The 2018 Subaru Impreza is available in two body styles, hatchback, and sedan. This review covers the 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan. The car remains unchanged for the year 2018, after undergoing a complete refresh last year. The Impreza sedan, in its fifth generation, is a very refined and smooth car, with excellent handling and tight braking. The Impreza also offers a very quiet and comfortable ride on the inside.
The Impreza is a unique car, as it's the only compact sedan in this price range that offers all-wheel-drive as standard. The 2018 Subaru Impreza comes with a 2.0L Flat-4 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Pricing for the Subaru is very competitive, at $18,495 for the base trim, and there are a total of four trims on offer. The Impreza is one of the best daily drivers in this segment.
2018 Subaru Impreza Latest Updates
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The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan carries over for 2018 without any changes. The Impreza is powered by a 2.0L Flat-4 engine that outputs 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque across all trim levels. An AWD configuration and a five-speed manual gearbox come as standard on the Impreza, with an optional CVT transmission as well. The Impreza is an excellent handler and offers a very comfortable and composed ride quality. The Impreza also has loads of advanced safety features on offer across most trim levels. Speaking of trim levels, the Impreza comes in 4 trims and has limited optional packages as well.
2018 Subaru Impreza
However, the Impreza has a few drawbacks. The car equipped with the manual transmission has an under-par fuel economy to start with, and there are not a lot of standard features even on the base car. The Impreza's interiors are rather dull and have a low feel to them. To top it all, the engine feels underpowered and lacks acceleration. The Impreza is priced at $18,495 and goes up against the 2018 Honda Civic sedan, the 2018 Mazda 3 sedan, and the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan. All these rivals offer better interiors, a more engaging driving experience, and are similarly priced as well.
Features
6.5/10
The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan is offered in four trim levels: 2.0i, 2.0i Premium, 2.0i Sport, and 2.0i Limited. Pricing for these trims starts at $18,495 and climbs up to $24,195 for the top trim. All Impreza trims get AWD as standard. The 2.0i Impreza does not get many features and comes with the most basic necessities and a touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The trims with their highlighted features are listed below.
Trims
2.0i
2.0i Premium
2.0i Sport
2.0i Limited
MSRP (AWD)
$18,495
$21,295
$22,095
$24,195
Key Features
Remote locking and unlocking
Adds/Replaces features on the 2.0i trim
Adds/Replaces features on the 2.0i Premium trim
Adds/Replaces features on the 2.0i Sport trim
Cloth upholstery
16-inch alloy wheels
18-inch alloy wheels
17-inch alloy wheels
Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
Automatic headlamps
Unique suspension tuning
LED adaptive headlights.
Height-adjustable driver seat
Sound reducing windshield
Keyless entry and ignition
Leather upholstery
Cruise Control
Heated mirrors
Rear spoiler
Automatic climate control system
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Heated front seats
Daytime running lights
Six-way power driver's seat
There are a few optional packages as well. The Premium and Sport trim get a power sunroof as a stand-alone option, and there are is a Safety package as well that adds a few driver assistance features and is available on all trims except the base model.
We Recommend
The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan 2.0i Premium trim is the best buy. It has a decent array of features over the base trim and has more practical and reasonable features as well. The optional safety package is a must with the Premium, as it adds advanced driver assistance systems. A power sunroof is also recommended.
Engine and Performance
6.2/10
"Good handling and a comfortable ride are 2018 Subaru Impreza assests, but more power would be nice." -TheCarConnection
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan Engine and Transmission
The 2018 Subaru Impreza is powered by a 2.0L Flat-4 engine that outputs 152 p @ 6000 rpm and has a torque output of 145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. This Naturally Aspirated engine lacks the punch and is underpowered. The base trim and the Premium trim get a 6-speed manual as standard, and a CVT is standard on the Sport and Limited trims and optional on the other two.
2018 Subaru Impreza engine
The new stiffer platform that the Impreza is based on has resulted in an improvement in aerodynamics, but there has been no improvement in the engine's performance. The manual gearbox is not very impressive and has unusual shift times with unhealthy shifting. The CVT is much much better. It's very responsive and makes the most of the 2.0L engine. Shifts are smooth, and the CVT provides great acceleration.
Models
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
MSRP
$18,495
$18,095
$17,850
$18,840
Engine
2.0L Flat-4
2.0L I-4
Turbo 1.4L I-4
2.0L I-4
Transmission
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed manual
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
FWD
FWD
Power
152 hp @ 6000 rpm
155 hp @ 6000 rpm
153 hp @ 5600 rpm
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
145 lbs.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
150 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm
177 lbs-ft. @ 2000 rpm
138 lbs-ft. @ 4200 rpm
The four cars are priced similarly to each other and all get a manual transmission as standard. The Cruze uses a turbo as standard. All cars get an FWD except the Impreza which uses an AWD configuration. The Civic outputs the most power, whereas the Cruze has the most torquey engine. The Cruze also benefits with its strong low range thanks to peak torque kicking in lower in the rpm range.
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan Acceleration
The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan sprints from 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds with the AWD and the 5-speed manual transmission. The Quarter-mile time comes up in above 7 seconds at 17.1 seconds. The Impreza's top speed is rated at 120 mph. With the CVT, the Impreza is slightly quicker in the 0-60 mph run at 9.0 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 0.2 seconds quicker at 16.9 seconds.
Models
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
0-60 mph (sec)
9.2
7.5
8.1
7.6
Quarter-mile (sec)
17.1
16
16.2
15.9
Engine
2.0L
2.0L
1.4L
2.0L
Top Speed (mph)
120
132
125
130
The Impreza is a slow car, with its lousy engine. The Mazda 3 is the quickest car, covering the 0-60 mph run in 7.5 seconds. The Civic is just behind at 7.6 seconds. The Cruze takes 8.1 seconds. In the quarter-mile run, the Civic is the quickest, followed by the Mazda 3. The Cruze sedan takes 16.2 seconds, and the Impreza is the slowest. The Mazda has the most top speed as well.
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan Ride and Handling
The 2018 Subaru Impreza is a great handler. The chassis offers excellent control even in sharp corners, with minimum body roll and tons of stability on offer. The Impreza inspires confidence all the way. The standard AWD has been a vital part of this excellent performance. Suspension duties are taken care of by a fully independent suspension setup that is even better on the Sport trim.
2018 Subaru Impreza handling
The steering on the Impreza is quick, light to turn, and supremely responsive. The Sport and Limited trims offer steering feedback which is even more than what the lower trims offer. Around turns, the electric power steering with its balanced weighs helps to attack sharp turns comfortably taking more speed.
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan Braking
The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan uses a combination of a 10.9-inch front brake and a 10.8-inch rear brake setup. The front brakes are ventilated, whereas the rear setup is a solid disc. The Impreza stops from 60-0 mph in a distance of 119 feet. The stopping distance for 70-0 mph stands at 170 feet.
The brake pedal on the Impreza has a good response. The pedal pressure is easy to modulate and delivers with some braking force even on the lightest tap. When required, the car will stop fast.
Model
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
Front brake pads (in)
10.9
11.0
N/A
11.1
Rear brake pads (in)
10.8
10.4
N/A
10.2
Curb weight (lbs)
2974
2899
2932
2742
60-0 mph (ft.)
119
122
113
106
The Civic has the best stopping distance taking only 106 feet to stop from 60-0 mph. The Cruze takes 113 feet to stop, and the Mazda 3 takes the most distance at 122 feet to stop. The Civic uses the largest front brake at 11.1 inches. The rear brake on the Subaru is the largest, at 10.8-inches. The Civic benefits from its powerful brakes and low weight.
Fuel Economy
7.7/10
The 2018 Subaru Impreza with the 5-speed manual returns 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. The 2018 Subaru Impreza with the CVT returns 27 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. The manual is not very fuel-efficient, and the CVT is recommended. The fuel capacity on the Impreza is 13.2 gallons and has a range of 316.8 city miles and 422.4 highway miles with the 5-speed manual.
Model
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
Mpg (city)
24
28
28
28
Mpg (highway)
32
38
39
40
Mpg (combined)
27
31
32
32
Fuel capacity (gallons)
13.2
12.4
13.7
12.4
Range (city/highway) (miles)
316.8/422.4
347.2/471.2
383.6/534.3
347.2/496
The Cruze and the Civic return the most fuel efficiency at 32 mpg combined. The Mazda 3 returns 31 mpg, and the Impreza returns 27 mpg combined, the least. Apart from the Impreza, all three cars return 28 mpg in the city. The Civic has the most highway mileage at 40 mpg. In terms of range, the most range is on the Cruze at 383 city miles and 534.3 highway miles. The least range is on the Impreza at 316.8 city miles, 422.4 highway miles.
Interior
7.9/10
"Step up to the Sport and Limited and you’ll be rewarded with stitched surfaces that dress things up considerably. The Sport’s carbon fiber-like interior trim is a nice touch, too." -TheCarConnection
2018 Subaru Impreza Seating and Comfort
The 2018 Subaru Impreza's interior has improved substantially, but it's still a far cry from the competition offers. The lower trim levels don't get an impressive interior, with cheaper material and a few panel gaps. The soft-touch surfaces do improve things slightly. On the higher trims, the stitched surfaces, with good usage of leather improves the feel overall. The Sport trim's carbon-fiber interior is appealing. The fit and finish levels on the Impreza can also see some improvements. Controls and knobs are easy to use and their practical placement is worth applauding. The interior leans more towards functionality than aesthetics and beauty. The interiors have a dark-light contrast theme.
2018 Subaru Impreza engine
In terms of seating, the 5 seater Impreza is a comfortable car to be in. The cabin is spacious, with good attention to space management. The front seats have excellent comfort, offer great support, and have decent bolstering as well. The rear is not as impressive as the front, but it has decent comfort and support on offer despite the flat seats. The large windows, with a huge front and rear windshield, and thin pillars make way for excellent visibility in the Impreza. Ingress and Egress is a second's job, thanks to the high seating and a taller roofline.
Model
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Passenger Volume(cu-ft)
112.1
96.3
93.5
97.8
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
43.1/56.7/43.1
38.6/57.2/42.2
38.9/54.9/42.0
39.3/57/42.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
37.2/55.6/36.5
37.6/54.4/35.8
37.3/53.2/36.1
37.1/55/37.4
The Impreza has the most passenger volume on the inside at 112.1 cu-ft. The Cruze has the least at 93.5 cu-ft. The Impreza offers the most headroom and legroom in the front, whereas the other three cars have similar lengths on offer. In the rear, the Mazda 3 has the most headroom, whereas the Civic boasts of the most legroom at 37.4 inches, which is class-leading. The Civic benefits from its longer wheelbase and excellent space management. Some interior features on the Impreza are:
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
Cloth/Leather upholstery
60/40 split-folding rear seats
Heated front seats
Keyless entry and ignition
Cruise control
2018 Subaru Impreza Infotainment System
The 2018 Subaru Impreza uses a redesigned touchscreen that is simple to use and navigate through. The menu layout is easy to comprehend, and the touchscreen is quite responsive to touch inputs without any lag. A 6.5-inch screen is standard, whereas an 8-inch screen is available on higher trims. As standard, all Impreza's come with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB port, and a 4-speaker audio system.
2018 Subaru Impreza dash and infotainment
Some other infotainment features are:
Subaru StarLink services
Six-speaker audio system
Additional USB port
CD player
Satellite radio
Eight-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system
2018 Subaru Impreza Trunk Capacity
The 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan comes with a standard cargo capacity of 12.4 cu-ft, and access to the trunk is easier than before thanks to the wide opening.
Model
Subaru Impreza
Mazda 3
Chevrolet Cruze
Honda Civic
Trunk volume (ft.cube)
12.4
12.4
14.8
15.1
The Mazda 3 and the Impreza get the same cargo capacity at 12.4 cu-ft, which is the least among these four cars. The Civic boasts of the most standard cargo capacity at 15.1 cu-ft, and the Cruze gets a cargo capacity of 14.8 cu-ft.
Exterior
6.2/10
"The 2018 Subaru's conservative exterior styling isn't a stand-out, but it should age well." -TheCarConnection
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan Dimension and Weight
Last year's redesign has helped the Impreza with better aerodynamics and a more modern design. There is a slight resemblance to the earlier design, but it's more attractive and sporty-looking. The front of the Impreza gets big swept-back headlamps and a low grille with some chrome detailing. The long roof and coupe-like design on the sedan give the car a different sense of style when viewed from the side. The roof integrates into the rear wall. Thick five-spoke rims suit the car's sharp lines and creases. At the rear, the tall trunk with a trunk mounted spoiler and squared-off LED taillights gives the car a decent look.
2018 Subaru Impreza front
Dimensionally, the 2018 Subaru Impreza sedan weights light, at 2974 lbs. It has a length of 182.1 inches. The car's width and height stand at 70 inches and 57.3 inches respectively. The wheelbase on the Impreza is not very tight, at 105.1 inches. The car sits 5 inches off the ground.
Model
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan
2018 Mazda 3 sedan
2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan
2018 Honda Civic sedan
Curb weight(lbs)
2974
2899
2932
2742
Length(in)
182.1
180.3
183.7
182.3
Width(in)
70
70.7
70.5
70.8
Height(in)
57.3
57.3
57.4
55.7
Ground clearance(in)
5.1
6.1
6.4
5.9
Wheelbase (in)
105.1
106.3
106.3
106.3
Track width(in) F/R
60.6/60.8
61.2/61.4
60.7/61.3
60.9/61.5
The Honda Civic is the lightest car of the lot, and the Mazda 3 weighs nearly 2900 lbs; making it the heaviest car. The Cruze has the most length and the Mazda 3 is the most compact car among these four. The width of the Civic stands at 70.8 inches. It is also the tallest car. The Mazda 3, the Cruze, and the Civic all get a wheelbase of 106.3 inches.
2018 Subaru Impreza rear
Some exterior features on the Impreza are:
Sunroof
Windshield wiper de-icer
Alloy wheels
Heated mirrors
Spoiler
Roof rails
Safety
9.1/10
The 2018 Subaru Impreza gets top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS. The NHTSA gave the Impreza a rating f 5-stars, whereas the IIHS awarded the Impreza with the "Top Safety Pick+" award. Most tests gave the Impreza a rating of 'Good' but the halogen headlamps tests rated the Impreza with low ratings of 'Marginal' and 'Acceptable'. Standard safety features on the 2018Subaru Impreza include traction control, antilock disc brakes, stability control, seven airbags, and a rearview camera. The Subaru EyeSight suite adds a few driver aids as well and is available across all trims except the base. Other safety features include:
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
Blindspot monitors
Active lane control
Rear cross-traffic alert
Competition
6.0/10
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan vs 2018 Honda Civic sedan
The 2018 Honda Civic is a much better car against the Impreza. It has a more potent engine, with better acceleration, and also has better driving dynamics than the Impreza. The Civic is more fuel-efficient and has more range than the Impreza as well. The Civic also comes in a coupe body style that is not available on the Impreza. In terms of looks, the Civic is the direct winner here with its sharp and sporty exterior.
2018 Honda Civic
The interior of the Civic is well-finished, with better materials used throughout the cabin. The Impreza's front is spacious, whereas the Civic's rear is spacious. It also has more cargo capacity than the Impreza. The Subaru's infotainment system is simple to use unlike the one on the Civic. Both the cars have top safety ratings and come with advanced safety features as well. The pricing is similar, and Impreza's AWD does not give it enough points against the Civic.
2018 Subaru Impreza sedan vs 2018 Mazda 3 sedan
The 2018 Mazda 3 sedan is the more engaging car to drive. It has a powerful engine, with an efficient transmission that delivers excellent performance. The Mazda 3 is a quick car and brakes pretty well as well. In terms of fuel efficiency, Mazda's fuel economy is more than what the Impreza offers, but it's not the best also. The Mazda has a longer range as well. Driving dynamics are a major part of Mazda's flair. The Mazda 3 offers an engaging driving experience, with superb chassis control and top handling.
2018 Mazda 3
The interiors on the Mazda 3 are better than those on the Impreza. The Mazda also uses better quality materials and has more standard features on offer. In terms of safety, Mazda's safety ratings are as good as Impreza's. Both the cars are similarly priced. If Impreza's AWD configuration is not that big of a necessity, then we recommend the Mazda 3.
Final Verdict
The 2018 Subaru Impreza is a unique car. It does not offer impressive performance, the fuel economy is average for the class and the interior definitely could use some upgrades in ters of standard features and the materials used. However, at this price bracket, the Mazda 3's driving and handling characteristics and ts potent brakes make it a very fun car to drive. The top safety ratings and the collection of advanced safety features do make the Impreza worth a look for all looking to buy a compact car.
