2021 Subaru Impreza Review

Name: 2021 Subaru Impreza Review
Brand: Subaru
Price: 19249 USD

Subaru Impreza Sport 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+92

The Impreza is roomy and provides extra wet-weather traction because of its standard all-wheel-drive system. But the engine and transmission are a bit of a letdown.

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Subaru Impreza model years

Subaru Impreza for Sale

Subaru Impreza types

Hatchback
Sedan

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2021 Subaru Impreza Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Standard all-wheel drive
Roomy cabin is quiet and comfortable
Plenty of advanced driver safety features
Available manual transmission for those who want to row their own gears

Cons

Slow and noisy acceleration
Lower-quality interior materials compared to many rivals
Hard to match fuel economy estimates in the real world

What's new

Premium trim level now comes with Subaru's SI-Drive engine management
Part of the fifth Impreza generation introduced for 2017

Overview

The Subaru Impreza offers two body styles: sedan and hatchback. Both come standard with all-wheel drive, which could be appealing if you live in a cold-weather region and need the extra traction. Furthering the niche appeal here is the car's available manual transmission. Few automakers bother to offer one these days, so credit to Subaru for keeping the flame alive for people who enjoy the more tactile feeling of a clutch and manual shifter.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Subaru Impreza 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$164/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

In other aspects, however, the Impreza is pretty average. Rivals such as the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3 have more refined interiors and better powertrain choices. So is the Impreza for you? Read our full Edmunds rating of the Impreza to see how it rates in regard to performance, comfort, utility and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The Impreza is roomy and provides extra wet-weather traction because of its standard all-wheel-drive system. But the engine and transmission are a bit of a letdown.

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Impreza drive? The weak engine is one of the Impreza's biggest failings. Its 0-60 mph time of 9.4 seconds is near the bottom of the class, and the transmission can exacerbate the engine's buzzy and relatively unresponsive nature. Passing on the highway or merging into traffic requires more time and planning than it should.

It's not all bad news. The brakes are firm and easy to control, meaning you can bring the car to a smooth stop with ease. The steering is quick and responsive without feeling unsettled, and it's sportier relative to the steering in most competitors. Body roll is well controlled, and standard all-wheel drive helps the Impreza feel more sure-footed than some other small sedans.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Impreza? With a relatively quiet and smooth ride, the Impreza is a breeze to drive on the highway. It's comfortable and compliant without feeling too soft or floaty. There's no wind noise, but the continuously variable automatic transmission does result in some unpleasant whine. The seats are comfortable and well bolstered even if they are a bit on the firm side for long road trips. The rear seats are flat but comfortable.

The available automatic climate control is easy to operate, but the vents aren't well placed. A couple of the main air vents are right next to the steering wheel, right where you would grip, unfortunately cooling your fingers quicker than the cabin.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Impreza's interior is definitely functional. The controls are clear and easy to use, and the secondary screen on the top of the dash is more useful than it may seem at first.

The Impreza is easy to see out of, especially in hatchback form. There's plenty of room for passengers, though those over 6 feet tall might find the rear seats a little tight. The large door openings make it easy to get in and out. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, offering plenty of adjustment for drivers of any size or shape.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? The touchscreen is laid out much like a smartphone homescreen. It's familiar, easy to see and understand, and responsive to touch inputs. The navigation command structure is simple, and finding points of interest is easy. But the stereo's speaker quality and max volume could be better.

The EyeSight system's adaptive cruise control works well. It maintains a proper distance and doesn't slam on the brakes when you get cut off or follow too far behind. The lane keeping assist system also works well.

Storage

7.0/10

How’s the storage? Between the two available Impreza bodies — sedan and hatchback — we'd recommend the hatch. The sedan has limited trunk space compared to class leaders such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3. Storage for small items is fine, but some competitors do better. There are plenty of cupholders, all capable of fitting a standard water bottle or soda can.

Child seat accommodation is excellent. The latches are easy to access, and you'll find three anchor points behind the rear seat. The roomy interior means there's a good amount of room for bulky rear-facing child seats.

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Impreza sedan with the CVT automatic, its most fuel-efficient configuration, will get 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's right on target for the segment's top competitors. But real-world fuel economy is disappointing; our test Impreza struggled to yield even 28 mpg.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Impreza a good value? In lower trim levels, the Impreza is a good way to get all-wheel drive without a big price premium. But as you move up the trim-level ladder, the rising cost makes the Subaru a less compelling offering. The interior isn't as nice as what you'll find in some other small sedans, and no features help the Impreza stand out in the class.

Wildcard

7.0/10

It's certainly a plus that the Impreza is one of the few cars in the class with all-wheel drive. But the lackluster engine reduces desirability. The Impreza is simply too slow compared to some rivals. It's a good car but lacks the desirability of the class leaders.

Which Impreza does Edmunds recommend?

Check out the Impreza's midlevel Premium trim. Rather than feeling bare-bones like the base trim, it comes with a few creature comforts such as heated front seats and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver safety aids. Tech-savvy buyers will want to consider the Sport or Limited trim level for the upgraded 8-inch infotainment system.

2021 Subaru Impreza models

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. Features on the four trims are broadly similar for both body styles. The four trims available are the base, Premium, Sport and Limited.

Base
The Impreza starts you out with:

Four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower)
Five-speed manual transmission or continuously variable automatic (CVT)
All-wheel drive
16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
Cruise control
Cloth upholstery
Power windows and door locks
6.5-inch touchscreen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability
Four-speaker stereo with a single USB port

Premium
Has some more desirable equipment such as:

Selectable drive modes (Subaru's SI-Drive; adjusts throttle response and powertrain characteristics)
Alloy wheels
Automatic headlights
Roof rails
Upgraded suspension for more stable handling
Heated front seats
An extra USB port
Six-speaker stereo

Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver aids is available on the base Impreza and standard on the Premium and above. It includes:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Subaru and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Impreza back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Sport
Gets you a sportier take on the Impreza with:

18-inch alloy wheels with wider tires
Sporty suspension tuning
Keyless entry and push-button start
Upgraded interior trim
Short-throw shifter (manual transmission models only)
8-inch touchscreen with navigation

Limited
Compared to the Premium, the top-line Limited has:

Standard CVT
LED headlights
Keyless entry and push-button start
8-inch touchscreen with navigation
Automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Automatic climate control
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Premium and Sport trims are also available with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a sunroof. Sport and Limited models have the option of the sunroof plus a Harman Kardon stereo.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#35 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Subaru Impreza from 2008-2022.}

$514/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

16.4%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Subaru Impreza.

5 (58%)

4 (15%)

3 (7%)

2 (11%)

1 (9%)

4.0

26 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 26 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun and high-tech daily driver!

Andrew , 01/06/2020

2020 Subaru Impreza Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

I recently bought a 2020 Impreza Sport hatchback with manual transmission. Compared to my 2017 base model Impreza, this one is MUCH nicer. I notice road and wind noise is significantly quieter, and the sound of the boxer engine is softer as well, so Subaru must have added more insulation to the car to make it quieter. My wife and I also love the heated front seats. My old Impreza took …

Excellent car, could use a bit more power

ed, 06/17/2020

2020 Subaru Impreza 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Have the base model with CVT. Handling and stability is excellent. No torque steer, even in the wet, due to symmetrical AWD, outstanding traction in wet and snowy conditions. Live in Minnesota, so AWD is primary reason for getting the car. Plenty of room inside, (got the 5 door so can fold down rear seats), excellent for highway cruising with adaptive cruise, and is quiet for the class. …

Smooth Ride

Ryan Smo, 03/21/2021

2021 Subaru Impreza Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Smooth, responsive, and good on gas. I got black exterior and black interior. It looks extremely crisp.

4 trips to dealer to fix problems

Alex, 11/11/2020

2020 Subaru Impreza Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Bought premium version in September 2020. It is November 2020 now. So far 5 trips to the dealer to replace remote engine start module, central console unit (I do not know what it is called), and rear callipers. The radio keeps rebooting itself while driving. The front suspension makes noise that mechanics, so far, cannot replicate. And all of this is in less than 2 months if ownership. …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Subaru Impreza, so we've included reviews for other years of the Impreza since its last redesign.

See all 26 reviews of the Subaru Impreza

Write a vehicle review

2021 Impreza Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$19,295
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$161/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	20.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Impreza models:

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Sounds an audible warning when vehicles are approaching from the side, such as when backing out of a parking space.
Subaru EyeSight: Bundles several driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and lane keeping assist.
Reverse Automatic Braking: Applies the brakes automatically if a collision is deemed imminent while reversing.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Poor
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Subaru Impreza Review

2021 Subaru Impreza Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Subaru Impreza 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Impreza does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Subaru Impreza models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun and high-tech daily driver!

Excellent car, could use a bit more power

Smooth Ride

4 trips to dealer to fix problems

2021 Impreza Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Subaru Impreza 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}