2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S review (video)

Now in its sixth generation, the 2024 Subaru Impreza enters the market as a tech-savvy small car with heavy emphasis on safety.

Nowadays, the Impreza is only available in hatch configuration with an automatic transmission as buyer preferences change and the market segment shrinks. Though, the Impreza still holds unique to competition with its famous symmetrical all-wheel drive and use of a horizontally-opposed ’boxer’ engine. But are these unique traits enough to translate to sales?

VFACTS figures show only 372 units (or 8.6 per cent market share) have been sold so far this year (through March). That’s down 43.2 per cent compared with the same three-month period last year. We’re jumping into the 2024 2.0S variant to see if it still has what it takes to survive in this tough category.

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder
Output: 115kW@6000rpm / 196Nm@4000rpm
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 225/40
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 1458kg
Power-to-weight: 12.67:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.5L/100km
Our consumption: 7.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/91 RON

Power efficiency: 15.33kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 5.73 seconds*
0-100km/h: 11.66 seconds*
60-110km/h: 8.25 seconds*
1/4 mile: 18.59 seconds at 128.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.623g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.41m in 3.06 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.393g*
Decibel at idle: 43*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 83*
Starting price: $37,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: How much does it cost?

For the sixth-gen Impreza, there are three variants to choose from. The 2.0L which retails from $31,490, the 2.0R from $34,990, and the top-spec 2.0S we are reviewing here, from $37,990 (all excluding on-road costs).

All models bear the same powerplant with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a CVT auto. No hybrid or fully electric options are available, and all variants produce 115kW/196Nm. There is no manual transmission.

Comparing prices of the range-topping 2.0S with range-toppers of the competition, the 2.0S is well situated. Only the top-spec Hyundai i30 hatch and Kia Cerato are fractionally cheaper, at $37,300 and $36,860, respectively. And they do not offer all-wheel drive.

The top of the range Skoda Scala retails from $42,490, Toyota Corolla hatch from $39,100, and Mazda3 from $42,470, all in top-spec form.

Subaru offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and one year of free roadside assistance on its vehicles. Servicing is required every 15,000km or 12 months, and these are capped at $346.25, $473.47, $420.60, $771.74, and $361.13 for the first five services if completed at a Subaru dealer.

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Interior & packaging

Even though we’re told the new Impreza is a completely new model, we don’t notice any big changes to the design. The interior doesn’t steer far away from the aesthetics of the previous model as well. Surfaces still go with bulgy lines and chunky contours.

Materials inside still look and feel fairly plasticky and hard. Grey and polished chrome colours make up the decor, with the odd glossy black surround in some areas – our test car already had some scratches on these areas, which is common for ‘piano black’ trimmings.

From a practicality perspective, the Impreza is a pleasant space to be commuting in. It is 15mm longer and 5mm wider than before, but height and wheelbase remain the same. There are plenty of hidey-holes and cup holders, and the centre console is huge for this market segment. But that might be because it cheats out on providing rear air vents.

It is spacious in all seat positions, including the rear seats. Back here, you get commendable leg and under seat foot room. And, both the front and rear rows get both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and a wireless charging pad in the front. The partially-leather seats with contrasting stitching are supportive and comfortable.

A huge 11.6-inch portrait orientation centre touch-screen sticks out like a sore thumb, making it easy to reach when driving. We like the way frequently used buttons have a dedicated place on the screen that never move, even when Android Auto is operating. Temp adjustment is also made easy, as hot/cold settings are physical buttons. We also notice the onscreen layout has been made neater than in earlier versions. Though, the onscreen fonts and patterns still seem chunkier and less sophisticated than others.

Visually, techie vibes end at the touch-screen with an instrument cluster that is made up of an analogue speedo and tacho. Most brands have moved to fully digital instrument clusters, especially in their top-spec variants. But this might appeal to technology laggards, and we like how the small info screen counts how many millilitres of fuel you have saved with the start/stop engine feature.

At the very rear, the boot has shrunk in size; from 345 litres down to 291 litres. Some depth appears to have been lost. This now makes it almost the same size as the Mazda3 hatch (295L), and smaller than the Corolla ZR hatch’s 333 litres. The Kia Cerato hatch and Hyundai i30 hatch boots are both bigger, offering 428L and 395L, respectively.

From the outside, the external design is not a great leap forward from the previous model. Doors, windows and the overall silhouette appear almost untouched. You can see subtle changes at the front, with smaller headlights and fog lights that indent into a contrasting black surround. They no longer integrate with the lower air intake. The biggest change is in the striking appearance of the new claw-shaped taillights. Reflectors also standout more as they indent further into the lower bumper. Overall, the lack of revolution in the external appearance does little to carry the Impreza into the future in our opinion.

One area Subaru has become a highflier in is safety. In fact, the brand strives to achieve zero fatal road accidents in a Subaru by 2030. As a result, the list of safety features is endless. Some standouts are lane keep and centring assist, lane departure prevention, pre-collision braking and throttle management, brake light recognition, driver monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front-side radar, reverse autonomous emergency braking, driver distraction warning, drowsiness warning, and facial recognition.

Some of these features might make you feel over-parented at first. Especially the driving monitor that alerts you when you look down at the touch-screen. But you do get used to it, and it is scarily accurate most of the time.

In the way of other features, all models come standard with adaptive cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, rain-sensing front wipers, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Stepping up to the 2.0R for $3.5k more seems to be the sweet spot in terms of value. You get bigger 18-inch alloy wheels (up from 17s), front wiper de-icer, self-levelling and steering responsive headlights, heated side mirrors, front LED fog lights, a more premium cloth material trim, a leather steering wheel and gear shifter, aluminium sports pedals, heated front seats, and an eight-way powered driver seat with lumbar support.

Then for $3k more, the 2.0S picks up an electric sunroof, partially leather trim, sat-nav, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (upgraded from a six-speaker non-branded system).

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Powertrain & handling

There is currently only one powertrain on offer, and it tells a sombre story. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has no turbo and needs to power all four wheels. This means any sort of plausible grunt is absent. Maximum power of 115kW does not kick in until 6000rpm, and with just 196Nm of torque, it needs to pull its all to proceed up hills, overtake other vehicles, or carry a heavy load.

It feels like those power figures are overstated as getting from 0-100km/h is officially achieved in a slothful 10.0 seconds. Our real-world tests revealed a time of 11.66 seconds, using a Vbox. Subaru’s ‘Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive)’ offers driver selectable ‘Intelligent (I)’ and ‘Sport (S)’ drive modes, but they are not enough to improve performance.

Under light acceleration, the CVT auto gearbox helps the hatch get up to speed quickly without needing to rev up. But as soon as you apply a bit of urgency with your foot, it is a case of more noise than progress. And when that urgency comes, the characteristics of the CVT exaggerates the engine’s breathlessness with a droned-out buzz. Subaru explains that the 80 percent redesigned Lineartronic gearbox now has eight artificial gears that activate when driven hard. But they don’t offer any improvement to performance or even perceived performance in our view.

If lacklustre performance was chosen in the name of economy, we could be more forgiving. Sadly, that is not the case. And all-wheel drives will always burn more fuel. Advertised average fuel economy is 7.5L/100km. Our testing over mixed road styles exposed a similar 7.6L/100km.

Some might say a hybrid could park itself cosily in the lineup. After all, the Crosstrek small SUV sibling is now available with a hybrid powertrain, rating slightly better, at 6.5L/100km. But Subaru has not announced plans to use it in the Impreza. We know the brand has other powertrains in its back pocket as it offers them in other regions. As the story commonly goes for the Aussie market, we only get the one inferior engine. Gratefully, the Impreza can run on cheaper 91 RON fuel.

MacPherson struts are fitted to the front and double wishbones at the rear. Dampers feel soft enough to provide a cushioned and comfortable ride, but not so soft to make it feel insecure around corners or over bumps. It springs over bumps neatly, and holds onto corners confidently – even with a sporty quality. Grip is also strong thanks to that all-wheel drive advantage.

Like with other Subarus, the steering is notably light. It requires minimal strength to turn the wheel. This might win over some nervous drivers as it makes the hatch feel easy to handle. On the other hand, it might turn away others as it makes the steering feel a bit too free for high performance manoeuvres.

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Safety tech: The sheer volume of advanced safety features here really does set the class benchmark in many ways.
• AWD: It is the only mainstream hatchback that offers the grip and security of all-wheel drive.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: As standard. These are now a must for any new car as motorists.
• Solid platform: Although pretty old now, this platform offers excellent dynamics and sporty characteristics when you want them.

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Key considerations before you buy

• Basic and breathless engine: The one and only 2.0L engine offered is in desperate need of more power and torque. Fuel economy could be improved as well, compared with segment standards.
• Looks the same as before: Changes to the new generation are not exactly revolutionary, particularly in appearance.
• Trimmed range: No more sedan or manual options.
• Over-cautious tech: Some safety features will be too intrusive and over-the-top for some.
• No rear air vents: But it does come with USB-A and -B ports in the back.

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: Video