2024 Subaru Impreza

This new generation of Impreza hatchback — the sedan is discontinued — doesn't look radically different from its 2017-2023 predecessor but it does feature some key improvements. A new 11.6-inch center touchscreen is standard on most Imprezas, giving this small car some bigness where it counts. A host of advanced driver aids are also standard. Mechanically, the 2024 Impreza drives more smoothly and handles more confidently than before and receives a more powerful engine in the new RS trim level. And yes, all-wheel drive is still standard equipment.

Power from either engine is run through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the Impreza's standard all-wheel drive. Sport and RS models get a revised CVT that has eight programmed shift points and shift paddles to impart a more traditionally sportier driving experience. A manual transmission is no longer offered on the Impreza, however.

The RS exclusively gets the new 2.5-liter engine, and this is the engine to get in our opinion. The extra power compared to the carryover 2.0-liter engine fitted to the Base and Sport trims — one we previously described as "one of the car's biggest failings" — is noticeable and appreciated. This is especially true when you need to quickly accelerate onto a highway or make a pass of a slow-moving vehicle. Still, 186 hp is still not a whole lot, and the engine's 6,000-rpm redline is a 7 p.m. curfew limit on the party otherwise promised by the RS' sporty styling flourishes. Think of the RS as a mild hatch, not a hot hatch.

Subaru hasn't provided any acceleration times for the new Impreza. The last Impreza 2.0-liter we tested leisurely made its way to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds. We'll know more once we're able to fully test the 2024 Impreza in the coming months.

Most adults should be comfortable up front, and the rear seats have enough space for kids or adults up to about 6 feet tall. Installing a rear-facing child safety seat shouldn't be too much trouble either. Subaru also likes to point out that a lot of Impreza owners use their cars to transport their dogs. We can't verify this statement but logic holds that the Impreza should satisfy as well if you've got fur babies instead of the wrinkly pink ones. (What if you've got dogs and kids? Well, friend, there's that three-row Subaru Ascent over there on the dealer lot …)

Fitted to the Sport and RS trims is Subaru's large 11.6-inch vertically oriented infotainment screen that it's been offering in most of its recent generation vehicles. This contains controls for the climate control as well as other vehicle functions and offers integrated wireless smartphone connectivity for both Apple and Android phones. It responds quickly to touches and supports future software updates that can be done over the air rather than at a dealership.

Subaru's latest version of EyeSight — that's what it calls its suite of advanced driver aids — is standard on all Impreza models. Improvements have been made to allow the systems to operate more quickly and in a greater range of conditions. The standard technologies still include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane departure mitigation. Models fitted with the available blind-spot warning system also have a new intervention assist function that can potentially help steer the Impreza to avoid a forward collision under 50 mph.