Should've Been the WRX! // 2024 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Review

[@theamazinggoldfish8713]

I bought an 2021 Impreza hatchback sport in manual transmission. I added an Thornton tunning chip (it works), and accessorized, "heavily" !!! I've installed an illuminated shifter ball knob, LED headlights, underfloor lighting, El wire, pin strips, intake turbo fan, etc, etc, ect.... I love my little grocery getter. 😅👍

[@boblewis8838]

I have 1 2022 I would love to perk up a bit. WHat kind of increase did you get from the Thronton tuning chip, please?

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

Sarah, by far, gives the best car reviews on KZbin. Her encyclopedic knowledge of various cars and how one differs from the other...her knowledge just gives great color to a review. Most other car reviews are superficial compared to hers.

[@96fido96]

Yeah, I don’t think anybody puts any car on a lift and give us a review

[@Wynorrific]

@@96fido96 SavageGeese are really the only other ones that do it and go very in-depth with specs

[@berniemadoff7837]

HIS knowledge. Get it right. Facts matter.

[@Wynorrific]

@@berniemadoff7837 grow up

[@berniemadoff7837]

@Wynorrific I deal in reality. You want to play make believe.

[@garyworokevich2524]

Fun car.......affordable.......but I want a manual.....more fun.

[@Drift_with_Lina]

I would buy this instantly if it had a WRX engine and 6 speed transmission. Looks great and the size is just perfect for everyday + utility .

[@amythistxue1]

I've seen speculation that them dropping the sedan option for this could be a sign of a return of a hatchback WRX which would be nice to see

[@TheColorado4wheeler]

Or Just buy a WRX for 30K. I even got $1500 off. Manual Base. Much better value IMHO.

[@amythistxue1]

@@TheColorado4wheeler yeah but you can't get a WRX in a hatchback, at least currently which for a lot of people is a big turn off

[@skater438unitedstat]

Exactly I have a 2010 Impreza outback sport. Manual why would anyone want an automatic

[@0-do0bido0bido0b-0]

Just bring the Levorg to America

[@wild_lee_coyote]

I do wish they would sell more manuals so that when they have a car like this it would be easy to find one for a manual swap.

[@tonygiraldes7848]

Just the most thorough and thoughtful car reviews on KZbin 😊 much much respect ✊

[@jmlupoludowicy1239]

Don’t forget Savage Geese. Not as sexy though, I gotta admit. 😜

[@ZackaryMac]

Sarah, I think you hit the nail on the head about the manual transmission vs non, and why manufacturers are phasing them out. Some of us just want to shift the darn things!

[@craigcampbell8560]

Manufacturers like Mazda and Subaru did everything they could to make buyers LESS likely to buy a manual transmission then wondered why they didn't sell well. Mazda offered the manual transmission on the Mazda 6 on the lowest trim level for YEARS, and they stopped offering it with the higher performance engines as well, which are the engines they would have had the best chance of selling them with. Stupid decisions like that along with the fact that most drivers are either too lazy or too stupid to drive a manual these days anyway and there's little wonder why they don't sell well. The one exception is the Jeep Wrangler which still is close to 50% of vehicles sold being equipped with a manual transmission. If they only offered them on the base model with an underpowered 4 cylinder, I suspect manual transmissions would sell at a considerably lower percentage with the Wrangler as well.

[@bongodave13]

Indeed. Some of us would like a light, quick, zippy little hot hatch, and they're best enjoyed with a nice 6-speed manual.

[@eskieman3948]

@@raymondmiller2780 Yep. I've heard that buying a car with a manual transmission is now considered to have an anti-theft mechanism because so few millennials and Gen Z'ers can drive a stick! 🤣

[@matthewwain9958]

Most are going auto because of self-driving future cars, and these cars are mass market test beds. (You can't really have a gated manual also with automatic shifting).

[@amythistxue1]

I think the push towards electrification of cars plays a big part as well, as electric motors don't really play well with most standard gear based transmissions

[@Offensively-normal]

To your point regarding putting a manual in a higher trim. You only need to look as far as the Civic sport touring with that standard transmission. They cannot keep that model on the lot

[@neometalx9]

honda knows what they are doing and they are doing it right, unlike subaru, dropping the ball hard and only catering to soccer moms....

[@connoransberry6335]

Exactly like my wife's Crosstrek in there. Subaru has like 4 parts they rearrange to create their entire lineup

[@trampslikeus3575]

Love your reviews Sarah, I think your the only REAL mechanic reviewing cars (plus your quickness is amazing!)

[@rban123]

Just bought my 2024 impreza rs and I am loving it so far. Not fast but worth it for the slightly better horsepower and the sunroof/harmon kardon audio system

[@jasondanio6259]

I just got mine and love it. As long as you’re not looking for WRX acceleration it’s perfect. Great for commuting and the Harmon Kardon stereo is fantastic.

[@guylr7390]

Great job Sarah and right on analysis about why nobody wants the manual on the base model.

[@yogiballa]

I have a 19 base model Impreza hatch manual transmission, black out 20% tint on every piece of glass including the windshield, love it! So slow to start but once up to speed the handling is great

[@bbehzadi413]

You speak the truth! This car deserved the brz 2.4 and a manual it would’ve been a unique N/A hatchback!

[@-French-Fry-]

I love the lil rubber pointer 😂

[@FM-gv7sb]

Great point about the manual transmission! I also think dealers could spend a little time teaching people how to drive a manual. I think that would help.30 minutes just to show the basics.

[@DM72513]

I would have bought one with a 6-speed manual. Ended up with a 23 Jetta Sport 6-Speed and half the car payment.

[@ianprice2298]

I had a Impreza WRX Wagon once upon a time, a fun tossable car, so it’s nice that they brought back the hatch in the sporty one.

[@jeffmorse645]

All CVTs should do that when you floor them! Do the fake shifts to humor people most of the time but when you want full power it shouldn't fake shift you out of it.

[@pedroborrero7203]

The reason for the cvt is because the eyesight system on manual transmission they can’t offer it

[@dougt5357]

I don't believe I have ever seen the backseat try to flop forward in a braking test like this one did! Thank you for another great review!

[@SarahnTuned]

That was my fault, it wasn’t latched.

[@dougt5357]

@@SarahnTuned No harm, no foul! 👍👍

[@SME5724]

No Subaru fan and never even thought about owning one … but this one right here I love

[@moletrap2640]

I owned a 2004 WRX-STI back then. What an awesome car. Subaru sure have made their line-up milquetoast since then. Strange, when almost every other auto maker has been going up the performance curve the last 20 years, Subaru slid down. I wonder why?

[@v1m30]

Because they need to sell something in volume and that isn't an STI/WRX. Where as other car makers have a TON of crappy shopping carts to sell.

[@bongodave13]

"It's spelled milktoast, dummy!" -Your President, Donald J. Drumpf.

[@PotatosPotatoes]

CVT

[@SarahnTuned]

Their average customers age is 53 years old last I heard, so they’re making products for that base.. I think they need to hire some new people in their marketing department though.

[@moletrap2640]

@@SarahnTuned thx Sarah.

[@gregholloway2656]

Agree with your comments about manuals. I have a 2014 Forester stick, but it was only available in the base trim, and it took my dealer a month to find one. No wonder they don’t sell.

[@craigcampbell8560]

They sabotage the sales of manual transmission then wonder why they don't sell.... BRILLIANT!

[@keithlynch3086]

Your enthusiasm and knowledge have moved you to the top of my FAV reviewers, I had just about wrote off the the RS for a CX-30 as my next daily, until your review that is. Please review the the new 2024 Kona N-Line as my new ride will be between these two cars.

[@garnetheron4885]

I agree with you on everything you just said about the manual transmission by the way, I own six cars they are all manual transmissions three Volkswagens, one BMW, one series and two mini Cooper esses all manual

[@canadious6933]

I own the base Impreza 2016 and this car is everything I wanted to see as an improvement on the Impreza, but I don't think it is fair to compare to the WRX

[@Mk4_gti]

I love those red seats so much I might just have to some for my 19 Impreza 😂

[@whitestar618]

am I the only person that wants physical buttons/switches ?

[@martinlaumb4325]

Physical buttons/switches is a big reason I ordered a 2023 Forester before the 2024 model change. Ginormous touch screens are not my thing.

[@hillatrickjones]

In sporty cars I also still want a physical hand brake too. How else am I going to drift?

[@cnorton1us]

I think you're spot-on about what kind of drivers chose the manual transmission in the previous gen Impreza. I have a '21 Crosstrek "Premium", which of course is basically just a lifted Impreza hatch, and I got it with the 2.0/6-speed combo. Would I have liked the 2.5 and the Sport trim? Sure, if it came with a stick. I could certainly afford the slightly higher cost, but it wasn't worth it to lose the driving engagement. Having driven a Crosstrek with the CVT (the dealer had no manuals to try, because 2021 & supply chain) it's surprising how much different the character is with the manual. It's still slow, but not quite as painfully so, and at least it sounds cool running through the gears when you give it the beans. Great review, and Subaru should really listen to your suggestions for a special model.

[@elindenstein]

I found one of these locally with about 40k miles on it and am really intrigued. I've got a paid off pickup worth about 35k on a trade-in, so I'd get about 14k back if I got the Crosstrek. I had a 2013 Impreza Premium Hatch with a manual and it was fun, but yes, slow.. I then got a 2016 Forester XT which was a blast, but blew 3 CVT's in 32k miles (and i don't drive like an asshole). I miss manuals so much.

[@theamazinggoldfish8713]

Hi, I bought an 2021 Impreza hatchback sport in manual transmission. I added an Thornton performance chip which definitely makes it peppier. I added an illuminated ball shifter knob, LED headlights, luggage rack, trickle solar panel, underfloor lighting, El wire and an engine intake turbo fan.....I'm enjoying the little sputterer 😅👍

[@drunkhusband6257]

The only reason years ago to buy manuals was gas mileage and faster shifting, this no longer applies. There is literally no reason top buy a manual anymore

[@silenciummortum2193]

What performance mods would be recommended to add some more ooomph?

[@SarahnTuned]

Headers, exhaust, drop in air filter, lightweight forged monoblock wheels, tune.

[@Deetroiter]

All things considered, especially with most manufacturers prices on their vehicles, Subaru still offers an amazing value for what you get for the price.

[@joecutro7318]

Sarah, you take car reviews to an all new level. Entertaining, funny, objective, accurate, detailed, full of fun facts and fake farts. ❤ No others come close. Alas, I know I am stuck in a time warp when just under $30K is a great price point. 🙄🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️😢

[@deltavee2]

Thanks for another great review, Sarah. You always make them fun to watch and I never miss one. I loved the way the back seat tried to get into the front during the braking test. Never know what you're going to come up with next which just makes it that much more fun. Thanks for all your hard work. It is absolutely appreciated each and every time.

[@Papolucho702]

Your reviews and The Car Care Nut reviews are the best on KZbin. Flat out.

[@markwilliamdarus5592]

Great vid! I found this most informative as I am looking to own one of these. Thank you so much! -Mark

[@JackieBrown111]

"Ooh geez!" Always love hearing that

[@zanesutherland406]

Spot on with your views on a manual. I drive manual because of the experience, not because of affordability. One of my daily drivers is a 2007 Subaru Outback with a 5 speed manual. Fun car to drive, utilitarian, and it has a lot of luxury options to make it comfortable.

[@VRTRedStage]

Really like the hips on the rear quarter panels, nice design on these cars but I’m weak for wagons 😊

[@jasonjenkins812]

This will most likely be my next car.

[@lukepearson4899]

I love the way the rear seat moved forward under breaking 😂

[@e.risner1904]

Picked up a silver one yesterday.

[@Stefan-y6l]

How do you like it?

[@3ducs]

To my eyes, when I can take them off Sarah, the back muffler looks like aluminized steel rather than stainless. It is brighter/whiter than the stainless exhaust pipes.

[@brarautorepairs]

There was some testing done which showed that fake shifts are actually better for acceleration. There is still power loss by slipping the chain over the two cones in the CVT. This is why cars like the Civic have preferred shift points at full throttle. The WRX also shifts up and down with the fake shifts.

[@SarahnTuned]

As an owner of an SJ Forester XT w/ the TR690 CVT I call bullshit on the fakes shifts aiding acceleration.

[@ispianist]

Cvts are the most unreliable transmissions out there

[@SarahnTuned]

@@ispianist 11-16 Ford Fiesta Powershift Dual-Clutch Transmission has entered the chat. Lol

[@SagelyDude]

As the previous owner of a Ford Focus dual clutch and the current owner of a Subaru OB with CVT, it'd drive the CVT all day everyday especially in city traffic.

[@jasonchaney5382]

The disdain in your voice (and on your face) when you said CVT... LOL!

[@misterwombat]

Great to see some Subaru love, Sarah! I recently bought my first, a 23 Impreza sedan. Last of the line, but it's such a great car!

[@sammyt3514]

Was the backseat properly latched during the brake test? It flopped over a bit, which would be disconcerting if it was. I mean, if it does that with a (presumably) empty trunk, there's a risk that whatever you're carrying in the trunk would shoot out through the back seat and hit the occupants when breaking hard!

[@peeweeacres]

Your reviews are the best new and refreshing from the same old boring other channels. Totally agree on the black wheels getting so tired of seeing them on every vehicle.😊

[@brianwalker9185]

Love the car. Up here in Washington it's a no Brainerd. Wish I still had my turbo Forester...but I have enough vehicles...did I say that? Sarah, keep up the great work that you do. Be well, stay safe.

[@tonyr1615]

Couldn't agree with you any more with your comments around 10:05 about the m/t. Soooo spot on!!! Great review Sarah

[@grantw3678]

Very useful review - thank you! This will probably be my next daily driver…not ready to give up my 2014 WRX hatch, though!

[@andrearamosramos134]

Basic model starts at 23,000 plus all the fees adds on up to 30K for the basic eventually

[@ZackMartin777]

You should absolutely turn off the auto stop start feature. I have a 24 sport (basically the RS but with the 2.0 NA) also the door sticker for tire pressure greatly reduces fun max psi is 50 I believe. The door calls for 32 front 31 rear, I very much prefer 39 front 38 rear wild deference!

[@super16g123]

Was just looking at old motor week reviews of the old 2.5 rs and I'm kind of amazed. The new RS, despite weighing 400+ lbs more. And only making about 20 more hp. The new car is putting out almost identical acceleration numbers. That cvt must really be making the difference. Interesting.

[@danielgallagher8009]

It's all about the Eyesight system when it comes to subaru not offering manual transmissions anymore.

[@tjentertainmentstudio]

I don't know much about cars but that hand pointy thing you use is hilarious

[@Hallowsaw]

It would have been perfect if they lowered the compresion ratio of the ez36, supercharged it from factory and then put in a 48v mild hybrid powertrain in it to make a RELIABLE 300hp and great gas mileage. Also side note its obviously not like this everywhere but subaru buyers based on studies are generally well off. I rarely see the premium or base model. Most of the time i see limited, touring and now wilderness models.

[@joebot2127]

After watching Mighty Car Mods swap all the parts from a wrecked WRX STI to a levorge... yes, I do believe all the subaru parts are interchangable. All they had to do was add some wires to the harness.

[@jasonschubert6828]

Someone had to mention it, I was thinking Sarah was basically describing that build!

[@JulianLinkAcosta]

Wasn’t able to find a single manual in 2022 but luckily I was able to order my Impreza in sport with the manual, hopefully they’ll bring it back in the future…or make the wrx in hatch

[@turnbullda]

Super informative. Love that pointer, priceless.

[@snogirrlx]

Dammit Sarah. I was here last year right before I leased the blue wilderness, I’m at the point where I need to order another and here you are making my decision SUPER EASY. I LOVE YOU

[@Pogona2011]

I love your reviews-informative-and fun! I love your off-the-wall humor too.

[@TheFlyrodder68]

I still own a 2002 Subaru WRX Wagon. Yup, manual, turbo and hatchback-like. A great car.

[@richardsmith4187]

Sarah GREAT review, probably the best I've seen on the 2024 Impreza RS ! I'm on my 3rd Impreza now and from the looks of it the RS is going to be my 4th. I agree the Crystal Pearl White is awesome and in the sun it does shine. I for one like the CVT as I tired of shifting gears years ago. Keep up your great reviews.

[@zackdenardis]

That bean test looked quicker than I was expecting!!! So happy it does the smart thing and pins the rpms when your foot is flat

[@mariovazquez3874]

When I went to get my 2021, they had no manual on inventory 😢

[@Azrael8]

@10:16 thanks for making the case for why the manual is only offered on the top trim Integra 😅

[@duckyjp17]

No interest in any Subarus but I never miss one of your videos!

[@somestuffithoughtyoumightl6985]

9:07 It is indeed shifting; position of the CVT belt/chain 😜 Great points about manual sales. Hope Subaru is listening to your great suggestions 👍🏼

[@kevinhobbs1832]

I watched someone else test this car and they did not turn off the traction control....my point? Your superior attention to detail!

[@jmlupoludowicy1239]

"E.T. can ride in your backpack!" Hilarious! 😂

[@Fenyx808]

Love your review, Sarah. It's thorough and fun. Also my first time seeing your channel. You earned a follow!

[@oic1968]

Other than ride height what is the difference between the Crosstrek and the RS? Same power in the 2.5l ...

[@SarahnTuned]

The body and the interior are significantly different.

[@Laguy211]

I agree with your overall review its almost a perfect score. It'll be interesting to see what kind of set up Subaru will use when they go electric.

[@brandonpetrilla1731]

Love it, Clean minimal cladding, Now drop the FA24 in it with a 6 speed, I had a 2000 RS in high school, absolutely loved it.

[@roberthartmann668]

I love your car reviews Sarah❤

[@bsmirnov]

Mazda is a little bit smarter - they offer Mazda 3 2.5 FWD hatch with manual. One trim only - S Premium, but it comes with quite a few niceties, not a barebone low level trim. Price starts at $30'315, even higher than RS. I'm curios what their sales numbers are. BTW, I remember, you reviewed several Mazdas, do they offer model 3 for review? With a manual? 🤔

[@markcoopers1930]

I ended up getting the turbo instead of the manual because the wait was shorter. One dealership said I'd be 6th in line and was looking at a minimum one year wait and I couldn't be picky about color. They were only getting 8 manual 3 allocations a year, which was more than many, and they had already traded 1 for some extra CX-9 allocations. I love it but now I'm looking at Miatas to fix my third pedal shortage....

[@chucktownattack]

I went with this over the Mazda in the end. Simply because I needed the more practical and somewhat slightly cheaper vehicle with all the features fully loaded that bring the Mazda price way up. I'm happy with my decision but absolutely think people more interested in performance/racing should go for the manual. Or... just get a WRX.

[@Pogona2011]

I'm looking forward to see the mods you do

[@SarahnTuned]

🤨 um.. it’s a press car. This was a car review, I don’t own it.

[@Gritt982]

I didn't know this came in a 2.5. I wonder how it compares to the Mazda 3 2.5 AWD

[@brz757]

Love the car, but I absolutely detest the touchscreen HVAC. It is absolutely a dealbreaker. Does it have start stop also? The only issue I ever had with the older square Subaru infotainment system was the that when you change the volume the entire screen turned black for like five seconds. Absolutely crazy we could just have a little bar at the top or bottom but they decided to black out the entire freaking screen whenever you change the volume at all

[@midwestslim]

thunderstruck/kickstart my heart/Welcome to the jungle/Freebird (on bagpipes)

[@CouchMan88]

I just bought one of the last 2023 Impreza even knowing this was coming out. Main reasons were: the integrated climate control on the screen. Don't like that, I just want physical knobs. The electronic e-brake. It just over-complicates something that should be very simple. The auto start/stop, this one is obvious. I know you can disable it but having to do that every time you get in the car is annoying. You don't get that much more power. Yeah its better than nothing but only around 30hp extra and you lose 3 mpg just doesn't feel like a worthwhile trade off since its still not really fast anyway. It just doesn't look that much different than the last gen, I like the taillights better but that's about it. The steering headlights are nice when they work but one more thing to break 10 years down the road. I just like the simplicity of the last generation Impreza. In a time of ever more complicated vehicles that was what I was looking for. Enough tech to be enjoyable but not so much that it will end up being problematic. Having said that if I was buying an Impreza from the 24 model year and up this would probably be the one I would get. Great review!

[@TrainerAQ]

Im glad you know the reason manuals don't sell in USA. Manuals are always offered in the lowest trim. That means if you want a manual you always have to give up all the other creature comforts.

[@tomdrummy4984]

Helloooo Sarah ! 👋 I love how your eyes are always smiling 👀 lol. I also have one of those finger pointer things…….bought it to reset my smoke detector because I have very high ceilings 😃

[@ubroberts5541]

I like your reviews.

[@toobusy63]

I hope that wasn't a malfunction in the back seat moving forward during the break test😲🤔

[@andrewSUN17]

For the price and value, I love it...a sweet lil hatchback with a well developed flat 4 and AWD and for the size the 2.5 is plenty...(OF COURSE, I would have loved a turbo Subaru!!!)

[@sickjohnson]

Wow, I thought every manufacturer had dropped using CVT's right after it's roll out, except Nissan? Another awesome one Sarah!

[@James-sir]

Isn’t there a Toyota hatchback that’s manual?

[@dorfrt3508]

GR Corolla. They dumped the manual on the standard hatch.

[@roberthahn3710]

As a SUBARU owner (outback and Ascent) I wish Subaru would build a TACO SIZED small PICKUP TRUCK.

[@aijcadd]

Love Subaru so this was a review I looked forward too. I really like this car, enough I would consider CVT myself. I hate you for liking CVT too !!. I still am old school and prefer a stick shift.

[@nathantucker1422]

If it had a manual transmission I would buy one right now

[@lawrencehawk5179]

Almost Smurfect huh. Need to do that door open thingy while running to hear the lady yapping aboot it being open, a 23 version. Also been meaning to ask, what's so special aboot the catalytic converter part? They made of gold or something. Saw on the news one time they nailed a mechanic garage with a ton of them kind.

[@kaileysweeney4240]

Imagine this car with the BRZ engine, a manual transmission, and Perrelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect tires, a car for everything and the best little hot hatch possible. But dreams are dreams.

[@GordEvans]

I'm a huge fan of your car reviews, Sarah. I hope you'll continue to do what you do so well. I love your linguistic delivery. It makes the videos so much more fun. I really appreciate that you have been consistent in your spelling of aluminum as aluminium like the English do. Keep on having fun with your amazing, knowledgable car reviews.

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

You are “”Exactly RIGHT “”on the sale of ‘manual cars ……❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sjnavaid]

have the stick sedan and honestly it's an amazing car!

[@garnetheron4885]

I hate those info payment screens. I am avoiding cars with those right now. Guess that’s why I’m always buying used cars.

[@infiniterift]

Time for the braking test. Rear seat: *Ight, Imma head out.*

[@joecutro7318]

😂

[@rasharddauvergne342]

A gearbox and a lil turbo would be nice