2021 Subaru Impreza
| MSRP | $21,401 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $19,995 |
What Should I Pay
5 for sale near you
Other years
2021 Subaru Impreza Review
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Roomy cabin is quiet and comfortable
- Plenty of advanced driver safety features
- Available manual transmission for those who want to row their own gears
- Slow and noisy acceleration
- Lower-quality interior materials compared to many rivals
- Hard to match fuel economy estimates in the real world
- Premium trim level now comes with Subaru's SI-Drive engine management
- Part of the fifth Impreza generation introduced for 2017
The Subaru Impreza offers two body styles: sedan and hatchback. Both come standard with all-wheel drive, which could be appealing if you live in a cold-weather region and need the extra traction. Furthering the niche appeal here is the car's available manual transmission. Few automakers bother to offer one these days, so credit to Subaru for keeping the flame alive for people who enjoy the more tactile feeling of a clutch and manual shifter.
In other aspects, however, the Impreza is pretty average. Rivals such as the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3 have more refined interiors and better powertrain choices. So is the Impreza for you? Read our full Edmunds rating of the Impreza to see how it rates in regard to performance, comfort, utility and more.
Our verdict | |
The Impreza is roomy and provides extra wet-weather traction because of its standard all-wheel-drive system. But the engine and transmission are a bit of a letdown. | |
How does the Impreza drive? | |
The weak engine is one of the Impreza's biggest failings. Its 0-60 mph time of 9.4 seconds is near the bottom of the class, and the transmission can exacerbate the engine's buzzy and relatively unresponsive nature. Passing on the highway or merging into traffic requires more time and planning than it should. It's not all bad news. The brakes are firm and easy to control, meaning you can bring the car to a smooth stop with ease. The steering is quick and responsive without feeling unsettled, and it's sportier relative to the steering in most competitors. Body roll is well controlled, and standard all-wheel drive helps the Impreza feel more sure-footed than some other small sedans. | |
How comfortable is the Impreza? | |
With a relatively quiet and smooth ride, the Impreza is a breeze to drive on the highway. It's comfortable and compliant without feeling too soft or floaty. There's no wind noise, but the continuously variable automatic transmission does result in some unpleasant whine. The seats are comfortable and well bolstered even if they are a bit on the firm side for long road trips. The rear seats are flat but comfortable. The available automatic climate control is easy to operate, but the vents aren't well placed. A couple of the main air vents are right next to the steering wheel, right where you would grip, unfortunately cooling your fingers quicker than the cabin. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Impreza's interior is definitely functional. The controls are clear and easy to use, and the secondary screen on the top of the dash is more useful than it may seem at first. The Impreza is easy to see out of, especially in hatchback form. There's plenty of room for passengers, though those over 6 feet tall might find the rear seats a little tight. The large door openings make it easy to get in and out. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, offering plenty of adjustment for drivers of any size or shape. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The touchscreen is laid out much like a smartphone homescreen. It's familiar, easy to see and understand, and responsive to touch inputs. The navigation command structure is simple, and finding points of interest is easy. But the stereo's speaker quality and max volume could be better. The EyeSight system's adaptive cruise control works well. It maintains a proper distance and doesn't slam on the brakes when you get cut off or follow too far behind. The lane keeping assist system also works well. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Between the two available Impreza bodies — sedan and hatchback — we'd recommend the hatch. The sedan has limited trunk space compared to class leaders such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3. Storage for small items is fine, but some competitors do better. There are plenty of cupholders, all capable of fitting a standard water bottle or soda can. Child seat accommodation is excellent. The latches are easy to access, and you'll find three anchor points behind the rear seat. The roomy interior means there's a good amount of room for bulky rear-facing child seats. | |
How economical is the Impreza? | |
The EPA estimates the Impreza sedan with the CVT automatic, its most fuel-efficient configuration, will get 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's right on target for the segment's top competitors. But real-world fuel economy is disappointing; our test Impreza struggled to yield even 28 mpg. | |
Is the Impreza a good value? | |
In lower trim levels, the Impreza is a good way to get all-wheel drive without a big price premium. But as you move up the trim-level ladder, the rising cost makes the Subaru a less compelling offering. The interior isn't as nice as what you'll find in some other small sedans, and no features help the Impreza stand out in the class. | |
Wildcard | |
It's certainly a plus that the Impreza is one of the few cars in the class with all-wheel drive. But the lackluster engine reduces desirability. The Impreza is simply too slow compared to some rivals. It's a good car but lacks the desirability of the class leaders. | |
Which Impreza does Edmunds recommend?
Check out the Impreza's midlevel Premium trim. Rather than feeling bare-bones like the base trim, it comes with a few creature comforts such as heated front seats and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver safety aids. Tech-savvy buyers will want to consider the Sport or Limited trim level for the upgraded 8-inch infotainment system.
Subaru Impreza models
The 2021 Subaru Impreza is available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. Features on the four trims are broadly similar for both body styles. The four trims available are the base, Premium, Sport and Limited.
Save as much as $2,183 with Edmunds
2021 Subaru Impreza pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Base
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$19,995
3 for sale in 20147
Premium
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$23,007
9 for sale in 20147
Sport
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$24,826
3 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Subaru Impreza.
Trending topics in reviews
- fuel efficiency
- driving experience
- appearance
- interior
Most helpful consumer reviews
3/5 stars, Impressed by the Impreza 5 stars out of 5 stars
Bigmoe,
Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2021 Impreza sport hatchback is a great car. I am averaging 30 mpg in the city. Many complain about the power. I find it accelerates just fine and the ride is very smooth. Get the Harmon Kardon sound system and you want regret it.
4/5 stars, Smooth Ride
Ryan Smo,
Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Smooth, responsive, and good on gas. I got black exterior and black interior. It looks extremely crisp.
5/5 stars, Very pleased
Wilma,
4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I felt loyal to a certain brand but because of the reviews, incentives and quality I bought one. I am very happy with my new vehicle.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Impreza safety features:
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Sounds an audible warning when vehicles are approaching from the side, such as when backing out of a parking space.
- Subaru EyeSight
- Bundles several driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and lane keeping assist.
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Applies the brakes automatically if a collision is deemed imminent while reversing.
Subaru Impreza vs. the competition
2021 Subaru Impreza
2021 Mazda 3
Subaru Impreza vs. Mazda 3
Much like the Impreza, the Mazda 3 is offered in both sedan and hatchback configurations. The Mazda 3 doesn't come standard with all-wheel drive like the Impreza, but Mazda does offer it as an option on certain trim levels. The Mazda 3 is also more refined on the inside. In the Impreza's favor is its more spacious rear seating. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda 3.
Subaru Impreza vs. Honda Civic
Some shoppers might pass up the Honda Civic because it doesn't offer all-wheel drive before even giving it a chance. But if you don't need the all-weather capability, the Civic is our favorite small car. It's spacious and refined and comes as both a sedan and a hatchback. Its turbocharged engine has more power and better fuel economy too.
Subaru Impreza vs. Kia Forte
If you're looking for a bit of driving fun in an affordable package, the Kia Forte (specifically in the GT trim) is a great place to start your search. The Forte doesn't offer all-wheel drive, but it does have a spacious trunk, an easy-to-use interior interface, and lots of features for the money. It rides a bit stiff compared to the Subaru, however.
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FAQ
Is the Subaru Impreza a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Impreza both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. You probably care about Subaru Impreza fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Impreza gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg to 31 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Impreza has 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Subaru Impreza. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Subaru Impreza?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Subaru Impreza:
- Premium trim level now comes with Subaru's SI-Drive engine management
- Part of the fifth Impreza generation introduced for 2017
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
To determine whether the Subaru Impreza is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Impreza. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Impreza's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Subaru Impreza is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Impreza and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Impreza is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Subaru Impreza?
The least-expensive 2021 Subaru Impreza is the 2021 Subaru Impreza 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $18,795.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $20,095
- Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,195
- Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,595
- 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $18,795
- Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,895
What are the different models of Subaru Impreza?
If you're interested in the Subaru Impreza, the next question is, which Impreza model is right for you? Impreza variants include 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M). For a full list of Impreza models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more