). Sport and RS trims get a manual mode that lets you use paddle shifters to work through eight simulated gears.

And, of course, it’s AWD. This is still a Subaru. The chassis is 10% stiffer, which should make the handling crisp.

EyeSight With Pedestrian Detection

Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance features includes automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Subaru says the latest version can now identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alert the driver and apply brakes to avoid collisions.

Automatic Emergency Steering is included on models equipped with safety technologies Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. A rear seat reminder is now built into every Impreza.

The compact car class has seen some impressive entrants in recent years. The Honda Civic, redesigned for 2022, brought a new level of refinement. The Hyundai Elantra offers assertive styling, a 10-year powertrain warranty, and three years of complimentary maintenance. It’s a tough field to make an impact in.

The 2024 Impreza will stand out from the field with its hatchback form and standard AWD. But it’s still a bit underpowered compared to the class leaders unless you spring for the RS.

Can Subaru win the attention of more shoppers with that combination? We’ll need to get behind the wheel to know. We look forward to bringing you driving impressions soon.