All-New 2024 Subaru Impreza: A Hatchback in a Sedan World

• Subaru has not introduced pricing for the 2024 Impreza. We count on a beginning worth within the low $20,000 vary.
• The 2024 Impreza is all-new, however most trims use the identical 152-horsepower engine as the present mannequin.
• It is going to be out there solely as a hatchback.

Subaru hangs its hat on zigging when everybody else zags — but being an oddball works for the Japanese automaker, which has carved out a distinct segment for itself when everybody else tries to be every little thing to everybody.

So maybe it’s becoming that, in a world the place 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 in the present day’s Los Angeles Auto Present to disclose an all-new 2024 Impreza small automobile. It is going to be supplied solely in a 5-door configuration.

The Impreza on gross sales tons in the present day is ok, however little distinguishes it in a discipline of compact automobiles which might be all nice. It’s the one with normal all-wheel drive (AWD), which makes it an awesome selection the place snow is frequent. However its meager 152-horsepower engine and barely dated cabin ship lots of consumers to have a look at the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla as a substitute.

For 2024, Subaru will attempt to change their minds with an up to date design and the choice for extra energy.

Restrained Look Exterior, New Tech Inside

The all-new Impreza wears an understated design. It shares apparent DNA with the off-road wagons that make up a lot of the Subaru lineup, just like the Outback and Crosstrek. The household hexagonal protect grille is right here, with character strains drawing again via the hood from its higher corners.

The roofline slopes down towards the tailgate, and slight shoulder bulges characterize the rear fenders. Nonetheless, the look lacks any actually distinguishing options.

Inside, a expertise replace is the largest information. The Impreza is now out there with an 11.6-inch, portrait-mounted central touchscreen. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal. The system is able to receiving over-the-air updates.

Subaru says the seats are a brand new, extra supportive design. In addition they declare the cabin is quieter due to “a centered effort on lowering sounds inside explicit frequency ranges.”

Non-compulsory Energy Improve, Stiffer Chassis

Critics have discovered the present Impreza underpowered subsequent to a lot of its competitors. That gained’t change for each purchaser — Base and Sport trims soldier on with the identical 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine.

However the return of the sporty RS trim brings a extra highly effective engine with it. Impreza RS fashions get a 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering a extra class-competitive 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.

All Impreza fashions use the identical constantly variable transmission (CVT). Sport and RS trims get a handbook mode that permits you to use paddle shifters to work via eight simulated gears.

And, after all, it’s AWD. That is nonetheless a Subaru. The chassis is 10% stiffer, which ought to make the dealing with crisp.

EyeSight With Pedestrian Detection

Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver help options contains automated emergency braking and lane-keeping help. Subaru says the newest model can now establish bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when mandatory, alert the motive force and apply brakes to keep away from collisions.

Computerized Emergency Steering is included on fashions outfitted with security applied sciences Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Maintain Help and Rear Cross-Visitors Alert. A rear seat reminder is now constructed into each Impreza.

The compact automobile class has seen some spectacular entrants in recent times. The Honda Civic, redesigned for 2022, introduced a brand new degree of refinement. The Hyundai Elantra presents assertive styling, a 10-year powertrain guarantee, and three years of complimentary upkeep. It’s a troublesome discipline to make an impression in.

The 2024 Impreza will stand out from the sector with its hatchback kind and normal AWD. But it surely’s nonetheless a bit underpowered in comparison with the category leaders except you spring for the RS.

Can Subaru win the eye of extra customers with that mixture? We’ll have to get behind the wheel to know. We stay up for bringing you driving impressions quickly.