2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback

The 2023 Subaru Impreza hatchback is available in four trims namely Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. The base model also gets lots of basic creature comforts like Air conditioning, an adjustable steering wheel, remote keyless entry, cruise control, cloth upholstery, and a height-adjustable driver seat. The Premium model builds on the base model and gets a CVT instead of a manual transmission along with the EyeSight driver assist package as standard. The premium model gets upgraded suspension for better stability and ride. The trim also gets optional advanced safety features like a Blindspot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic warning. There is also an option of a sunroof. The Sport trim builds on the Premium trim along with a few updates like 18-inch alloys with wider wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and brake-induced torque vectoring system with rear spoilers. The top-of-the-line Limited trim has some unique features like 17-inch alloy wheels, Automatic climate control with remote activation facility, leather upholstery, and other features. This is the only trim that gets the option of a navigation system, along with the optional sunroof and the Harman Kardon sound system.

Packages:-

Convenience package @ $ 1,970 for Premium trim only

• Power tilt/sliding moonroof
• Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Keyless Access with Push-Button Start
• Power driver's seat

Technology package @ $ 2,350 for Limited trim only

• Power tilt and sliding moonroof
• Subaru Starlink 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation
• Harman Kardon speaker system

Eyesight package

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision mitigation
• Lane departure mitigation

We recommend

We recommend the 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback Sport because it has got a good feature list and costs marginally more than the Premium trim, which makes it a great value for money. It also gets manual transmission and torque vectoring which enhances the driving experience and handling of the car. This trim also offers 18-inch alloy wheels. 

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is powered by a 2 Liter flat-four boxer engine that produces 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The car comes equipped with a standard manual transmission along with the option of a continuously variable transmission. The transmission offers changes from trim to trim. The Base model is equipped with a manual transmission as standard. The power is distributed to the wheels through the legendary Symmetrical All Wheel Drive which has been in action since 1972. This makes the vehicle capable of going to off-beat places where the road condition is challenging due to either snow or slush. The vehicle is able to reach from 0 to 60 MPH mark in 8.9 seconds and the quarter-mile mark in 16.9 seconds. The vehicle has a top speed of 120 miles per hour. When the throttle is slammed into the ground, the engine is sluggish to rev and the CVT transmission is slow to get up and go. The driving experience is already bad, and the manual gearbox is rubbery and notchy. 

The 2023 Mazda 3 Hatchback has the best in class performance due to the bigger 2.5-liter engine, the Mazda 3 reaches the 60 MPH in just 7.9 seconds while reaching the quarter-mile in 16 seconds. The Honda Civic hatchback is the worst-performing among the four as it takes 9.4 seconds to reach the 60 MPH mark while taking 17.3 seconds to reach the quarter-mile mark. The Toyota Corolla hatchback is faster than the Subaru as it takes 8.5 seconds to reach from 0 to 60 MPH. Apart from the Subaru Impreza, all other cars get a front-wheel-drive powertrain. The acceleration figure of the Subaru is not great. The Mazda 3 has the highest top speed of 134 MPH against its adversaries. 

2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback Ride and Handling

Subaru has always been known for its handling and the 2023 Subaru Impreza hatchback is no different. The Subaru is equipped with a symmetrical all-wheel drive system along with the Electric power-assisted quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering, the vehicle dynamics control system, and the traction control system which provides the Subaru with immense grip on all kinds of surfaces thereby providing the Subaru Impreza with very nimble and eager handling. The ride quality of the Subaru is also pretty decent all thanks to the strut-type suspension system with lower L arm and stabilizer bars in the front and double wishbone suspension system with lateral link pillow-ball joint bushing and stabilizer bars in the rear. This setup ensures that there is minimal body roll while cornering at high speed. The Subaru is very comfortable at low speeds as well, thus making the Impreza a perfect example of balance between ride and handling. 

2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback Braking performance

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is equipped with 10.9-inch ventilated discs at the front and 10.8-inch solid discs at the rear which is equipped with 4 channel antilock braking system and electronic brake distribution. The Subaru Impreza hatchback is further equipped with a brake assist system that reads the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by the driver under sudden braking situations and then uses the 4-channel ABS technology to distribute the brake force as per the requirements. This translates to a very short stopping distance during the panic braking scenario thereby giving the driver a lot of confidence while driving. In addition, various braking systems, including automatic emergency braking, hill hold control, brake assist, 4-wheel ABS, and many more, are standard across all trims. The brakes thus offer excellent bite and outstanding development, and excellent in terms of feedback and feel.

In comparison the Toyota Corolla hatchback has the biggest front discs measuring 11.5 inches, while the Impreza has the biggest rear discs measuring 10.8 inches. The Corolla has smaller rear discs as compared to the Subaru measuring 10.5 inches. The Honda Civic hatchback has bigger front discs measuring 11.1 inches as compared to the 11-inch discs of the Mazda, while the Mazda 3 Hatchback has bigger rear discs measuring 10.4 inches as compared to the 10.2-inch discs of the Honda. The Impreza comes loaded with a tonne of safety features and equipment which makes it one of the best performers in the class in terms of brake performance. 

The Subaru Impreza is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-four 2-liter engine, it is expected that the car will return decent fuel economy. The Subaru only manages to return an appalling mileage of 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway along with a mileage of 26 MPG under combined driving conditions. The 2023 Subaru Impreza is equipped with a 13.2-gallon fuel tank which provides it with a range of 316.8 miles in the city, and 409.2 miles on the highway. However, if you choose the manual gearbox, your fuel economy will be the lowest of the bunch, coming in at a dismal 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the interstate.

In comparison the 2023 Toyota Corolla hatchback is a brilliant performer with best in class figures of 32 MPG in the city and an astonishing 41 MPG on the highway. The Toyota has the best-in-class range of 422 miles in the city and 541 miles on the highway as well. The Mazda hatchback and the Honda Civic hatchback both generate identical mileage of 26 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, however when we consider the combined driving conditions the Mazda 3 offers better fuel economy. The Civic hatchback has the smallest gas tank among the competitors measuring 12.4 gallons whereas all other competitors have 13.2-gallon tanks. The Subaru is the least fuel-efficient, while the Toyota is the most fuel-efficient machine.

The Interior of the 2023 Subaru Impreza may not be luxurious but it is definitely functional and very well-designed. Every gauge on the instrument cluster is easy to read, the infotainment system is easy to operate, however, the quality of the speaker on the base model is not very good. The top model only gets a climate control system while the rest of the models gets manual air conditioning which works really well. The legroom in the front row of the Subaru Impreza is the best in class and can accommodate tall people very easily. Despite being functional the fit and finish of the cabin is very good. The driver height is adjustable which allows for a commanding driving position. The 2023 Subaru Impreza gets a decent size trunk with a 20.1 cu-ft capacity to carry luggage. Overall, the Subaru Impreza is unquestionably a great option if you want a high-quality cabin, despite the interior's lackluster design language. Soft-touch materials and high-quality leather are used extensively throughout the cabin, giving it a luxurious appearance and feel.

The Subaru Impreza hatchback offers best-in-class legroom in the front row measuring 43.1 inches while the Toyota Corolla hatchback offers comparatively least space measuring 42 inches. The Impreza offers best-in-class headroom as well, however, when the matter of rear seat legroom comes the Honda Civic leads the way with 37.4 inches of space. The Toyota Corolla offers the least amount of cargo carrying space measuring 17.8 cu-ft while the Honda Civic hatchback offers the most amount of cargo carrying space of 24.5 cu-ft. The Impreza offers more trunk space as compared to the Mazda 3 hatchback which offers 20.1 cu-ft of trunk space. 

Some of the Key features of the interior are

• Height Adjustable driver seat
• Adjustable steering wheel
• Automatic climate control in the Limited trim
• Leather upholstery in the Limited trim
• Optional sunroof
• 3-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls

How Intuitive is the 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback infotainment system?

The base version of the 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback comes equipped with a 6.5-inch StarLink infotainment system as standard equipment. The visibility is excellent in direct sunshine and the resolution is good. It comes pre-equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, there is a SiriusXM satellite radio as well as CD, AUX, FM, and AM capability. The 8.0-inch system is available on trims Sport and higher. The base version of the Impreza gets a basic 4 speaker sound system. The Premium and higher trims get an upgraded 6-speaker sound system which sounds pretty decent. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is optionally available at extra cost. None of the models get navigation as standard, which is rather disappointing considering the competitors are offering way better features at this price point.

Some of the key features of the infotainment system are

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 6.3-inch color multifunction display available only in sport and limited trim
• Optional Navigation system in the Limited trim
• 4 speaker sound system in base model
• 6 speaker sound system in rest trim options
• 6.5-inch touch screen infotainment system in base and premium trim
• 8-inch touch screen infotainment system in sport and limited trim
• Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free phone and text messaging connectivity

The exterior of the 2023 Subaru Impreza looks exactly like it looked the previous year, the vehicle is long overdue for a major design overhaul. The Subaru Impreza hatchback is a very proportionate-looking hatchback with sleek aggressive headlamps and a sharp cut crease on the side along with a very subtle rear with integrated LED tail lights. The Impreza gets the option of a 16-inch steel wheel for the base and a 16-inch alloy wheel for the premium trim. The Sport trim gets 18-inch alloy wheels with wider tires and the Limited trim gets 17-inch alloy wheels. The top-of-the-line Limited trim gets the cornering headlamps in which the steering response determines the angle of projection of the headlamps. This is a particularly useful feature if one is driving in hilly areas. The chrome highlights, gloss black components, and aluminum pedals all provide a stunning appearance.Additionally, the integrated spoiler and LED taillight are still present on the back end, which blends beautifully with the overall design.

In comparison, the Honda Civic is the longest vehicle measuring 179 inches, whereas the Toyota Corolla hatchback is the shortest measuring only 172 inches which explain the limited interior space of the Corolla. In terms of width, all the vehicles are of similar dimensions, however, the Civic gets the maximum width of 70.9 inches, while the Impreza gets the least measuring 70 inches. The Civic has the longest wheelbase measuring 107.7 inches, closely followed by the Mazda 3 which has a wheelbase of 107.3 inches, while the Toyota Corolla has the smallest wheelbase of the lot measuring 103.9 inches. The Honda Civic has the largest ground clearance of 6.7 inches while the Toyota and the Subaru has the least ground clearance of 5.1 inches.

Some of the key exterior features are

• Automatic high-beam headlights with cornering LED lights in Limited trim
• Rear spoiler in Sport trim
• Roof rails
• LED Tail Lights
• Optional sunroof
• 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch alloy wheels on offer
• Fog Lights
• Adjustable mirrors

The 2023 Subaru Impreza scores big on safety with a five-star rating from NHTSA and overall rating of good and Top Safety Pick award for 2022 which speaks volumes about the robustness and the build quality of the vehicle. The Impreza has always been a built-to-last vehicle that is built with quality materials. The Impreza is loaded with safety features, much of which come standard and some are optional trim-wise. The Subaru comes loaded with lots of active and passive safety features. The Impreza is also equipped with lots of standard driver assistance systems along with a long list of options that can be availed either through package or trim selection. The Eyesight package is available from the base trim which includes features like Pre-collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure, and Sway Warning with Lane Keep Assist. 

There are many more features which are listed below

• High Beam Assist
• Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning with Lane Keep Assist
• Pre-collision Braking System
• Pre-Collision Throttle Management
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Brake assist
• Brake Override System
• Traction Control System

2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback vs 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a way better performer as compared to the Subaru, especially on the 0 to 60 MPH and the quarter-mile run, but the Subaru handles better especially on winding roads and icy conditions. The Subaru is more equipped to go to remote locations but the Toyota is way more fuel efficient, in fact, the best in class. The Subaru has got better space, especially in the rear seat and the trunk space. The choice is tough, but considering that these vehicles are daily drivers the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is preferable due to its superior performance and fuel efficiency. 

2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback vs 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback lacks behind the 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback in terms of performance, especially during 0 to 60 MPH and quarter-mile runs, but the Honda is more fuel efficient and has better cargo space as compared to the Subaru. The Honda Civic hatchback offers way more luxurious interiors with better fit and finish and lots of comfort creatures as compared to the Subaru. The Civic is available in different engine options that provide a better performance-oriented machine as compared to the Subaru. Surely the Subaru will go the extra mile when the condition is adverse, but the rest of the time the Honda is the preferred choice here. 

2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback vs 2023 Mazda 3 Hatchback

The 2023 Mazda 3 hatchback is equipped with a bigger engine that generates more power as a result the Mazda is much quicker than the Impreza on the 0 to 60 MPH and the quarter-mile run. The thing that surprises us is that despite having a bigger engine the Mazda is more fuel efficient as compared to the Subaru and offers a better range because of that as both cars are equipped with identical size gas tanks. The Subaru offers a marginally bigger size trunk space however the Mazda offers better ground clearance. The Mazda is also available with an AWD system which makes us more inclined towards the Mazda given its superior performance in all the segments. 

The Subaru Impreza has been in the market for a long time and this machine has a cult-dedicated following who acknowledge its faults but still want to possess it. The car can definitely improve in the engine section but at the same time, it is a tried and tested workhorse that lasts for a long time without having much of problems. The Subaru offers decent space inside the cabin and a big enough boot space to carry sufficient luggage during long road trips, however in terms of fuel efficiency the vehicle's performance is quite poor. So anyone who has to visit places where the roads are challenging should always give it consideration as the AWD is known for its legendary capabilities. Another reason to buy this car would be the safety factor. The car is loaded with lots of active and passive safety features which certainly creates a different kind of perspective regarding the car.