2020 Subaru Impreza

Subaru is a legendary name in the world of Automobiles due its rallying heritage from the past. They wanted to give the same rallying attributes to their road going cars and hence the Impreza was born. A testimonial to this rallying heritage is the fact that the Subaru Impreza is the only car in its segment that offers AWD as standard on all the trims of its 2020 Impreza Sedan.

 The 2020 Subaru Impreza starts at $18,595 for the base variant and goes over $25,000 for the top of the line Limited Variant. The famed 2.0L Subaru Boxer 4 Cylinder engine provides its services in the 2020 Impreza Sedan.

The Impreza, over its years of existence in the US has been loved by the consumers because of its low depreciation value, great reliability and practicality. The Impreza does seem to do replicate the same qualities but let’s go deep into the review, to find out more about the Sedan.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza Sedan comes in a Total of 4 Trims, starting from the base Sedan followed by the ‘Premium’, ‘Sport’ and the Top of the Line ‘Limited’ trim. Prices start from $18,595 and goes over $25,000 with a variety of add-ons available to be added on to the Sedan.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza Sedan comes in a Total of 4 Trims, starting from the base Sedan followed by the ‘Premium’, ‘Sport’ and the Top of the Line ‘Limited’ trim. Prices start from $18,595 and goes over $25,000 with a variety of add-ons available to be added on to the Sedan.

Trim	Sedan	Premium Sedan	Sport Sedan	Limited Sedan
MSRP	$18,595	$21,595	$22,195	$25,190
Features	5 Speed Manual Transmission	Adds these to Base Trim	Adds to or Upgrades from Premium Trim	Adds to or Upgrades from Premium Trim
	6.5” Starlink Multimedia System with 4 Speakers with Apple Car Play and Android Auto	6.5” Multimedia PLUS system with 6 Speaker	8.0” Multimedia System with 6 Speaker	8.0” Multimedia System with 6 Speakers
	Incline Start Assist	Heated Front Seats	Body Colored Side Rocker Spoilers	Eyesight Driver Assist Technology
	Tire Pressure Monitor	Starlink Safety, Security	Stainless Tip Exhaust	Fog Lights
	Rear Vision Camera	Paddle Shifters	Trunk Spoiler	Powered Driver’s Seats
	Electronic Power Assist Steering	Heated Side mirrors & windshield wiper de-icer	Active Torque Vectoring	Folding Rear Seat Armrest with 2 Cupholders
	16” Steel wheels with Covers	16” Aluminum Alloy Wheels	18” Aluminum Alloy Wheels	17” Aluminum Alloy Wheels
	Multi Reflector Halogen headlamps with DRL’s	Auto On/Off Headlamps	Roof Crossbar Mounting points	LED Steering Responsive Headlamps
	60/40 Split Flat folding rear seats	Lineartronic CVT transmission	5 Speed Manual Transmission	Lineartronic CVT transmission with 7 Speed Manual Control via Paddle Shifters
	Power Windows and Side mirrors		Integrated Turn Signal on ORVM	Automatic Climate Control
	Electronic Cruise Control		Red Contrast Stitching	High Beam Assist
	Steering Wheel Mounted Controls	Body Colored Side Folding Mirrors	Leather Wrapped Steering wheel and Gear Shift Handle	Leather Trimmed upholstery
	Manual Tilt/Telescopic adjust Steering wheel		Aluminum Alloy Pedal Covers
	Front, Front Side Impact, Curtain and Driver Knee Airbags		Keyless Access with Push Button Start	Chrome Door handles

Trim to Choose

The Base Trim would be a fabulous purchase if you are looking for a Car with AWD. That said, if you live in areas where it is cold most of the Time, we would suggest the Premium Trim as it gives features like Heated Seats and Mirrors, which we feel is a must have in those situations.

Subaru offers only one engine for the Impreza: a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This is about average for the compact class, although competitors offer optional engines that are more powerful. However, unlike any other stablemate, the Impreza comes with all-wheel drive standard –Cnet.com

Engine and Transmission

The 2020 Subaru Impreza Sedan on sale in USA comes powered with a Trademark 2.0L Subaru Boxer 4 Cylinder motor that generates 152hp and 145lbs-ft of Torque. The power does seem comparable to the other Sedans in the segment but may disappoint drivers, who wanted an enthusiastic drive.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze LS Sedan
MSRP	$19,595	$20,240	$18,100	$18,700	$20,250	$20,240	$20,400
Engine	2.0L Boxer 4	1.4L Turbo Inline 4	2.0 L inline-four	1.8 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	1.4L Turbo Inline 4
Transmission	CVT	8 Speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	CVT	CVT	6-speed Auto	6 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	152hp@6000rpm	147hp@5000rpm	147hp @ 6200 rpm	132hp @ 6000 rpm	158hp @ 6500 rpm	155hp @ 6000 rpm	153hp@5600rpm
Torque	145lbs-ft@4000rpm	184lbs-ft@1400rpm	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm	128 lb-ft@4400	138 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	150 lb.-ft. @4000 rpm	177lbs-ft@2000-4000

The Impreza is however, one of the few cars in the segment that offers a manual transmission in more than one trim. The Manual is standard on the base trim and on the “Sport” trim. The Manual control in the Sport trim does add to the sportiness of the car.

The Standard CVT transmission offers “dull” acceleration but this may be due to the fact that the same has been tuned for extracting better efficiency out of the Motor. Aside from this, the top end ‘limited’ trim comes with Paddle Shifters coupled to the CVT that allows the driver to take control of the gears via a 7 Speed Gear Mechanism.

Acceleration

The 2020 Subaru Impreza Sedan is on the Higher Power band Side of the Compact Sedan which means that the acceleration should be decent. This would have been the case if the Weight of the Impreza sedan were a bit low as compared to the segment it is in. The Impreza is let down by its heft and the Motor isn’t powerful enough, to compensate for that weight. 

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
0-60 MPH(sec)	8.4	7.7	8.3	9.4	8.2	8.0	7.7
Quarter mile(sec)	17.1	16.0	16.4	17.2	16.3	16.2	16.3
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.5	5.2	10.2	9.8	8.4	11.2	5.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3034	2959	2767	2840	2742	2899	2870

One of the good things about the engine of the Subaru is the fact that despite not being turbocharged like the Cruze or the VW, the Impreza delivers similar emission figures which is “Impressive” to say the least.

Ride and Handling

The Subaru Impreza is the only car in the compact sedan segment that comes with a Standard AWD setup. This fact undoubtedly makes it one of the best Handling Cars in the segment. There is minimal Body Roll and the Chassis feels well balanced to contain the roll.

The Steering is well sorted as well, offering great feel and feedback at all times. It precisely turns in the direction you want it to without offering much fuss and drama.

The Ride comfort on the Impreza is “Impressive”. The Suspension has been well tuned to handle most pot holes and speed humps with relative ease and comfort without being too bouncy. The Wind Noise is well contained at all speeds but the Road Noise may creep it at higher speeds without being unsettling at any time.

Braking

The 2020 Subaru Impreza comes with a great set of Brakes that offer Stupendous Feedback as soon as you press the Pedal. The Brakes offer great stopping power when there is need to cut down from highway speeds to School zone speeds or a dead halt.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Brake Front (in.)	11.6	11.5	10.3	10.8	10.2	10.7	10.8
Brake Rear (in.)	10.8	10.8	9.7	9.1	9.8	9.5	10.4
70-0 MPH (ft.)	120(60-0MPH)	191	182	183	180	179	110(60-0MPH)

The Honda Civic does have one of the best brakes in the segment but the Subaru with its AWD system, adds tremendous amount of Confidence while Braking in Rainy Conditions and Snowy/Slippery Conditions.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza doesn’t fail to impress, when it comes to MPG Figures. The Overall MPG figures for the Impreza betters/matches the rest of the Segment despite being the only Car in the Segment, to feature an AWD setup.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
MPG (city)	28	30	28	28	32	27	30
MPG (highway)	38	39	37	35	42	36	39
MPG (combined)	32	34	32	31	36	30	33
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	13.2	13.2	14	13.2	12.39	13.2	13.7

The 422.4 Mile Range may not match the Chevy Cruze’s 450+ Mile range but is better than top selling cars like the Corolla and the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The Impreza's interior is pleasant, but not revolutionary. Subaru uses extensive upscale materials and soft-touch surfaces on the dash and doors –KBB.com

Layout, Seating and Comfort

In terms of Interior Design, the Impreza continues to sport a similar design as the 2018 version and Subaru hasn’t changed it much. That being said, the Buttons for Radio and Climate are Easy to access and use and it is evident that they have been thoughtfully laid out.

In terms of Seating, the Impreza seats 5 people with Ease and without much discomfort. There is oodles of Space inside the Cabin and plenty of Headroom and Legroom in the front and rear for most passengers. Taller passengers however, may find the rear a little tight but this is a condition existent in all other competitors.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/56.7/43.1	38.5/55.9/41.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	39.3/57.0/37.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	38.8/56.2/42.3	38.9/54.8/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/55.6/36.5	37.2/54/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/55.0/35.7	37.3/53.7/36.1

The Seats have been well cushioned and have been bolstered adequately for providing good support to passengers over long rides or daily commutes. The Rear Seats are relatively flat as compared to the competition but are comfortable enough to not tire you out over long commutes.

Cargo Capacity

The Cargo Capacity of the 2020 Subaru Impreza ranks amongst the lowest in its class. That being said, the Boot is good enough for Carrying Groceries and Luggage for Weekend Commutes. People looking for more Cargo space also have the option of going for the Hatchback variant of the Impreza that offers higher Cargo space.

Models	Subaru Impreza Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Cargo Capacity (lbs.)	12.3	14.1	15.2	12.4	13.0	14.4	14.8

Despite having a lower Cargo space, the Impreza offers a wider Cargo loading bay than last year that offers easier access to the Boot Area. The Cabin has a decent number of cubby holes and storage space inside the Cabin but they may not be Deep enough or big enough to store standard size bottles and cups.

Infotainment System

Subaru has completely redesigned the Infotainment System for the 2020 Impreza. The Infotainment System now has a bigger 8” display and a 4.2” Secondary Driver’s information Display. The System has got a major revamp in its Layout and Interface and now offers a host of Connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The Infotainment System feels very easy to use and learn and Voice Recognition works well, when the System has got accustomed with the voice of the passenger/driver. One slight niggle maybe the Magnitude of the Sound produced by the Speakers that could have been higher.

Interior Features

The 2020 Impreza has improved on the features offered on the inside. Subaru has added features like Apple Car Play and Android Auto, to keep itself at pace with the competition. Some other Features include

• 8” Touchscreen infotainment System
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play
• Voice recognition and Control for Audio Controls and Telephony
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Powered Driver Seats
• Push Button Start
• Steering Mounted Audio, Cruise and Telephony Controls
• Heated Front Seats

The fifth generation Subaru Impreza debuted for 2017. The 2020 model carries over -- an unsurprising fact, given that Subaru isn’t known for making updates for the sake of making updates –Cargurus.com

Design

There isn’t much to talk about the design of the 2020 Subaru Impreza. That’s because the Impreza carries forward more or less unchanged from the 2018 edition.

The Designs stays conservative and simple, which doesn’t make the Subaru standout from the rest of the Competition.The new 18” Alloy Wheels and an Exterior Body Kit in the “Sport” Trim differentiates it from the rest of the trims of the Impreza and helps it stand out from the rest of its family.

Dimensions and Weights

The 2020 Subaru Impreza has remain unchanged in terms of the dimensions from its 2018 iteration. The Impreza remains one of the shortest cars in the segment and this gives it an advantage while parking it in tight areas or moving through crowded spaces. The Low Ground Clearance on the Impreza improves its Center of Gravity but makes its lower body, prone to scraping while passing over speed bumps.

Model	Subaru Impreza	VW Jetta	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	2974	2767	2840	2724	2899	2844	2870
Length(in)	182.1	185.1	183.1	182.3	180.3	181.9	183.7
Width(in)	70.0	70.8	69.9	70.8	70.7	70.9	70.5
Height(in)	57.3	57.4	57.3	55.7	57.3	56.5	57.4
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	5.6	6.7	6.3	6.1	5.3	6.4
Wheelbase (in)	105.1	105.7	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3

The 2020 Subaru Impreza is the heaviest in its Class and this aids it’s High Speed Stability. However, the Mileage takes a small hit and we feel that the Subaru could have yielded Class leading figures, had the weight been a bit lower.

Exterior Features

Since the 2020 Impreza remains mostly unchanged from the 2018 version, there are few visual distinctions between the 2 models. Some of the Exterior features that stand out in the Impreza includes

• 18” Aluminum Alloy Wheels
• LED Steering Responsive headlamps
• Heated Side mirrors with de frosting feature
• Chrome Door Handles
• Roof Crossbar mounting points
• Trunk Spoiler
• Single exhaust outlet with Stainless Tip

Subaru EyeSight bundles a host of active safety features and driver assistance technologies including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Forward-Collision Warnings With Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind-Spot Monitors
• Active Lane Control
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts

The EyeSight is now available as an option from the base trim while the top end limited trim gets it as Standard. The 2020 Subaru Impreza gets the following safety features:

• Engine immobilizer
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Keyless entry system
• Dual-stage deployment driver’s and front passenger’s front airbags(SRS)
• Subaru advanced frontal airbag system(SRS)
• Anti-theft security system
• 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS)
• LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
• Brake Override System
• Rear-vision camera

Subaru Impreza vs. Honda Civic Sedan

The Honda Civic has been one of the most popular compact sedans of the segment. It's practical and Spacious Cabin coupled with a Powerful motor has been its reason of its popularity. The Civic also offers great Handling and a decent ride quality. The Subaru however trumps the Civic in pricing as it is cheaper than the Civic and also offers AWD, which is a boon while driving in Frosty or Slippery conditions.

Subaru Impreza vs. Mazda Mazda3

The Mazda 3 is one of the best performing Sedans in the segment and the Manual Transmission in the Mazda is probably the best in the Segment. Mazda is however yet to update the Mazda 3 for 2020 and is showing its age of late. The Subaru offers a Better infotainment System than the Mazda and the Mazda just can’t match the space offered by the Impreza on the Inside.

Subaru Impreza vs. Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most selling cars of all Time in the World. The Low Cost of Ownership, Fantastic Reliability and Low Pricing. The Corolla however is getting a big facelift in 2020 and the current Gen Corolla looks “Ordinary” and common due to sheer numbers on the Road. The Impreza is by far, a better handler than the Corolla and has been proven to be a Reliable Machine in the past. The Subaru doesn’t depreciate like its other competitors and also offers AWD as a Standard, which we feel is a big Trump card of the Subaru.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza has improved by Leaps and Bounds over its predecessors. It has most features what a Consumer would look for from a Compact Sedan. It has Great Fuel Economy, Copious Amount of Space inside, Good Infotainment System, Nimble handling and an AWD as standard. However, the Impreza suffers from a dull, underpowered engine which dampens the Spirits of Enthusiastic Drivers. For the price at which it is offered though, we feel that the Subaru is a good buy considering the fact, that it is the only car that comes with AWD as standard in this segment.