Overview

There’s nothing remarkable about the 2023 Subaru Impreza, but at its price point, it’s a decent compact car. The smallest of Subaru’s lineup, the Impreza is available as both a sedan and a hatchback. Standard all-wheel drive, a spunky ride, and a no-nonsense interior design are among the Impreza’s highlights, and the car also offers plenty in the way of safety features, including driver-assistance tech in CVT-equipped vehicles.

Buyers can choose from a manual gearbox or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While we admire that Subaru offers a manual, its five-speed stick isn’t the one we’d recommend, as it lacks precision. Fuel economy, too, is worse with the stick. But even with the CVT, the car struggles to compete on fuel mileage with its more efficient competitors. Overall, the 2023 Impreza is a suitable choice for most purposes despite these hang-ups, but rivals such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3 simply have more to offer.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Impreza is a tortoise in a class of hares, with a four-cylinder engine that makes 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, of course. With little low-end punch, both the sedan and hatchback require considerable goading to keep the engine where it needs to be to make power.

The five-speed manual transmission on our Impreza Sport sedan performed less lethargically than the CVT of our long-term Sport hatch, but we actually prefer the automatic, due to the manual's notchy and imprecise nature. The Impreza strikes a near-perfect balance between ride and handling. The body doesn't lean in turns, and the quick steering gives the compact car an additional sense of verve. We found the Impreza Sport's relatively firm brake pedal and short stopping distance during emergency-braking situations to be exemplary for the class.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Choose any Impreza with the CVT and you'll be pleased with its fuel economy. Opt for the manual transmission, though, and you'll visit your local gas station more frequently. The most efficient Impreza earns 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, per the EPA; the least-efficient model—a hatchback with a manual transmission—is rated for 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Our manual-equipped Impreza Sport sedan managed 30 mpg in our real-world highway fuel-economy test. For context, the nonhybrid Toyota Corolla achieved an impressive 41 mpg, albeit with an automatic transmission. For more information about the Impreza's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Is there going to be a 2023 Subaru Impreza?

Offered in four trim levels – Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited – the 2023 Impreza arrives at Subaru retailers this Fall. The 2023 Impreza comes standard with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct injected SUBARU BOXER® engine that produces 152-horsepower and 145 lb.

Is Subaru Impreza a good vehicle?

Is the 2023 Subaru Impreza a Good Car? Yes, the 2023 Impreza is a good compact car. The Impreza gets great fuel economy, and it's one of the few vehicles in its class to offer standard all-wheel drive. As a result, this Subaru feels sporty without sacrificing ride comfort.

Is Subaru discontinuing the Impreza?

Subaru of America decided to shut down the 2022 Impreza compact sedan and hatchback production to make more room on the production line for the number one selling Subaru Outback.