LIKES
- Standard AWD with little fuel-economy compromise
- Great safety record
- Big interior
- Comfy seats
DISLIKES
- Manual doesn’t include driver-assistance tech
- Not much personality
- Could have more power
- Base touchscreen comes up short
BUYING TIP
- The 2023 Subaru Impreza is a great SUV alternative in Premium trim.
The 2023 Subaru Impreza may be the most rational compact car on the road today, at least if it can peel your eyes away from tempting and thirsty SUVs.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Subaru Impreza? What does it compare to?
Either a small sedan or hatchback, the 2023 Impreza squares off against the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Jetta.
Is the 2023 Subaru Impreza a good car?
It’s a solid, if not exactly thrilling, choice. We set its TCC Rating at 6.2 out of 10 thanks to great crash-test scores, standard all-wheel drive, and decent day-to-day utility. It’s a highly rational choice almost devoid of emotion.
What's new for the 2023 Subaru Impreza?
The Impreza rolls into 2023 with no notable changes.
The Impreza offers better fuel economy and sleeker styling, though its interior offers few thrills.
That cabin design is a harbinger of things to come thanks to the 152-hp flat-4. It’s not slow, but it’s not exciting. The standard 5-speed manual is no joy, though its anachronistic nature offers some limited appeal. The more popular continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) delivers far better fuel economy on paper—think 32 mpg in base sedan form—and reasonable day-to-day drivability.
No Impreza thrills on a winding road, but these cars have balance and confidence. They also come with standard all-wheel drive to make them good choices for winter or rough road use.
Interior space is a virtue, however. Front-seat riders will find comfy thrones and great outward vision. The hatchback is especially practical.
On the safety front, the Impreza should be proud of its report card full of top ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS. Only CVT versions have automatic emergency braking, though.
How much does the 2023 Subaru Impreza cost?
This year, the 2023 Subaru Impreza begins at $20,815 as a sedan, or $500 more as a hatchback. That money buys a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, cruise control, and power features.
Where is the 2023 Subaru Impreza made?
In Japan.
Styling
The 2023 Subaru Impreza wears mostly forgettable duds.
Is the Subaru Impreza a good-looking car?
It’s fine, but it makes little more than a fleeting first impression. The 2023 Subaru Impreza earns a narrow point above average for its clean styling, especially in wagon-esque hatchback form. It’s a 6 on the TCC scale.
The stubby front end gives way to somewhat muscular fender flares. Simple, clear taillights round out the exterior. Base models ride on chintzy steel wheels, but alloys are standard otherwise. The Sport trim blacks out some exterior bits, but it’s far from a budget WRX.
Standard cloth seats have a grippy feel. We like them more than the cheap-feeling leather fitted to the Limited.
Performance
All-wheel drive is the Subaru Impreza’s calling card.
Is the Subaru Impreza 4WD?
Yes. The Impreza is unique among competitors with its standard all-wheel drive.
How fast is the Subaru Impreza?
The manual has a notchy feel, though its novelty makes it a fun choice by 2023 standards. We can’t fault anyone who grabs it.
The more popular CVT works silently in the background to deliver low revs in most situations. Sport versions have seven pre-programmed ratios selectable via paddle shifters for some semblance of fun.
All but base models include SI-Drive, the automaker’s decent driver-selectable modes that can tighten up throttle response, CVT behavior, and steering heft.
Comfort & Quality
Subaru fits a big interior and plenty of cargo space to the small Impreza.
A useful passenger compartment and a big available hatchback body make the 2023 Subaru Impreza a particularly space-efficient choice. We rate it at 7 out of 10 with extra points for its good front seats and its terrific cargo area, at least in hatchback form. Sedans would score a 6 if rated independently.
The front seats include manual adjustment on most versions, though a power driver’s throne is optional. They're comfortable and moderately bolstered, plus they offer a great view forward thanks to a low belt line and narrow roof pillars.
Rear-seat riders enjoy impressive leg room, though three abreast is wishful thinking.
No Impreza really impresses inside when it comes to interior trim, though the smattering of soft-touch plastics is par for the course.
Safety
The 2023 Subaru Impreza is tops when it comes to safety.
How safe is the Subaru Impreza?
It’s a spectacular choice. The 2023 Subaru Impreza scores highly in independent and federal crash testing, and all but the base manual transmission versions come with collision-avoidance tech.
We rate it at 9 out of 10, with a point each for a five-star rating from the NHTSA, a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, standard automatic emergency braking in most versions, and great outward vision.
Features
The Impreza stakes out its claim as a good value, so long as all-wheel drive is important to you.
The 2023 Subaru Impreza can be a decent value in certain configurations. A big price hike this year to $20,815 brings it more in line with some competitors. The Impreza includes cruise control, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and power features at that base price point. The hatchback version costs $500 more, while $1,300 buys the automatic gearbox and a suite of safety tech including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control.
Its 6 out of 10 rating comes courtesy of its overall value.
Which Subaru Impreza should I buy?
How much is a fully loaded Subaru Impreza?
An Impreza Limited hatchback with all the trimmings—leather seats, a sunroof, Harman/Kardon audio, navigation, and more—will set you back a somewhat hefty $30,765.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Impreza earns decent fuel economy considering its standard all-wheel drive.
Is the Subaru Impreza good on gas?
It’s a lot better than an SUV, that’s for sure. The EPA rates the Impreza lineup at 28 mpg city, 36 highway, 32 combined when fitted with a CVT and a sedan body. Slightly heavier hatchbacks are rated at 31 mpg combined, and Sport versions slide to 30 mpg combined.
With the standard 5-speed manual, the Impreza drops precipitously in the EPA’s ratings to just 26 mpg combined, and Sport versions slide all the way to 25 mpg combined. In real-world driving, however, the manual may be a bit more frugal.
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