Is This AWD Hatch Too Slow? (Subaru Impreza 2024 Review)

Detailed review and test of the 2024 Subaru Impreza AWD hatch, including price, interior, tech, features, driving and more.
The Subaru Impreza is one of the last reasonably affordable small cars you can buy with AWD in Australia. Today, we’re testing the 2024 2.0S model.
Rivals to the Impreza include the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato and others.
Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
1:41 - Styling
2:37 - Interior
5:41 - Back seats
6:50 - Boot space
7:09 - Running costs
7:45 - Driving the Impreza
13:28 - Verdict
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[@richardbuckingham4329]

Nice review, I've always liked the Impreza. Subaru, please release a version with the 2.5 litre engine, it would improve this car sooo much.

[@dougtube9075]

Subaru actually has a better engine for this car, not the 2.5L but their 1.8T engine: 300NM will make this car a lot better, they just don’t think the Impreza is worth it

[@martintokinaga5261]

Please bring the 2.5 version. I drove the XV 2.0. It handles so well because of the AWD. But so short of power an torque. And it is more expensive to service too.

[@aussielegend8576]

You are so right brother. The big engine. Simple

[@taber1975]

I have the base model, been good so far. Don’t like the cvt though. Feels weird when yours light on the gas 30-50mph

[@LiveLikeaPunk]

Looks like a station wagon from the back. This design is like its from 15 years ago.

[@ElusiveTy]

Personally have never been a fan of these for that reason but some people like wagons and prefer older-looking cars so that might be their kinda thing.

[@steverobinson3900]

Loved the interior of the CrossTrek I drove last year, but man it was gutless.

[@GlowingTube]

Slow, uses too much fuel, noisy, tiny boot, suspect CVT. It has way too many negatives for me to consider it. In comparison and i30 hatch drives so much better.

[@rajTrondhjem10]

It's sufficiently powerful to be a reliable and safe family transport for 90% of the population. I don't honestly know why 90% of the general population acts like they are all car enthusiasts?!?

[@twain1669]

In my opinion it's because those car "journalists" are just reviewers that, once they drove a vehicle with more power, thinks all cars should be fast/quick to be a strong contender on the market. 99% of people would not be able to push this Subaru to its limits for more than 10 seconds on public roads.

[@vMaxHeadroom]

So so right. For most, this is a no nonsense, very safe and with a proper all wheel drive system car. Pricing seems to keep going in the wrong direction but I also hate how cars are just becomeing bigger, heavier and far too technology driven and with this it is almost back to basics which is what it should be for a decent family run about. Converted to GBP where I am from, so around £20K price!!!!! That is not too bad at all especially when you are getting a proper AWD system thrown in. After checking, £20K in the UK is a steal for a car like this as most cars start at around £25K and that is for a bog standard two wheel drive car...

[@boost331]

After buying the American RS spec with the 2.5L engine IDK how anyone can be content with the 2.0..!! Even the 2.5 is just barely adequate.

[@johnedds2327]

With the mass of the 4WD components it requires, IMO about 250nm of torque. It will improve the flexibility , acceleration and will handle the CVT more competently. Why is Subaru so resistant to real change?

[@ElusiveTy]

It's not just a Subaru issue too, unfortunately. Most of the legacies are struggling to keep up with the times.

[@richieduck67]

I will stick with my 2004 Liberty GT

[@tedk-42]

It's back and it's not the XV!

[@googlegamer4047]

Mazda 3s have an all-wheel drive option.

[@chasingcars]

Not in our market they don't.

[@googlegamer4047]

@@chasingcars but can you get a WRX hatchback there?

[@_hold_the_line_]

Boot too small to consider for a family. Give us a small turbo if you want to sell more than 45.

[@ElusiveTy]

Considering the norm for decades was to own a sedan for a family, I'd have to strongly disagree with the boot being too small. People have just become accustomed to owning Yank Tanks.

[@samzhang5682]

For years Subaru has been puting these gutless 4 cylinder aspirated engines and that notorious ctv together for their ‘no so hard core’ cars. I’ve driven the 2017 impreza, 2010 forester, 2010 liberty and 2023 new outback. I’d say all of them are pretty underwhelming. Hardly have any power. The cvt makes the engines rev up so high and making Horrible and annoying noise. And for years the way they drive did not change at all! The chassis in the impreza, on the other hand, was designed to handle more power. But paying 40k for the new Impreza??? I just don’t get it.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

Subaru are losing potential customers with their underpowered engines. The new Crosstrek has dropped its BHP to 136 and they wonder why nobody buys them in the U.K.

[@mr.knight1359]

i would still choose mazda 3 and maybe corolla

[@bluedog2367]

WRX money for a nugget? 30-35 is what it’s worth.

[@BG-ir1ii]

I own a 2022 Impreza S model and found a way to improve performance by using 98 octane fuel plus a throttle control module which I bought from Amazon.

[@ElusiveTy]

Admittedly, it took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to figure out that this wasn't Tom Baker... 🤣 It must be the colours of the clothing and the dirty blond hair.

[@kelvpoon]

It’s crazily under powered…

[@spiro5327]

This model has been incredibly underpowered for years. Heck we don't even get the RS here which probably doesn't go much better. Wake up Subaru fix this issue with some forced induction

[@mrx168]

Considering a 20+ year old Camry with a ancient 4 speed auto has a slight faster 0-100 time, this is pathetic…

[@pamcannings7315]

It's a well designed car ,being spacious , comfortable, has good visibility, adequate performance and lets not forget that much of your driving is going to be in a traffic like most of us .

[@felix_five]

Don’t own one after 8 years. Subaru are great but become expensive to fix over time. And they have lost their boxer rumble 😢

[@WildDanHibiki]

Just put the 2.4l engine in Subaru.

[@pradeepmagan6951]

Wrong engine and gearbox

[@user-rs6zf9ep4j]

Why have Subaru's become soo expensive!!

[@ozaudi]

Same as the 2024 Crosstrek, as currently our loan car, just a tiny pedal and rev rev rev then already at 3000+ rpm, poor engine , no power and poor CVT, no fun to drive and so noisy engine. So well save this what do called new Impreza. Pity... A turbo 1,5T will make a difference such as Honda uses. 1 more thing, we did go to a quiet road and test out the latest Eyesight system. This Level 2 system may work ok but the backbone safety logic that written was absolutely wrong. We tested what happened when we didn't hold the steering wheel (assuming the driver is under medical conditions), you know what? Subaru system only provides warning display and warning sound, after several warnings it just cut out Lane Keep Aasist but it still travelling at the set ACC speed. It was horrified and the car moved to the curb nearly crashed (due to the normal curvature of the roads). This is crazy. We tested VW system too the same not to hold the steering wheel; after a couple visual and tonal warnings, VW T-Roc tightened your seat belt, applied jerking brake tried to wake up the driver then after a couple times of such brake it will turn on hazard lights and slowed down the car but still within the lane till the car is stopped, Once stopped doors unlocked, long warning tone, electronic parking brake on, hazard lights continue flashes. This is called safe and good logical software. For newer VW system it would even change to slow lane too.

[@jasonlewis2990]

Has CVT, do not buy as you'll receive no support from Subaru or your dealer when shit goes wrong

[@shaneandersen1316]

No different to any other manufacturer.

[@ProductofNZ]

Perfect for ya Nan

[@davidthatcher8362]

I have the 2018 Impreza Hatch Sport which I bought new, and is now at 155,000 km. I have greatly enjoyed this car, and I enjoy driving our back country roads. I have never been able to understand why the engine and CVT are described as gutless. I have found my car sufficiently powerful to have fun, and very quickly get up to the legal speed limit, and beyond, and fun to throw around corners. Yes, more horsepower might produce even more fun, but I find the car very satisfying as it is, plus all the other Subaru good features such as the all wheel drive. I think a hard package to beat for any kind of reasonable money.

[@bluewinds10]

This car is very thirsty for the power available

[@joebloggs6131]

I remember the Subaru Impreza of the past, it was a beast, but then they went all noise and environment conscious and started turning out drab urban runners, who hardly need AWD anyway. CVT killed the offroad capability, now the engines are smaller, and lack options. Sad to see such an iconic brand make such poor decisions that put decent build quality with substandard engines and gearboxes, causing the whole package to flop 👎🏼

[@derekdalton5658]

Doesn't stop reving !😂🤢🤮

[@stuartbendall2134]

These cars are slugs ,uncomfortable oil burners

[@Mexxx65]

What an ugly looking car...hatch...Subaru Nice review Zak :)

[@informedcarpet]

Thirsty and slow.

[@andrewd7586]

Underwhelming in all aspects unfortunately.

[@GR8Tmate]

Subaru SLOW AF, as usual 😂

[@kodessa]

All Subaru's are slow and boring (maybe besides the Forester, BRZ, and WRX sportwagon)

[@darrenaquilina1403]

It looks hideous.