2021 Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza in its sedan form has all the bells and whistles one looks for in the segment. It’s commodious in its built and most importantly bears an affordable tag, despite the luxuries that it provides. With the 2021 MY, an SI-engine management system has been added to the Premium trim for better performance. Can the sedan weave a magical spell on the buyers, let’s find out?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is made available in four different trims. These range from the Base variant priced at $18,795 to the top-of-the-line Limited variant with an MSRP of $25,895. As standard, it comes equipped with features like a rearview camera, driver-assist technology, and vehicle dynamic control.

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We recommend opting for the 2021 Subaru Impreza Premium trim, which at a diminutively higher price from the base variant adds practical features for an enlightening experience. It delivers balanced and refined performance, thanks to the standard CVT transmission unit and an SI-engine management system that makes the vehicle all the more responsive. Apart from the base features, it also includes an All-Weather and Blind-spot detection package that increases the specification-load considerably.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza features a standard engine option across all four trims. This unit is the traditional 2.0L boxer-4 engine you’d find in other vehicles from the brand but in different states of tuning. Here, it belts out 152hp of power and 145lb.-ft of torque, which on the face of it may seem adequate for a car in its segment, but does not translate into a power-packed performance, when tested. Where the 2021 Impreza does gain ground, however, is in its ride quality that remains undeterred even on rough patches, credit to a standard all-wheel drivetrain.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is available with a 5-speed manual transmission on the base variant as standard and a CVT unit is optional. However, on all other trims, the latter is the only option. The compact sedan can sprint from 0-60mph in 9 seconds and can breach the quarter-mile mark in 16.9 seconds. As mentioned earlier, the acceleration capabilities are at best underwhelming, but with a precise steering system and controlled body roll, it manages a comfortable ride quality.

In comparison, all three sedans are eerily similar both in terms of powertrain setup and the performance they deliver. While each sedan makes use of an inline-4 engine mated to a CVT unit and is channeled as an FWD setup, the 2021 Civic produces the highest power and is rated at 158hp. However, it is the Subaru that is the torquiest. When tested for their performance, all three sedans from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai clock around 8.2 seconds to the 60mph mark. While the 2021 Corolla has a similar top speed as the Subaru, the 2021 Elantra leads the segment recording 122 MPH.

How well does the 2021 Subaru Impreza handle?

Being a compact sedan, the 2021 Subaru Impreza is easily maneuverable, and even getting in and out of parking spots is no big task. Both in the city and highway, it is easy going and thanks to a precise steering system that allows direct control, the sedan is a delight to drive. The standard AWD is a blessing in disguise and bestows easy movement on uneven terrains and also helps improve driving stability.

With the current iteration, Subaru has also introduced the SI-engine management system to the Premium trim, which makes it all the more responsive to throttle response. While the sedan does lack an element of excitement in its drive, the Impreza feels connected to the road at all times. However, if you’d still want a vehicle that can cut through even more easily, the 2021 Subaru Impreza Hatchback, could be your choice.

Braking Performance

The 2021 Subaru Impreza’s braking performance is not yet known. However, it sports ventilated disc brakes up front and solid disc brakes at the rear which will help the sedan deliver impressively. In addition, it also gets 4-wheel ABS.

When compared, the lightest 2021 Hyundai Elantra features the smallest set of brakes measuring 11 inches at the front and 8 inches at the back. It takes 116ft to come to a halt when decelerating from the 60MPH mark. On the other hand, while performance is not known, the 2021 Honda Civic is equipped with the largest set of brakes measuring 11.1 and 10.2 inches at the front and rear, respectively.

Perhaps the 2021 Subaru Impreza’s glorious run of delivering laudable performance is halted by its inefficient fuel figures. Manual transmission-equipped Impreza sedan is rated at 23 and 31 MPG in the city and on the highway. Combined it averages 26MPG, which is the least in the segment. It does, however, feature a sizable tank that can hold 13.2-gallons of fuel and helps average a range of 303 and 409 miles in the city and on the highway. With the CVT units, efficiency increases to 31 MPG and if you don’t want a guzzler on your hands, we’d let go of the manual transmission.

When compared to the other competitors, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra averages the highest combined efficiency of 37 MPG and has a total fuel capacity of 12.4-gallons covering 453 combined miles. On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Corolla and Honda Civicaverage 33 MPG. While the latter has a similar fuel tank as the 2021 Impreza, it covers a considerable range of 409 city miles and 533 highway miles.

Step inside the cabin and you feel as if an air of freshness has engulfed your surroundings. The 2021 Subaru Impreza’s interior is straightforward and to the point, both in terms of usage and design. The dash layout is clutter-free with the central infotainment screen being surrounded by knobs and buttons for controls. The digital cluster looks quirky and makes the sedan feel on par with its competitors. However, the material quality does feel like a letdown.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza holds comfort in the highest regard. While front seats bestow maximum legroom in the segment, the rear seats feel flat but provide ample lumbar support. The cabin can seat six-footers even without an iota of difficulty and all five passengers inside the car will find themselves in leisure. There is no external noise that seeps inside and the tranquility of the cabin is praiseworthy. However, unlike interior space that comes in the form of door storage pockets, central armrest, and glove box, the cargo capacity of 12.4 cubic feet is the lowest in the segment.

Each sedan in the segment has a total seating capacity of five passengers. While space is proportionate in the Hyundai Elantra, the 2021 Honda Civic leads the segment in cargo capacity with a total trunk volume of 15.1 cubic feet. On the other hand, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corollamanage lower trunk spaces of 14.2 and 13.1 cubic feet, but the latter also suffers from cramped rear seats that are devoid of essential legroom. However, irrespective of space, each sedan sports an ergonomic cabin that is rich in features and easy to use.

Some of the salient interior features include:

• Single zone Front Air Conditioning
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel (except on Base and Premium trims)
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Dual Vanity Mirrors
• Powered Driver Seat (available with 2021 Subaru Impreza Limited trim)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Subaru Impreza features two sets of screens, one that sits centrally on the dashboard and is connected to the infotainment system, while the other sits on top and displays vital information regarding the vehicle. Both screens have inch-perfect resolutions and the lower-placed infotainment unit is touch-sensitive. Each trim gets equipped with Subaru’s Starlink Media system and also gets standard, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The system is easy to use and is immensely intuitive. Some of its other standout features include:

• Optional Harman Kardon Sound System
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• USB Connection
• 6.5-inch touchscreen system (on base and Premium trims)
• 8-inch touchscreen system (on Sport and Limited trims)
• 4G LTE Wi-fi Compatibility

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is one of the few vehicles in the compact sedan segment that vaunts an athletic and sporty design. The unabashed sharpness in its design is likable and even without major updates, it continues to look contemporary and refreshing. The Subaru logo sits up front on the conventional grille and gets surrounded by the imposing headlights, while the sculpted hood and swooping roofline add to the visual appeal. The doors look large and meaty and complement well the design philosophy of the sedan. At the rear, it’s a similar story.

The design strategy is simple and induces elements of complexity in an otherwise graceful setup. Opting for the rear spoiler with the top-level trims makes the Impreza look even more enchanting than it is before. The 2021 Subaru Impreza sits on 16-inch wheels as standard, however, there is an option to upgrade to 18-inch wheels. In terms of proportions and dimensions, it is similar to other vehicles in the segment. It is 182.7 inches long and sports the shortest wheelbase of 105.1 inches. It is also the tallest vehicle yet sports the shortest ground clearance. However, sitting at 5.1 inches from the ground, the 2021 Impreza does look sportier than its rivals.

In terms of general design, each sedan follows a distinct philosophy. While the recently refreshed 2021 Hyundai Elantra looks as athletic as the Subaru, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla also add elements of sophistication to the design. In its stance and size, the Hyundai is the longest and sports a wheelbase that measures 107.1 inches, it is also marginally higher from the ground with a clearance of 5.3 inches and is also the widest sedan. On the other hand, the Honda and Toyota are visibly smaller but sport a similar wheelbase of 106.3 inches.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2021 Subaru Impreza include:

• Multi-reflector Halogen Headlights
• Fog Lamps
• Black/body-colored side mirrors
• Body-colored door handles
• Roof Rails
• Rear Spoiler

Subaru’s improved chassis design ensures the safety of passengers is paramount in all possible scenarios. The 2021 Impreza comes equipped with a number of standard features that include a rearview camera, vehicle dynamics control, and traction and stability control. With a sturdy build and abundant safety features, the sedan scores impressively in crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and IIHS, managing top-notch ratings. Some of its other safety specifications include:

• Brake Override System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Daytime Running Lights
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Blind-Spot Detection Package
• Eyesight Driver Assist Technology

2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Honda Civic

Perhaps, the 2021 Honda Civic is the closest competitor there is to the 2021 Subaru Impreza. While both sedans are available with CVT transmission setups, the Honda’s inline-4 unit produces higher power and delivers better performance. Its quicker and faster in each acceleration test and also upholds higher efficiency than the Subaru.

The 2021 Civic also features a more sought-after cabin and has a higher number of specifications available to the buyers as standard. While the exterior design is subjective, the safety aspect is a level playing field. Amongst the two, then, we recommend opting for the Honda Civic as it delivers more value for the money spent.

2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a niche compact sedan, that is inch-perfect in almost all of its aspects. It is quick to accelerate, sports a potent powertrain, and has aplomb braking capabilities. When stacked up against the 2021 Subaru Impreza, it gains ascendancy in the segment by being efficient and managing a higher range.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla also looks at par with the best-looking sedans in the segment. Its subtleness speaks volumes of its build and even on the inside, it’s more refined and sophisticated. With the latest iteration, it adds a number of safety features with the most important inclusion being rear-seat airbags, making it the better of the two.

2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Amongst the two, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a clear choice and it is for a number of reasons. To begin with, the Elantra has been revamped and it now looks sportier, plusher, and can compete with vehicles above its class. Its potent engine delivers class-leading performance without causing a bearing on its efficiency and manages to perform decently even when decelerating.

It sports an upmarket and contemporary vibe, an aspect you’d find in the 2021 Subaru Impreza, but not to the Elantra’s extent. Its commodious cabin and a longer wheelbase, make it an apt fit for being a family hauler.

Is the 2021 Subaru Impreza a good car? Well, in isolation it is, but stack it against its competitors and the sedan loses essential ground and lurks at the bottom of the table. Its boxer-4 engine is slower than all of its rivals and with both transmission options, it lacks frugality. The cabin design, though ergonomic, lacks the luxuriant feel its competitors possess and even cargo capacity, an aspect essential for family vehicles, is also its weakest link. However, the design language is comprehensible and noteworthy. The infotainment system is intuitive and by harboring a slew of standard safety features, the Subaru Impreza does breathe a sigh of relief.