The all-weather hatchback
The sixth-generation Impreza made two decisive choices: hatchback only (the sedan died in 2023), and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive — still its defining advantage in a front-drive class. For 2026 came a third choice buyers will notice at the register: the base trim is gone, lifting the entry price by about $2,600. The range is now just two cars: Sport at $27,790 and RS at $30,690, both including destination.
Sport or RS
The Sport runs a 152-hp 2.0-liter flat-four; the RS steps up to the 180-hp 2.5. Both use a CVT with an 8-speed manual mode — there is no manual transmission this generation — and both post nearly identical economy: 27/33 mpg for the Sport, 26/33 for the RS, around 29 combined.
The honest performance read: the 2.0 is slow, full stop. The RS's 2.5 doesn't transform the car, but it moves the Impreza from "adequate if patient" to "confident," and its modest price walk includes meaningful equipment. Most buyers who can stretch should.
Both trims carry the 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto standard, strong crash-test results, and hatchback cargo flexibility the Civic sedan crowd gives up.
The honest assessment
The Impreza's case is singular: nothing else this size and price drives all four wheels as standard. If you live where winter is a fact rather than an event, that's worth real money — and with the base trim gone, the "cheapest AWD car in America" title has lapsed, but the value logic survives.
The costs of the badge: more cabin noise than a Mazda3, a CVT that dulls an otherwise secure chassis, and acceleration that trails every turbocharged rival. This is transportation engineering, not entertainment.
The questions buyers actually ask
Impreza or Crosstrek? Mechanical siblings. The Crosstrek adds ride height and outdoorsy cladding for a little more money; the Impreza is lower, marginally sharper, cheaper. Buyers who never leave pavement can save with the Impreza.
Is AWD worth the mpg and price premium over a Civic? In the Snow Belt, usually yes — one avoided incident pays the difference. In mild climates, the Honda is the better pure car.
Reliability? Good — the Impreza is a recurring recommendation in owner-survey data, with no notable current recalls. Boring in the best way.
- Two trims for 2026: Sport $27,790, RS $30,690 (base trim deleted, entry up ~$2,600)
- Standard symmetrical AWD is the class-unique selling point
- RS's 180 hp is the one to buy; the 2.0 Sport is slow
- ~29 mpg combined either way; hatch-only body, no manual gearbox
- Rivals: Honda Civic hatch, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla hatch, Kia K4
Key takeaways
- Two trims for 2026: Sport $27,790, RS $30,690 (base trim deleted, entry up ~$2,600)
- Standard symmetrical AWD is the class-unique selling point
- RS's 180 hp is the one to buy; the 2.0 Sport is slow
- ~29 mpg combined either way; hatch-only body, no manual gearbox
- Rivals: Honda Civic hatch, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla hatch, Kia K4
Sources & further reading
- Subaru of America 2026 pricing and trim announcements
- EPA figures
- US compact-class comparisons, 2026
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
