2023 Subaru Impreza

A red 2023 Subaru Impreza is angled left.

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is actually two cars. The first is a sporty compact sedan that works great as a family car or for your daily commute. The second is a practical compact hatchback that provides surprisingly large amounts of cargo space for a vehicle of this size. First introduced in 1993, the Impreza is one of Subaru’s longest-running models. The model is currently in its fifth generation, which began with the 2017 model year, and has seen incremental improvements each year since then, including advances in the STARLINK infotainment system and the Subaru EyeSight Driver Assistance Technology.

Subaru has made sure to prove the 2023 Impreza is the most advanced version in its history. It doesn’t matter whether you buy the sedan or hatchback, as both feature Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. This provides all-wheel drive no matter the road condition. As a standard all-wheel drive vehicle, you have the knowledge that the Impreza was designed from the ground up with this kind of drivetrain in mind, so it will actually be effective while traveling. This is unlike many other compact vehicles that have an all-wheel drive option, where this drivetrain has been fitted to a vehicle that was intended for front-wheel drive.

The 2023 Impreza has a starting MSRP of $19,795.[a] This makes it one of the most affordable all-wheel drive models in its vehicle class. The Impreza is also one of the most reliable compact vehicles. In fact, over 94% of Subaru Impreza models sold in the last ten years are still on the road, according to Experian. This means that if you buy an Impreza, it will probably last you a long time.

MSRP: $19,795 [a]
Horsepower (hp): 152
Torque (lb-ft): 145
Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG): 28/36

A white 2023 Subaru Impreza driving past a large river.

Performance

Your Commuter-Friendly Engine

Subaru has equipped each model of the 2023 Impreza with a standard engine. This means that no matter the trim or the body style you choose, you will be getting the same exceptional 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder gas engine. This engine utilizes direct fuel injection and is capable of producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque.

There are two different transmissions available on the 2023 Subaru Impreza. If you choose a Base trim on the sedan or hatchback, or the Sport trim on the hatchback, then your 2.0-liter Boxer-4 will be paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The Impreza Premium and Sport sedan and Premium and Limited trims on the hatchback feature a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). This operates like an automatic transmission but replaces the set gear speeds with a system that constantly adjusts engine speed to better fit driving conditions. The CVT is also available on the Base and Sport trims.

One thing that sets the Lineartronic CVT apart from the competition is a seven-speed manual shift mode with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. This comes on all Impreza models with the CVT except for the Base trim. This allows you the enjoyment of emulating a manual transmission without the hassle of coordinating the clutch and gearshift.

The 2023 Subaru Impreza handles very well with excellent traction. This is the result of the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and quick-ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. This gives the Impreza a steering ratio of 13.0:1 and a turning circle of 35.4 feet for exceptional cornering. While the Impreza isn’t going to win any races, it does have good enough acceleration to get you onto a highway, even in heavy traffic. Depending on which model you choose, you can get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 120 miles per hour.

Commuter-Friendly Fuel Economy

One of the most impressive things about the Impreza is its fuel economy. This is one compact that will give you exceptional gas mileage, making it ideal for commuters and families on a budget. Just keep in mind that choosing an Impreza with the CVT will give you better engine efficiency over the manual transmission. The 2023 Impreza sedan with the CVT will give you 28 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. If you go with an Impreza model with the five-speed manual transmission, the fuel economy will dip to 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.

A close up of the USB port in a 2023 Subaru Impreza.

Entertainment/Convenience

Most affordable compact cars make you pay a premium for comfort, convenience, and entertainment features. These models are affordable because the automakers save on the cost of these systems, providing you with the bare minimum on their models. This is definitely not the case with Subaru.

The Subaru STARLINK Multimedia System

The 2023 Subaru Impreza has an impressive assortment of entertainment and convenience features that come standard on most models. It all starts with the Subaru STARLINK Multimedia system that ties your favorite smartphone apps together with an incomparable sound system on a user-friendly system. The Base and Premium trims feature a 6.5-inch color touchscreen, while the Sport and Limited models increase the size of the STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen to an expansive 8 inches.

STARLINK allows you to connect your smartphone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Wireless Bluetooth allows you to make hands-free calls with your phone. There is also an available voice-activated navigation system powered by Tom Tom, which you can get as an option on the STARLINK Multimedia system on your Integra.

If you are a true audiophile, then you will consider adding a Harman Kardon premium audio system to your 2023 Impreza Sport or Limited model. This provides 432 watts of power from its eight-channel, class-D amplifier to its eight-speaker sound system spread throughout the Impreza’s cabin. The Harman Kardon system features Clari-Fi Technology, providing the crispest and clearest sound you’ve ever heard inside of a car.

Convenience Features You Are Sure to Love

Comfort and convenience are the name of the game in the 2023 Impreza. Each model features five seats designed to maximize comfort. The Base and Premium trims use cloth upholstery, while the Sport features a special cloth upholstery with red contrast stitching, and the Limited has a leather-trimmed interior. The Sport and Limited models also have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle that is cool and soft to the touch.

You and your passengers can keep your devices charged wherever you go. The Subaru Impreza Base model has a standard USB-A input port in the front, while the Premium, Sport, and Limited offer dual input ports in the front. In addition, there are dual rear USB-A charging ports in the Sport and Limited models. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability on all models of the Impreza except the Base will help you and your passengers stay connected as well.

A white 2023 Subaru Impreza driving on a city street with simulated blind spot monitoring sensor lines.

Safety

Dedicated to Keeping You Safe

Getting wherever you are going safely is a goal of most drivers. Subaru knows this, which is why it has made safety standard on the 2023 Impreza. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests most passenger vehicles to determine passenger safety in the event of a collision. For 2023, the NHTSA has given the Impreza the top mark of five stars for safety in all four categories (overall, frontal crash, side crash, and rollover).

The Subaru EyeSight system on the 2023 Impreza encompasses a number of different driver assistance features. Lane Keep Assist will monitor the lane markers on the road you are traveling on. In the event you drift out of your lane, the system will sound an alert and use minor steering adjustments to get you back on track. If the system detects that you are traveling too fast behind the car in front of you, it will alert you of an imminent crash under the Pre-Collision Braking System and automatically use full braking force to help you avoid a crash or mitigate the damages. EyeSight will even let you know if the vehicle in front of you has moved from a stop in case you weren’t paying attention.

Subaru also offers additional active safety features on the 2023 Impreza. Blind Spot Detection will help you change lanes safely. This will let you know if another vehicle is driving in your blind spot when you signal to change lanes. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert works in a similar way, except this is when you are backing out of a parking spot. If another vehicle or pedestrian is about to cross behind your Impreza, the system will let you know so you can bring your Impreza to a safe stop. Reverse Automatic Braking will engage as well when this occurs. These additional systems are standard on the Impreza Limited and available as an option on the Premium and Sport trims.