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2016 Subaru Impreza

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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
Interior Profile
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2016 2.0i 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $18,295
2016 2.0i 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $18,795
2016 2.0i Premium 4dr All-wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $21,095
2016 2.0i Sport Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $21,095
2016 2.0i Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $21,595
2016 2.0i Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $22,595
2016 2.0i Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $23,095
2016 2.0i Sport Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $23,595

Overview

The poster car for all-weather capability on a budget, the Impreza is the only compact around with standard all-wheel drive. Add to that it's roomy interior and generous feature content, and you can see why the Impreza has been a staple of the Subaru brand for decades.

What's New for 2016

Infotainment systems have been updated with a suite of available cloud applications. Subaru's StarLink telematics system is now standard on Limited models.

Subaru Impreza

Choosing Your Subaru Impreza

Available as a sedan or hatchback, the Impreza offers impressive rear seat room for this class and, in the case of the hatchback, a hearty 52.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The overall design is conservative, though not lacking in technology.

Along with all-wheel drive, every Impreza gets a 2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard, but most buyers opt for the available continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). So equipped, the Impreza achieves 31 mpg in combined driving, quite an accomplishment for an AWD vehicle of any size.

The Impreza once again comes in base (2.0i), Premium, and Limited trims, plus Sport subtrims for the hatchback only:

Subaru Impreza

2.0i

Comes smartly equipped with a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, a split-folding rear seat, a trip computer, and everything else you expect in a passenger car. The four-speaker sound system features a 6.2-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, and HD and Internet radio. The 2.0i rolls on 15-inch steel wheels.

Subaru Impreza

2.0i Premium

Gets two extra audio speakers, a rear stabilizer bar, 16-inch alloy wheels, and mildly enhanced trim throughout. The hatchback also gets a cargo cover. The available Alloy Wheel package tacks on 17-inch wheels and leather trim for the steering wheel and shifter. You can also opt for the All-Weather package (standard with the manual transmission) with a windshield de-icer and heated front seats and mirrors. A sunroof is optional at this level and above.

Subaru Impreza

2.0i Sport Premium (hatchback only)

Gets the Premium's option packages as standard, plus sport fabric upholstery, roof rails, fog lamps, and lower-body moldings.

Subaru Impreza

2.0i Limited

Equipped with everything available on the Premium, plus a leather interior, automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, chrome exterior trim, satellite radio, and a larger infotainment touchscreen with voice controls. Several options become available at this level, including navigation, keyless ignition, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and front collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

Subaru Impreza

2.0i Sport Limited (hatchback only)

Like the Limited, but with the Sport Premium's special touches and silver grille accents.

CarsDirect Tip

We recommend skipping the base model and starting your build with the Premium, if only to get the rear stabilizer bar and optional 17-inch wheels, which yield substantially better handling.

Get your price on a Subaru Impreza »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Subaru’s sophisticated, stylish compact four-door sedan and five-door hatchback were upgraded for 2015. All Imprezas, like all Subarus, have all-wheel drive. Coupled with its reputation for ruggedness and solidity, the Impreza earns strong owner loyalty.

Pricing and Equipment

Starting at $18,295 (plus $795 destination charge), the Impreza comes in base, Premium and Limited trim with a 2-liter four-cylinder “boxer” engine and either manual shift or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). We drove an Impreza Limited with the CVT, which goes into most Imprezas.

Standard equipment for the Limited model tested included:

  • Leather-trimmed upholstery
  • Automatic climate control
  • Cruise control
  • 60/40-split fold-down rear seats
  • Six-speaker radio with CD
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone/audio
  • Smartphone connectivity
  • Tilt/telescoping steering column
  • Rearview camera

Options includes a navigation system, moonroof, pushbutton start, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and pre-collision throttle management system.

Performance Pros

Subaru Impreza
  • Continuously variable transmission. Apart from lack of gear changes, you’d hardly know this was a CVT. Critics of CVTs need to give the Impreza a whirl. Fuel-economy figures are impressive, too: EPA-estimated at 28 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.
  • Handling. Confident, positive steering feel leaves no doubt that the Impreza will go where it’s pointed, with minimal bother. Sporty it’s not, but an Impreza delivers an easygoing feel on the road, remaining remarkably stable.
  • Ride is comfortable and trouble-free, as the Impreza glides over most roughness and copes admirably with most bumps and holes.

Performance Cons

Not many negative opinions come to mind about the Impreza, and those few aren’t nearly as troublesome as they might be.

  • Yes, a little engine noise can be attributed to the CVT, but only when pushing hard. Even then, it’s more than tolerable, unlikely to annoy.
  • Midrange acceleration. Performance is quite spirited at low speeds, but not quite as swift when pushing the pedal at 50 mph or so. Even then, road speed is rising faster than it seems.

Interior Pros

  • Instruments are easy to read at a glance. The video information screen is rather small, but facts and figures are crisp and clear. It’s also set somewhat low, but that’s typical.
  • Visibility. The view over the driver’s left shoulder is limited between pillar and headrest; but otherwise, visibility is quite good. Imprezas have an unusually low cowl and low steering wheel. You can almost see the front of the hood, which is a rarity on contemporary automobiles.
  • Some Impreza road-testers have complained about artificially sudden throttle tip-in when starting off from a standstill. We weren’t bothered by this characteristic when driving our Limited sedan, which took off in a reasonable way.

Interior Cons

Finding fault with the Impreza cabin is a frustrating task, possible only by resorting to common, non-critical smaller-car flaws.

  • Short driver’s seat bottom. Plenty of cars suffer from short seats, but the Impreza provides good thigh support anyway, as well as very good back support. Even with a sunroof, headroom is ample. The driver’s left elbow is somewhat constricted, but legroom is fine.
  • Center rear-seat comfort. An unfortunate fifth passenger might get a fairly tolerable spot, except for the intrusive floor hump and typical hard seatback. Otherwise, the back seat is roomy, though the headliner looks and feels strictly utilitarian even on the Limited model.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

Pleasantries abound in the Impreza, but performance of the CVT is particularly notable, especially compared to CVTs of the recent past. The old sensation reminiscent of a rubber band tied to a loudly-racing engine, which has long drawn the scorn of CVT critics, has practically disappeared.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Except for a somewhat basic, no-frills look to the instrument panel and controls, few faults can be found in the Impreza. In fact, that strictly practical, no-nonsense theme is typically considered an Impreza virtue.

The Bottom Line

Subaru Impreza

Subaru is serious about all-weather safety and capability. If Subaru didn’t put an all-wheel-drive system into every last one of its cars, maybe the company wouldn’t be so well-known among the safety conscious. Making AWD universal has a greater impact on automotive psyches than merely making it an option. Throw in admirable performance and road manners, and the Impreza almost belongs in a class all its own.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L H-4 / 148 HP / 145 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 5-spd man w/OD
Available: Lineartronic 6-spd sequential shift control CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 34 / 29 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L H-4 / 148 HP / 145 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 34 / 29 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
14.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$55
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
12.0 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
97 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
180.5 "
Exterior Width
68.5 "
Exterior Height
57.7 "
Front Headroom
39.8 "
Rear Headroom
37.1 "
Front Legroom
43.5 "
Rear Legroom
35.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room
54.2 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,955 Lbs. / 3,021 Lbs.
Wheel Base
104 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
With Chrome Bar / Black W/body-color Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan
Speakers
4 / 5 / 6 / 4 Kicker
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

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