Two of Subaru’s smaller vehicles, the Impreza and Crosstrek have arrived with full redesigns for the 2024 model year. With both vehicles getting redesigned and being two of the more affordable vehicles in Subaru’s lineup, shoppers may find themselves comparing the two vehicles when shopping for a new Subaru.
In this comparison, we’ll take a look at how the Impreza and Crosstrek stack up to one another in key areas that include pricing, fuel economy, performance, size, and interior space. In the end, we’ll name a winner that’s the better option for more shoppers.
Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek Price
While the Impreza is a compact car and the Crosstrek is a subcompact SUV, the two vehicles are similar to one another in price.
The cheapest Subaru Impreza is the base trim which starts at $24,085, while the most expensive Subaru Impreza costs $28,975. The most affordable Subaru Crosstrek is the base trim which costs $26,290 and the most expensive Subaru Crosstrek is the Limited which is priced at $33,290.
The difference in price between the base Impreza and Crosstrek is $2,205. There’s a difference of $4,315 when you compare range-topping trims to one another.
As the more affordable model, the Impreza tends to be available with cheaper lease deals than the Crosstrek. Both vehicles are available with similar financing rates for shoppers who are interested in purchasing a model.
Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek MPG
Both the Impreza and Crosstrek come with similar powertrains, which explains why they’re similar to one another when it comes to fuel economy. The standard Impreza comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s rated at up to 30 mpg combined, while the available 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine can get up to 29 mpg combined.
The Crosstrek also comes with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but it can get up to 29 mpg combined. With the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the Crosstrek is still rated at 29 mpg combined.
Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek Engine & Performance
Subaru offers the Impreza and Crosstrek with identical powertrains, despite the fact that they’re different body styles. Both the Impreza and Crosstrek come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. The base engine is rated at 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.
Both vehicles are also available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with a CVT and AWD. Unsurprisingly, the engine produces 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque in both options.
With similar powertrains, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that the Impreza and Crosstrek offer similar performance. The Crosstrek is slightly heavier, so acceleration is down slightly on the Impreza, but it’s not by much.
As a subcompact SUV, the Crosstrek is a more rugged option than the Impreza. This is apparent from the Crosstrek’s rugged design, but also by its high ground clearance of 8.7 inches (9.3 inches with the Wilderness trim). The Impreza hatchback is a traditional car, so it sits lower on the ground with just 5.1 inches of ground clearance. This gives the Impreza better-handling capability than the Crosstrek, while the Crosstrek offers better off-roading capability.
Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek Size
Surprisingly, the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek are similar in size. The compact Impreza is 176.2 inches long, 70.1 inches wide, and 58.3 inches tall. While the Crosstrek is an SUV, it’s a subcompact one that’s 176.5 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 62.8 inches tall.
The biggest differentiator between the Impreza and Crosstrek is the subcompact SUV’s height. The Crosstrek is 4.5 inches taller than the Impreza, giving drivers better off-roading capability.
Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek Passenger & Cargo Space
With the Impreza and Crosstrek being close to one another based on exterior dimensions, the two vehicles have a similar amount of interior space. Passengers will find that both vehicles have the same amount of space on the inside.
As a hatchback, the Impreza offers nearly the same versatility as the Crosstrek. The Impreza has 20.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 56 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The Crosstrek is slightly down on cargo capacity, as it has 19.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a total of 54.7 cubic feet of space.
Which Is Better? Subaru Impreza vs. Crosstrek
The Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek are basically the same vehicle with one major difference: one sits slightly taller off the ground than the other. With that in mind, the decision mostly comes down to whether you plan on going off-roading. Since most people won’t ever see anything more extreme than a gravel road, the Impreza is the winner in our eyes. It’s cheaper, slightly more efficient, and more enjoyable to drive than the Crosstrek.
While the Crosstrek isn’t the winner in this comparison, it’s a good option for shoppers who want a small SUV with a rugged design, standard AWD, and good off-roading capability. For drivers looking to go well off the beaten path, the available Wilderness trim is one of the more capable subcompact SUVs on sale today.
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