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2021 Subaru Impreza

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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

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
2021 Base 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $18,795
2021 Base 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $19,295
2021 Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $22,195
2021 Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $22,695
2021 Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $22,995
2021 Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $23,595
2021 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $25,895
2021 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $26,395

Overview

What's New

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sees the addition of selectable driving modes to the mid-level Premium trim. Otherwise, the all-wheel-drive sedan and hatchback are unchanged following last year's refresh.

The current Impreza hit the streets in 2017. A total redesign is expected for 2022.

Choosing Your Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza is available in four trim levels: Impreza, Premium, Sport, and Limited. The sedan starts at $19,720 including destination and goes to $26,820 for the Limited. The hatchback costs $500 more at each trim level.

Engine Choices

Every Impreza comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard on all models. The Premium and above come with two selectable driving modes: Intelligent (for efficiency) and Sport.

Most Impreza models run with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base sedan and Sport hatchback come standard with a six-speed manual, and the CVT is available for $1,300 on the sedan and $1,100 on the Sport hatchback

With the CVT, the Impreza is EPA-rated at 28 miles per gallon city, 36 mpg highway, and 32 combined. The manual transmission reduces these figures to 24/31/26 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Impreza provides room enough for five, although the rear middle seat is best reserved for short trips. The sedan's trunk measures 12.3 cubic feet, which is typical for this class. The hatchback offers 20.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and an excellent 55.3 cubic feet with it folded. In terms of utility, the Impreza hatchback ranks near the top of its class.

Subaru Impreza

Safety Features

Models equipped with the CVT come with Subaru's EyeSight safety system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is available on the Premium and Sport in option packages. This features is standard on the Limited, along with automatic high beams and rear automatic braking.

The Impreza is an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus and earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

Connectivity

Impreza starts out with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, four speakers, a USB port, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The stepping up to Premium brings six speakers, HD and satellite radio, a second USB port, and wi-fi capability.

The Sport and Premium get an 8-inch touchscreen and two rear USB ports. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon is optional on these trims, and navigation is available on the Limited.

Subaru Impreza

Impreza - From $19,720

The base Impreza comes with basics like power windows and locks, manual climate control, cloth seats, keyless entry, and 16-inch steel wheels.

Premium - From $23,120

The Premium gains heated front seats, automatic headlights, fog lights, heated side mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The hatchback also gets roof rails.

For $1,970, buyers can add an equipment bundle consisting of a sunroof, a power driver seat, push button start, proximity key access, and the blind-spot monitoring system.

Sport - From $24,520

The Sport takes on a more aggressive appearance with aerodynamic lower side moldings, 18-inch wheels, red seat stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedal covers. Other upgrades include the 8-inch touchscreen, standard push button start, and turn signal indicators in the side mirrors

The sunroof, Harman Kardon system, power driver seat, and blind-spot monitoring come bundled for $2,470.

Limited - From $26,820

The Limited features leather upholstery, a standard power driver seat, adaptive headlights, chrome door handles, and 17-inch wheels.

The Harman Kardon system, navigation, and the sunroof are available together $3,250.

Compare Impreza Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Most buyers go for the 2021 Subaru Impreza Premium, and we can't quibble with their decision. It covers all the bases at a very friendly price. For folks who want to indulge a little, we prefer the leather-trimmed Limited over the Sport, which doesn't offering anything extra in the way of actual performance.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Tons of safety gear
  • Simple infotainment system
  • Strong value
Cons
  • How much power?
  • Subpar interior materials
  • Sedate styling and character
Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

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
Automotive Editor

All-weather capability. Very few compact cars on the market are offered with all-wheel drive, and fewer still have it standard. The 2021 Subaru Impreza not only comes with AWD as standard throughout the lineup, it’s also one of the most affordable vehicles on the market to have it.

Having a car come with standard AWD may not sound like a massive difference from one with front-wheel drive, but it gives the Impreza an edge when it comes to handling inclement weather. Subaru’s AWD system is a full-time operation that's constantly looking for ways to send power to all four wheels for maximum traction. For consumers that want an extra sense of security when handling snow, slick roads, or heavy downpours, the Impreza can certainly do the job.

Unlike other AWD systems, Subaru has worked hard to ensure that fuel economy hasn’t been affected too much. That’s why the Impreza’s EPA-estimated 32 miles per gallon combined rating isn’t too far off of rivals that only come with FWD.

Safety is key. Like the majority of Subarus on sale today, the Impreza earned excellent crash-test scores. Both the sedan and wagon body style earned the highest rating of “Good” in IIHS crash tests, while the NHTSA gave the vehicle a five-star overall safety rating. If Subaru equipped the Impreza with better headlights, it would've won an award from the IIHS.

Base trim levels, which come equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, don’t come with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced safety features. So, the only standard feature on the Impreza is a rearview camera. Higher trim levels come with a continuously variable automatic transmission that brings EyeSight.

CVT-equipped trims come with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic emergency braking are optional.

Hatchback versatility. The hatchback body style is the one we recommend, as it comes with a far more spacious interior than the sedan. It’s only $500 extra, too, which seems like a bargain for what you get.

While the sedan has a 12.3-cubic-foot trunk, which is one of the smaller figures for the compact segment, the hatchback offers a total of 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space – one of the largest figures in the segment. Even with the rear seats folded down, the Impreza offers an impressive 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

When it comes to interior space, the Impreza does a fine job of being comfortable for four passengers. The rear seats offer a generous amount of rear head and leg room, but they’re not all that wide. That makes seating three in the back a squeeze.

Subaru Impreza

Dull performance and personality. Subaru only offers one engine with the Impreza. Sadly, it’s severely underpowered. The compact car comes with a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine that makes 152 horsepower. While the engine makes a decent amount of power to get around town, getting up to highway speeds can be a tough task. Handling is much of the same, as the Impreza is more about being comfortable than enjoyable.

Honda and Toyota have been a little daring with their exterior designs, while Subaru has taken a far more conservative approach. The hatchback looks better than the sedan with its curvier silhouette, but the Impreza has a sedate, bland look. The same can be said about the interior, as the Impreza’s cabin has simple design elements and subpar interior materials.

Final thoughts. The 2021 Subaru Impreza won’t impress because of its design or performance, but because of its practicality. The compact car manages to get a lot of the major stuff right. It also comes with a great AWD system as standard without breaking the bank.

If Subaru penned a more handsome design and gave the Impreza better performance, it would be more competitive in the class. Up against better looking and performing options, the Impreza languishes near the bottom of the segment.

If you’re looking to get AWD in a compact, you’ll want to check out the Mazda Mazda3. It’s far more upscale than the Impreza, has a better design, and is more enjoyable to drive. It’s also available with a punchy turbocharged engine.

The Honda Civic is the benchmark in the class with much better performance, excellent fuel economy, a spacious cabin, and more standard safety features. It’s not available with AWD, though.

Check prices for the 2021 Subaru Impreza »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L H-4 / 152 HP / 145 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 5-spd man w/OD
Available: Lineartronic 7-spd sequential shift control CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Full-time Symmetrical All-wheel Drive All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
23 / 31 / 27 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L H-4 / 152 HP / 145 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Full-time Symmetrical All-wheel Drive All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
23 / 31 / 27 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$50
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
12.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
100 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
182.7 "
Exterior Width
70.0 "
Exterior Height
57.3 "
Front Headroom
39.8 "
Rear Headroom
37.2 "
Front Legroom
43.1 "
Rear Legroom
36.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,976 Lbs. / 3,047 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
17.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Steel / 16.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote / Power Remote Driver / Power Remote Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround / Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
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, Seek-scan
Speakers
4
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 And Passenger
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
Eyesight Pre-collision Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Eyesight Lane Keep Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Eyesight Pre-collision Braking Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Eyesight Sway Warning Driver Attention
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

Used 2021 Subaru Impreza for Sale

5 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Subaru
2.0i
Color: Magnetite Gray Metallic
Price

$18,669

Mileage

36,991 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 200-2277
Subaru
Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback
Color: Crystal White Pearl
Price

$21,369

Mileage

27,204 mi

Map location icon

Subaru Santa Monica (8 mi)

Phone: (310) 752-0777
Subaru
2.0i Sport
Color: Magnetite Gray Metallic
Price

$21,775

Mileage

43,138 mi

Map location icon

Oxnard Mazda (49 mi)

Phone: (805) 307-0090
Subaru
Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Hatchback
Color: Crystal White Pearl
Price

$21,995

Mileage

32,003 mi

Map location icon

Irvine Subaru (46 mi)

Phone: (949) 837-3500
See All Used Car Listings

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