Sometimes, too much can be a bad thing. Similar to sorting through a menu from The Cheesecake Factory, Subaru offers the current Impreza in sedan and hatchback body styles with a total of seven different trims. With the fully redesigned 2024 Impreza, Subaru is simplifying the small car’s lineup considerably by dropping the sedan body style. Beyond the body style change, the Impreza has undergone a few other large changes that should make the car more competitive in the compact class.
The new Impreza arrives with a much sharper design than the previous generation that matches the look found on the new WRX and the upcoming 2024 Crosstrek. The move to only offer the 2024 Impreza as a hatchback makes plenty of sense, as a Subaru spokesperson told Automotive News that the body style accounted for 73% of all Impreza sales so far in 2022. With the Impreza now only being available as a hatchback, Subaru has created more space between the affordable model and the performance-oriented WRX. Subaru has drastically trimmed down the Impreza’s lineup for 2024, as the model will be offered in base, Sport, and RS trims.
All-wheel drive will continue to be standard on the 2024 Impreza and one of the compact car’s more standout qualities. The AWD system has been upgraded with a new active torque vectoring system, while the dual-pinion electronic steering rack has been taken from the WRX for improved steering feel. The Impreza’s frame has 10% more structural rigidity than before, too. Unfortunately, the base and Sport trims continue to come with the underpowered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes just 152 horsepower. An engine upgrade comes with the RS trim, which has a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s rated at 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. All engines now come with a continuously variable automatic transmission as standard, as the five-speed manual transmission is no longer available.
With the CVT coming as standard, every Impreza now comes with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety features as standard. The RS is the only trim in the lineup to come with blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency steering as standard. New for 2024 is the introduction of an available 11.6-inch touchscreen that’s standard on the Sport trim.
Pricing has yet to be announced for the 2024 Impreza, but the compact hatchback is expected to arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2023. With its new tech features, more well-rounded list of standard safety features, and upgraded AWD system, the Impreza is better suited to compete with the Mazda3, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla, which are all available as hatchbacks. Where the Impreza continues to lag behind its competitors is on the performance front, as its standard engine is one of the least powerful in the class – the Civic comes with a 158-hp four-cylinder as standard. The Mazda3 is an absolute powerhouse with an available 250-hp engine. While the 2024 Impreza still lacks the same performance as its rivals, consumers don’t have to make concessions when it comes to tech, design, or safety with the new model.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)