2024 Subaru Impreza RS: Check Drive | The Every day Drive

2024 Subaru Impreza RS

Class: Compact Automotive

Shade: Pure Crimson

Seating capability: 5

CG Report Card

Room and Consolation	B
Energy and Efficiency	B
Match and End	C
Gasoline Financial system	B
Worth	A

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup.

Large & Tall Consolation

Large Man	B
Tall Man	B

Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	182-horsepower 2.5-liter
Engine Kind	4-cylinder
Transmission	CVT
Drive Wheels	AWD

Miles pushed: 149

Noticed gas economic system: 24.8 mpg

Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gas economic system: 26/33/29 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gasoline sort: Common gasoline

Base worth: $27,885 (not together with $1090 vacation spot cost)

Choices on check car: N/A

Worth as examined: $28,975

Fast Hits

The good: Greenback worth, enjoyable to drive

The nice: Roomy cabin, customary AWD

The not so good: Price range-grade cabin supplies

Tom Appel:

Fact is, the Impreza has for years been wildly outsold by its mechanically comparable showroom mate, the Crosstrek. The smallest of the maker’s two automotive choices—each different Subaru is arguably a crossover—the Impreza was fully redesigned for 2024, and is down one physique model and one trim degree in consequence.

For 2022 (2023 numbers aren’t but posted) the Impreza was outsold by the Crosstrek by a virtually 5-to-1 ratio; that sturdy is the ability of a lifted look, a roof rack, and a few bodyside cladding. And in reality, the little Crosstrek’s sporty/rugged look shouldn’t be solely interesting, however fully in step with Subaru’s free-spirit branding.

To simplify issues for 2024, the Impreza is now hatchback solely; there isn’t a longer a sedan variant. That leaves the midsize Legacy—which is massively outsold by its rugged-looking, mechanically comparable brother the Outback—as Subaru’s solely sedan. Word that the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are nonetheless provided in each sedan and hatchback configurations, whereas the Nissan Sentra is obtainable solely as a sedan.

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Additionally rendered easier is the 2024 trim-level lineup, which has been diminished from 4 to a few choices. Gone are Premium and Restricted trims. The returning Base (beginning round $24,000), is joined by the brand new Sport ($26,000), and RS ($29,000). Subaru followers might recall the RS nameplate, which was final used on sporty Impreza fashions approach again in 2005.

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Base and Sport variations of the Impreza are powered by a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The RS comes with a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4. All 2024 Imprezas are geared up with a CVT-automatic transmission, the beforehand obtainable 6-speed guide is among the many issues misplaced for 2024.

Like all U.S.-market Subarus, save for the BRZ sporty coupe, all Imprezas include customary AWD. Distinctive to the Sport and RS is the model’s SI-Drive system, which, per Subaru, “is a sophisticated engine administration system with driver-selectable modes tailor-made to swimsuit totally different circumstances and totally different moods. SI-DRIVE^® is the proper resolution for many who crave each sporty response and financial gas consumption, taking car efficiency to an all-new degree.” So there.

Sport and RS fashions additionally function bigger front-brake rotors, and sportier suspension tuning, together with the addition of a rear stabilizer bar. Additionally, Sport and RS fashions are distinguished by 18-inch permit wheels (designs distinctive to every mannequin) versus 16-inch alloy wheels on the Base.

Client Information just lately spent per week behind the wheel the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS in Pure Crimson. Our check automotive was geared up with no extra-cost choices and got here to $28,975, together with vacation spot cost.

As a result of that is largely a good evaluate, we’d wish to get our major criticism out of the way in which first: The Impreza cabin, even in RS trim, is reasonable wanting relative to the competitors, particularly the Honda Civic. Now, that’s low cost by 2024 requirements, which suggests the cabin is okay, it simply trails most small vehicles when it comes to supplies high quality. Additionally, the cabin design is just a little odd. Whereas the sprint seems to be positive, and the controls all fall at hand logically, there’s simply an excessive amount of occurring inside. The entrance door panels particularly look confusingly overwrought, and cursed with an unappealing array intersecting strains and stampings, seemingly employed to masks the dearth of soft-touch supplies widespread in different small U.S.-market choices.

That stated, the remainder of the information right here is fairly good. The cabin is roomy up entrance, with loads of big-guy house, and a seating place that affords wonderful outward visibility and encourages sporty driving. Rear-seat house is just a little tight for bigger adults, however no extra so than different automobiles within the class.

Subaru’s “Starlink” digital interface touchscreen is each giant and straightforward to learn, and options clearly marked icons and a easy menu system.

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It’s on the highway, nonetheless, that the Impreza RS shines, and in case you have an urge for food for sporty character, you’ll respect the way in which this automotive feels underway. Beginning with the engine, which—although no powerhouse—delivers loads of energy from a cease, and sounds simply snarky sufficient spice of the visceral driving expertise. And, whereas we’re not usually followers of CVT automated transmissions, the Impreza’s shifter does a positive job of holding the automotive’s 4-cylinder engine in its helpful powerband.

What driving fans will respect most in regards to the Impreza is its thoughtfully tuned suspension and wonderful steering really feel. The RS is enjoyable to drive even in slower site visitors, and rewards quick blasts up and down freeway entry ramps and round Interstate cloverleafs. Agency-feeling, responsive brakes add to the automotive’s athletic character. Journey high quality too, is spectacular. The RS is comfy even over tough highway surfaces, and has a classy, European-sedan really feel on the freeway, although cabin- and highway noise at freeway velocity are considerably elevated relative to different vehicles within the class.

In routine driving that barely favored city commuting, we averaged 24.8 mpg, which appears cheap on condition that the Impreza RS does invite aggressive throttle use. Additionally price noting, the Impreza boasts a surprisingly giant 16.6-gallon gas tank. This compares to the 12.4- and 13.2-gallon tanks discovered on the Civic and Corolla respectively, and will permit the Impreza RS to cruise greater than 500 miles between gas stops on prolonged highway journeys.

Probably the most hanging function of the Impreza RS, nonetheless, is its discount worth. For lower than $30,000, and for a 3rd lower than the transaction worth of a median new car, fortunate customers can have a roomy, comfy, sporty, and relative fuel-efficient automotive that comes with wonderful customary AWD.

Sure, the Honda Civic is extra refined and boasts a slicker, extra upscale cabin, and Corolla extra gas environment friendly, and retains its legendary status for reliability, however the Impreza is extra enjoyable to drive, a discount at each trim degree, and isn’t seen on each avenue nook. Whereas we’d by no means attempt to discuss somebody out of buying the Honda or Toyota, we’d completely assist anybody’s barely adventurous determination to go along with the Impreza as a substitute. And no, it’s not a Crosstrek, it’s really a greater worth.

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