Six Generations of the Subaru Impreza
Subaru's Impreza is a compact car known for its legendary all-wheel-drive system and rally-racing heritage. Subaru offers it as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback.
The automaker also builds two turbocharged performance-oriented versions of the Impreza — the WRX and the STI — and a crossover-style hatchback called the Crosstrek; all three are different enough to be considered separate models from the Impreza. The Impreza is in the compact class competing with coupe, sedan, and hatchback models of the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, and Volkswagen Jetta.
2024 - Present Subaru Impreza (6th Generation)
The Subaru Impreza launched its sixth generation in 2023 for the 2024 model year. The fully redesigned model was a substantial upgrade to compete with more recently redesigned offerings from Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota. Three trim levels were available at launch including Base, Sport, and RS trims. The new model was available in a five-door hatchback configuration only, the four-door sedan did not make the jump to the sixth generation.
In standard configuration power for the 2024 Impreza was provided by a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine making 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque paired with a CVT transmission.
The manual transmission which was standard equipment on the previous generation had been eliminated for the new model. As with most Subaru vehicles, all-wheel drive was standard equipment, and the new model also included torque vectoring. RS models came with a larger 2.5-liter flat-four making 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
The new model’s chassis was stiffened by ten percent over the outgoing generation and the steering rack was similar to that of the sportier WRX model, making the Impreza more responsive to drive. The model also benefited from a quieter interior and improved materials, though it still lagged behind some of the competition.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system came standard on base models, while Sport and RS trims received an 11.6-inch unit that was compatible with wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior features multiple USB ports and top-tier models could be optioned with a high-end 10-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system.
The new model featured a decent range of standard safety features including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Upgraded safety tech was available which added blind-spot monitoring and accident avoidance with automatic emergency steering.
2017 - 2023 Subaru Impreza (5th Generation)
Subaru gave the Impreza a major overhaul for this generation, moving it to a new platform that now underpins most of the brand’s vehicles. This platform boasted a more refined ride quality, a lower center of gravity, 70 to 100% better rigidity, and a revised suspension.
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine was updated with a direct injection system and now made 152 horses. Transmissions available were a five-speed manual or continuously variable (CVT) automatic. Fuel economy was estimated by the EPA at 28 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway.
The current lineup includes the 2.0i base, Premium, Sport and Limited - all of which are available as an Impreza sedan or five-door hatchback.
Base models have available Eyesight driver-assist technology, a rear-vision camera, Starlink, symmetrical AWD and Vehicle Dynamics Control.
The Premium version includes an all-weather package featuring heated front seats, available power moonroof, Starlink, 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Sport models offer Active Torque Vectoring, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, sport cloth upholstery with red stitching, Starlink, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Limited versions boast automatic climate control, available Starlink navigation, Eyesight driver-assist technologies, leather-trimmed upholstery, steering-responsive LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels.
All but the base model Impreza have heated front seats. Subaru’s Starlink technology and rear-view cameras are present as standard on even the base models. Starlink helps to integrate your cell phone with the entertainment system.
Eyesight — a suite of active safety features that includes pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control — is once again available, and there is a new infotainment system that integrates with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – the latter of which are standard at all trim levels.
Due to a full redesign for 2017, the 2018 model year very few changes were made. On all but base models, the headlights automatically turn on when the windshield wipers are activated.
For the 2019 model year, Subaru shuffled the available features on each trim level. The EyeSight safety system was made available on base models. Base and mid-tier premium models optioned with EyeSight received an upgraded instrument cluster and overhead lighting. Premium models also got standard black-painted 16-inch alloy wheels and two USB ports. Sport models get a short-throw shifter from the turbo WRX model, when equipped with a manual transmission.
In 2020 the Subaru Impreza received a mild facelift, with an updated front end and new head and taillamps. Limited and Sport trims got fresh wheel designs and selectable driving modes. Joining the 21st century all models were equipped with automatic door locks and the USB port was relocated. Sport models got updated upholstery and Subaru’s EyeSite safety package added upgraded adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.
For the 2021 model year, few changes were made. Sport models were equipped with a different rear spoiler, and Premium models added SI-Drive performance engine management system, which includes selectable driving modes for different road conditions or enthusiastic driving.
In 2022, the top-tier Limited trim was narrowed to include only the five-door hatchback body style, and an optional paint color called Sapphire Blue Pearl was added to the available pallet.
For 2023, Subaru made no changes to the Impreza lineup.
In 2024, the Subaru Impreza will adopt the CVT transmission as standard equipment. It is unknown whether the model will be available with a manual transmission. Additionally, the Impreza will be available only in a five-door hatchback body style. Interior styling will be updated to fall in line with the Crosstrek, WRX, and Forester. A larger, 11.6-inch touchscreen will also be available as optional equipment or on select models.
2014 - 2016 Subaru Impreza (4th Generation)
This generation came with a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a Lineartronic CVT that had a simulated six-speed paddle-shifting manual mode. In the Impreza hatchback, the rear seats folded down in a 65/35 split, delivering up to 52.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
A longer wheelbase meant more legroom for passengers. The list of standard goodies in this generation include AC, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and an auxiliary input for the stereo.
For 2016 all Impreza models received updated bumpers, grilles, and side mirrors as well as improved sound-deadening technology. This was the first generation in which Subaru made available optional active safety features which it called EyeSight. This system incorporated dual cameras mounted by the rearview mirror for adaptive cruise control and lane departure warnings as well as pre-collision braking and throttle management keeping watch for pedestrians. It also gave you an alert when the red light you’re stopped at turns to green or when the stopped vehicle in front of you starts moving again.
2007 - 2014 Subaru Impreza (3rd Generation)
For the third-generation Impreza, Subaru replaced the small wagon variant with a five-door hatchback; window frames were added to reduce noise and vibration. This car was slightly longer and wider, with MacPherson struts in the front and a double wishbone rear suspension. The engine remained a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower flat four-cylinder unit. This is when electronic stability control first became a standard item. A 2.5i GT model introduced in 2009 had a turbocharged engine that made 224 horsepower. A four-speed automatic was optional while a five-speed manual was standard.
2000 - 2007 Subaru Impreza (2nd Generation)
This version was denoted by its round headlight design, for a new “bugeye” design; it grew longer and wider from its predecessor. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 165 horsepower; it’s paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
This generation was available in sedan, wagon, and Outback Sport versions — the latter was a more rugged, crossover-style wagon similar to the larger Legacy Outback wagon. Starting in 2004 the Subaru Impreza WRX STi was offered in the USA for the first time, though it is treated as a different model.
Cruise control became standard, and so did a CD player as well as power windows and locks.
1992 - 2000 Subaru Impreza (1st Generation)
The first generation of the Impreza was initially offered in front-wheel or all-wheel-drive in a four-door sedan or a five-door small station wagon. The cars came with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine.
In 1995, Subaru added a larger, more powerful 2.2-liter engine as an option; the base 1.8-liter unit continued on the base model. This was also the model year when Subaru introduced the Outback Sport, a slightly modified version of the Impreza wagon that used the larger Outback wagon as inspiration. The Outback Sport model had a slightly higher suspension for more ground clearance and contrasting paint on the lower body panels.
In 1997 the Impreza had an external makeover with an interior update in the following year. This was also when Subaru decided to make AWD standard on all North American Imprezas, and in 1998 a 165-horsepower 2.5-liter engine made its debut in the WRX model.
In 1998, the 1.8-liter base engine was dropped.