2020 Subaru Impreza
| MSRP | $21,367 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay Based on nearby sales up through June 7th | $19,286 |
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2020 Subaru Impreza Review
- Standard all-wheel drive delivers secure handling and wet-weather traction
- The 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
- Interior materials are lower-quality compared to many rivals
- Hard to match fuel economy estimates in the real world
- EyeSight Driver Assist is now standard on Premium and Sport sedans
- Revised headlights, grille and front bumper on hatchbacks
- Other features are now standard for select trims
- Part of the fifth Impreza generation introduced for 2017
The fifth-gen Subaru Impreza has been on sale for a few years. Now, for 2020, Subaru is giving it a minor update to help keep things fresh. The changes include more standard equipment and updated front-end styling. As before, you get standard all-wheel drive, which is rare for this class of car. The increased traction can be compelling to those who live in wet or snowy climates and don't want to own a crossover SUV.
That said, the basic package of the 2020 Impreza is still the same. That means most of our praises and complaints about the 2019 model carry over to 2020. The engine is noisy and still feels underpowered for the class, and the lackluster real-world fuel economy makes it worse. The quality of the interior also comes across as a little low buck, especially compared to some of the newer competitors.
Do some test drives and you'll likely find rivals such as the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra more well-rounded. But that's not to say we don't like this Subaru. It's comfortable and roomy and comes with lots of advanced driver safety aids. Add in the standard all-wheel drive and you've got a pretty compelling small car, especially if you frequently drive in poor weather.
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 modulate, 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 CVT 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 are ill-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 31 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? | |
At base 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 out in the class. | |
Wildcard | |
Being one of the few cars in the class with all-wheel drive is certainly a plus. 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?
The Impreza in Base trim is pretty spartan and lacks a lot of features most people have come to expect. We recommend stepping up to the Premium trim. The extra money gets you features such as heated seats, an extra USB port and a better audio system. Some other little things, such as the Premium's extra sound insulation, painted exterior trim and alloy wheels, help make it feel like far less of a budget model.
Subaru Impreza models
Like many compacts, the 2020 Subaru Impreza is available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. Features on the four trims are roughly identical for both body styles. The trims — base, Premium, Sport and Limited — are all powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 145 lb-ft) and pack all-wheel drive. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic.
Save as much as $2,081 with Edmunds
2020 Subaru Impreza pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Base
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$19,286
Premium
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$22,554
Sport
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$24,743
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Subaru Impreza.
Trending topics in reviews
- interior
- technology
- comfort
- fuel efficiency
- maintenance & parts
- acceleration
- infotainment system
- climate control
- transmission
- seats
- oil
- spaciousness
- engine
- handling & steering
- value
- sound system
- wheels & tires
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- road noise
- doors
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Fun and high-tech daily driver!
Andrew ,
Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I recently bought a 2020 Impreza Sport hatchback with manual transmission. Compared to my 2017 base model Impreza, this one is MUCH nicer. I notice road and wind noise is significantly quieter, and the sound of the boxer engine is softer as well, so Subaru must have added more insulation to the car to make it quieter. My wife and I also love the heated front seats. My old Impreza took forever to warm up in the winter, and now I am able to get warm within 2 minutes of getting into the car. The heated mirrors are nice to have in winter as well.
The amount of and ease-of-use of the technology is great. Since I opted for the manual transmission, I don’t have the EyeSight safety features, but the 8-inch LCD screen is great and comes with STARLINK as well as lots of info about the performance of the car (gas mileage, oil temp, tire pressure, etc). And the backup cam is my favorite of any car I’ve ever driven. Also, the sport cloth is a classy and unique touch, as are the 18-inch alloy wheels. I don’t mind that the gas mileage doesn’t compare to rival car brands because I like having all-wheel drive all the time. If you’re comfortable with manual transmission, I’d recommend going with it over the more popular CVT transmission because acceleration feels sportier and less sluggish than the CVT. If you want a sporty, fun car with all-wheel drive, I’d definitely recommend this car.
5/5 stars, Great car for the price
Jerry,
4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
For an all wheel drive Subaru, the price is low compared to many others on the market. Very tight care with a sporty feel.
1/5 stars, 4 trips to dealer to fix problems
Alex,
Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Bought premium version in September 2020. It is November 2020 now. So far 5 trips to the dealer to replace remote engine start module, central console unit (I do not know what it is called), and rear callipers. The radio keeps rebooting itself while driving. The front suspension makes noise that mechanics, so far, cannot replicate. And all of this is in less than 2 months if ownership. So far, the car spent about 16 days at the dealership being fixed. I guess I drew the short straw when I was dealt a car...
4/5 stars, Excellent car, could use a bit more power
ed,
4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Have the base model with CVT. Handling and stability is excellent. No torque steer, even in the wet, due to symmetrical AWD, outstanding traction in wet and snowy conditions. Live in Minnesota, so AWD is primary reason for getting the car. Plenty of room inside, (got the 5 door so can fold down rear seats), excellent for highway cruising with adaptive cruise, and is quiet for the class. Relatively small dimensions and nimble handling make it also very good for city driving.
Now to the negatives that almost every road tester beats on the car for.
First, interior quality. Often is criticized, but is adequate IMO. Easy to use entertainment system, materials are fine for the class. Seats could be a bit better, but I once did 800 miles in one day, mostly in heavy rain, without undue discomfort, and felt totally confident of traction.
Finally, engine performance. Roundly criticized by almost every tester, but it more than adequate, IMO. Fuel economy is also very good considering AWD is active all the time. Currently am averaging 32 mpg in mixed, mostly freeway driving, with heavy use of the A/C. Average in mid 20s in winter, with balance more toward stop and go driving. Feels plenty quick in city driving, can cruise 80 mph all day on the interstate(have the ticket to prove it). Occasionally feels flat in light throttle acceleration at moderate speeds, but other than that is more than adequate. The rest of the car is so outstanding, though, that it is unfortunate that it does not have a bit more power. Supposedly the Forester 2.5 L engine is coming to some Crosstrek models in 2021, so hopefully will eventually filter down to the Impreza.
Helpful shopping links
2020 Subaru Impreza video
2017 Subaru Impreza Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 Subaru Impreza, but since the 2020 Subaru Impreza is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Edmunds' Josh Sadlier takes you on a walk around of the 2017 Subaru Impreza. He goes over specs, design, the interior and more.
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
2020 Subaru Impreza
2020 Subaru Legacy
Subaru Impreza vs. Subaru Legacy
The Legacy is the Impreza's larger sibling. Like most of Subaru's lineup, the Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive, a feature that's not available in most of the competition. Other standard equipment is similar. The Legacy features more room for passengers and cargo, but expect to pay more for the space.
Subaru Impreza vs. Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek is basically an Impreza hatchback with extra ground clearance and more aggressive styling. Otherwise, aspects such as the engine and interior design are all the same. You'll pay a little more to get a Crosstrek, but the distinctive outdoorsy character is certainly worth it.
Subaru Impreza vs. Honda Civic
The Civic is our top-ranked sedan for a good reason, and, like the Impreza, it's available as both a sedan and a hatch. There's even a coupe version, which is a rarity these days. The Civic nails just about everything you want from a small car, including plenty of room, lots of features and pleasing performance. But if you want all-wheel drive, the Impreza is the way to go.
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FAQ
Is the Subaru Impreza a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 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 2020 Subaru Impreza?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Subaru Impreza:
- EyeSight Driver Assist is now standard on Premium and Sport sedans
- Revised headlights, grille and front bumper on hatchbacks
- Other features are now standard for select trims
- 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 2020 Subaru Impreza a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Subaru Impreza is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 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 2020 Impreza is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Subaru Impreza?
The least-expensive 2020 Subaru Impreza is the 2020 Subaru Impreza 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $18,695.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $19,995
- Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,095
- Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,495
- Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,795
- 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $18,695
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 Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Impreza models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more