Model research hub
Subaru Impreza
Car and Driver says the Impreza is a compact hatchback that stands out as the only car in its segment with standard all-wheel drive, well-equipped with adaptive cruise control and wireless smartphone-mirroring baked into the base price, with the Sport trim's tame 152-hp four-cylinder and the RS model's more powerful 180-hp engine both suffering from tepid acceleration, calling it practical enough but behind the compact-car times due to its unimpressive powertrain and lack of pizzazz, and recommending the more refined and appealing Mazda 3 as an AWD alternative. MotorTrend rates the 2026 Impreza 8.0/10, saying it stays true to its mission of offering practical, all-weather capability with standard all-wheel drive, something few in the segment can claim, as the brand's least expensive vehicle and an accessible entry point into the lineup, rivaling the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3, though it struggles to stand out with shortcomings in performance, efficiency, and interior refinement; for 2026 it gains a bigger but slightly less powerful engine and a standard 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the base model and smaller screen are discontinued.
The only compact hatchback with standard AWD
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the Impreza is a compact hatchback that stands out as the only car in its segment with standard all-wheel drive, well-equipped with adaptive cruise control and wireless smartphone-mirroring baked into the base price, though both the Sport trim's 152-hp engine and the RS model's 180-hp engine suffer from tepid acceleration, calling it practical enough but behind the compact-car times due to its unimpressive powertrain and lack of pizzazz.
An accessible, practical entry point
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) rates the 2026 Impreza 8.0/10, saying it stays true to its mission of offering practical, all-weather capability with standard all-wheel drive, something few in the segment can claim, as the brand's least expensive vehicle, rivaling the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3, though it struggles to stand out with shortcomings in performance, efficiency, and interior refinement.
A bigger engine and standard touchscreen for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says for 2026 the Impreza gains a bigger but slightly less powerful engine and a standard 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the base model and the smaller 7.0-inch screen are discontinued.
Questions buyers ask
Does the Subaru Impreza have standard all-wheel drive?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says yes, the only car in its segment with it.
How much horsepower does the Subaru Impreza RS have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 180 hp, though acceleration is still tepid.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is built around 2.0L or 2.5L flat-four, rated at 152 / 182 horsepower across its compact car body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 Impreza seats 5 and is a Compact car.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 5 owner complaints for the 2025 Impreza.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza hatchback uses a 152-horsepower 2.0L on Base and Sport, while RS steps up to a 182-horsepower 2.5L. Standard all-wheel drive and EyeSight driver assistance apply across the range.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Subaru Impreza model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Subaru Impreza | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Subaru Impreza | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Subaru Impreza | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Subaru Impreza.
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Leone, with the predecessor's EA series engines replaced by the new EJ series. It is now in its sixth generation.
Source: Subaru Impreza (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Subaru Impreza at a glance
- Production
- 1992–present
- Class
- Compact car
- Body style
- 2-door coupe (1992–2000), 4-door sedan (1992–2023), 5-door hatchback (2007–present), 5-door station wagon (1992–2007)
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel drive (1992–present, JDM), Front-engine, all-wheel drive (1992–present)
- Predecessor
- Subaru Leone
- Successor
- Subaru WRX (for Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX STI models), Subaru Crosstrek (for Impreza RV, XV and Outback Sport models), Subaru Levorg (for Impreza station wagon models)
Subaru Impreza generations
The Subaru Impreza has been redesigned in 2000, 2007, gaps of 8, 7 years, an average of 7.5 years between generations. The current generation (third generation, GE, GH, GR, GV) began in 2007.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | GM, GC, GF | 1992–2000 | Announced on 22 October 1992, the Impreza was released in Japan in November and offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) versions and as a four-door sedan or five-door wagon (Touring). |
| Second generation | GD, GG | 2000–2007 | Subaru introduced the "New Age" Impreza to Japan in August 2000. |
| Third generation | GE, GH, GR, GV | 2007–present | Subaru revealed the third-generation Impreza at the New York Auto Show on 2 April 2007—both the standard naturally aspirated Impreza and turbocharged WRX versions were revealed. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Impreza overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- November 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break. Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios…
- September 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft. Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
- August 2023, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit. Consequence: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Impreza, most often about power train (2), unknown or other (2), steering (1).
Year by year
The Subaru Impreza across 10 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Subaru Impreza | 29 | $2,250 | 1 | |||
| 2026 Subaru Impreza | 29 | $2,150 | 2 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Subaru Impreza | 29–30 | $2,100–$2,150 | 2 | 5 | 5 stars | |
| 2024 Subaru Impreza | 29–30 | $2,100–$2,150 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Subaru Impreza | 25–32 | $1,950–$2,500 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Subaru Impreza | 25–32 | $1,950–$2,500 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 5 stars |
| 2021 Subaru Impreza | 25–32 | $1,950–$2,500 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | 25–31 | $2,000–$2,500 | 8 | 1 | 85 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Subaru Impreza | 25–32 | $1,950–$2,500 | 8 | 5 | 194 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Subaru Impreza | 25–32 | $1,950–$2,500 | 8 | 5 | 149 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Subaru Impreza, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 2 to 1 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI | ||
| 2025 to 2026 | 29.5 to 29.0 | |||
| 2023 to 2024 | 7 to 2 | 28.5 to 29.5 | Labels: Impreza; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S8) | Labels: Impreza 4-Door, Impreza 5-Door, Impreza Sport 4-Door, Impreza Sport 5-Door; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S7), Manual 5-spd; Size classes: Midsize Cars |
| 2020 to 2021 | 8 to 7 | 28.0 to 28.5 | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 28.5 to 28.0 |
Buying used
What the Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | electrical system (instrument cluster/panel); power train (driveline) | None |
| 2023 | 2 | exterior lighting (brake lights); power train (driveline) | None |
| 2022 | 1 | visibility (windshield) | None |
| 2021 | 2 | power train (shift linkage/cable/rod); suspension (front) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2020 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2019 | 5 | electrical system (software); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); exterior lighting (headlights) | None |
| 2018 | 5 | engine and engine cooling (exhaust system); electrical system (software); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 1 more | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2021, campaign 21V-675 (Aug 2021): suspension (front). A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| visibility/wiper | 150 | 30% | 2019 (55) |
| exterior lighting | 128 | 26% | 2018 (64) |
| unknown or other | 75 | 15% | 2019 (26) |
| electrical system | 40 | 8% | 2019 (19) |
| engine | 25 | 5% | 2018 (11) |
| service brakes | 23 | 5% | 2019 (8) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Subaru Impreza trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 145 | 3,249 | – | 29 | $27,790 |
| RS | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 182 | 178 | 3,275 | – | 29 | $30,690 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Subaru Impreza model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 152–182 | 3,249–3,275 | – | 16.6 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 152–182 | 3,171–3,275 | – | 16.6 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 152–182 | 3,171–3,275 | – | 16.6 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,104–3,150 | – | 13.2 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,104–3,150 | 2,000 | 13.2 |
| 2021 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,104–3,150 | 2,000 | 13.2 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,047–3,142 | 2,000 | 13.2 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,047–3,135 | 2,000 | 13.2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 152 | 3,034–3,131 | 2,000 | 13.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Subaru Impreza.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2024 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2023 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2022 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2021 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2020 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Subaru Impreza: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2019 Subaru Impreza : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and electrical system.
- 2018 Subaru Impreza : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and fuel system.
- 2017 Subaru Impreza : 7 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and engine cooling.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 5 | ||
| 2024 | 2 | 31 | electrical system, powertrain |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 | exterior lighting, powertrain |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | visibility/wipers |
| 2021 | 2 | 14 | suspension, powertrain |
| 2020 | 1 | 85 | fuel system |
| 2019 | 5 | 194 | fuel system, electrical system, exterior lighting |
| 2018 | 5 | 149 | electrical system, fuel system, engine cooling, exterior lighting |
| 2017 | 7 | 125 | electrical system, engine cooling, fuel system, backup camera |
| 2016 | 1 | 75 | exterior lighting |
| 2015 | 2 | 79 | exterior lighting, forward collision system |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Subaru Impreza?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2019, 2018, 2017 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Subaru Impreza model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2019 Subaru Impreza has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, electrical system, exterior lighting; The 2018 Subaru Impreza has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, fuel system, engine cooling; The 2017 Subaru Impreza has 7 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, engine cooling, fuel system. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Subaru Impreza by model year?
2024: electrical system, powertrain. 2023: exterior lighting, powertrain. 2022: visibility/wipers. 2021: suspension, powertrain. 2020: fuel system. 2019: fuel system, electrical system, exterior lighting.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Engine and cooling, Brakes, tires and steering, Transmission and drivetrain.
2019 Subaru Impreza owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Climate and electrical.
2018 Subaru Impreza owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Engine and cooling.
2017 Subaru Impreza owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Engine and cooling.
Compared with
Models this Subaru Impreza is most often compared with.
Nearest Subaru models
Other Subaru models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Impreza come in?
The 2025 Subaru Impreza (compact car) comes in 3 trims: Base, Sport, RS.
Q02What are the 2025 Impreza trims?
The 2025 Subaru Impreza trims are Base, Sport, RS, listed from the entry Base up to the top RS.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Impreza use?
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is built around 2.0L or 2.5L flat-four, rated at 152 / 182 horsepower across its compact car body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Impreza have?
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is rated at 152 / 182 horsepower (2.0L or 2.5L flat-four).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Impreza?
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is offered with Standard AWD.