A year can make a big difference for a person. Life sometimes seems slow, but when it moves fast, it moves at lightning speed. The same goes for cars, SUVs, and trucks. A year can result in minor differences from model to model. It can also result in massive changes if a car evolves into a new generation. The latter just occurred with the Subaru Impreza. With its 2024 model, the Impreza enters its sixth generation of success, affordability, and comfort.
If you’re looking for a Subaru Impreza for sale, it’s worth considering that quite a bit has changed since the 2023 model (all of it for the better!). If you’re under the impression there have only been a few cosmetic changes, then think again: there’s been a major overhaul of multiple elements of the Impreza. Subaru has aimed to increase its marketability by adding tech features and more power to the 2024 Impreza. We’re going to take a look at how it’s evolved since last year so that you feel fully informed about the new 2024 model as opposed to relying on outdated specs from 2023.
The Impreza’s First Five Generations
If the Impreza is entering its sixth generation, does that mean it’s been around for a while? It does, indeed! It’s been around for three decades now, premiering in 1992. But while the Impreza has seen multiple updates over the years, it has remained true to its roots and hasn’t changed that dramatically. Even since its launch, the Impreza has been a safe and affordable compact car that stands out for offering an advanced all-wheel drive system.
As the years passed, the Impreza lost some of the early exterior touches that didn’t go over well, especially the bug-eyed headlights. Those were gone by the mid-2000s. Under the hood, changes came with the fourth and fifth generations, but its look in 2012 is not terribly far off from today. The most significant changes came with the addition of more modern tech features, from the Starlink infotainment system to the EyeSight driver-assist tools.
More Power
When a new generation of a vehicle arrives, one of the first things automobile aficionados check out is performance. A new engine type can mean a radically different experience on the road. The 2023 Impreza is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that garners 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. What does that translate to? It means the 2023 Impreza can get you where you need to go, but acceleration isn’t the quickest, and you might feel some resistance at high speeds.
Subaru aimed to fix this problem with the sixth-generation model. The 2024 Impreza still comes standard with that 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but there’s now an option for a more aggressive engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This cranks the numbers up a bit, which will be enticing to drivers who like a bit more power in their cars. After all, who wants to be stuck waiting to merge onto the highway? This 2.5-liter engine has 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration will be faster, and driving at higher speeds won’t feel as rough.
That’s not the only performance story, though. The 2024 Impreza now comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on all trims. While a handful of drivers might miss the old five-speed manual transmission, your ride will be smoother and more efficient thanks to the CVT, which is why it went from optional to standard. Symmetrical all-wheel drive is also standard, so your wheels will always have the right amount of power, depending upon the road conditions. Once more, the result is a smooth ride.
Speaking of the wheels, there’s been a bit of an upgrade there. The sporty RS trim comes with 18-inch wheels to complement its 2.5-liter engine. While you could get wheels that large on higher trims of the 2023 model, they weren’t combined with that better engine. This allows the 2024 model to have yet another advantage as its trims offer smart combinations of capability.
Exterior Beauty
One big change Subaru wanted to make was to give the new Impreza a sportier vibe than past generations. While not a sports car (there’s the Subaru WRX for that), the 2024 Impreza definitely has a more fun look than its predecessors. The grille on the 2024 model is bolder and more aggressive in shape than the one on the 2023 model. The sixth-generation Impreza is also now exclusively a hatchback, yet it still looks more aerodynamic than the 2023 model thanks to its sloped front and rear.
If you want to add even more fun to the exterior, the 2024 Impreza RS will be the one for you. This trim is specifically designed for drivers who desire extra sportiness. With a dark gray finish on the larger wheels and a black finish on virtually every exterior feature, the RS makes a statement wherever it goes. It even has a sport-tuned suspension for sharper handling.
Interior Space and Comfort
With a hatchback, space becomes a bragging point. With rear seats down, the 2024 Impreza adds a bit more cargo space over the outgoing hatchback, topping off at 56 cu.ft. of cargo volume. Those extra cubic inches can make a huge difference when you’re trying to pack for a trip. The 2024 Impreza also has a back step that makes it easier for you to secure any luggage to the roof. No need to worry about straining to reach anymore.
Both models are known for offering plenty of passenger space, but Subaru put some extra effort into making the cabin quieter for the 2024 model. By all accounts, it succeeded. Once you experience the quieter ride of the 2024 Impreza, you’re going to demand that level of silence in all your vehicles going forward. While the 2023 model does have comfortable seats, Subaru aimed to make the front seats of the 2024 iteration more ergonomic so long trips can be made comfortably.
Technology Updates
The amount of technology in cars today is shocking when you consider that an AM/FM radio was the most advanced tech you could get in a vehicle not all that long ago. Now, there’s seemingly limitless tech capability inside the average car.
The 2023 Impreza comes standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. It has excellent color and a real sharpness to the images, but the size is so small that the driver often cannot take advantage of it as regularly as they might want to. While higher trims of the 2023 Impreza give riders an eight-inch touchscreen, the size still comes up as lacking compared to other cars of this size. That’s been fixed for the 2024 Impreza. The base model now comes with a pair of seven-inch screens, and it can be upgraded to an 11.6-inch display on the Sport and RS trims. You won’t have any trouble accessing what the touchscreen offers with the latter.
The 2023 Impreza has expected features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you can connect your devices and listen to your tunes and podcasts. The 2024 Impreza goes a step above. On the Sport and RS trims, you have the Starlink Multimedia Plus system, which now comes with additional safety features and controls that can let you manipulate both exterior and interior aspects of your car, such as climate and audio. This acts as a good example of the evolution the Impreza has gone through.
The Takeaway
Both the 2023 and 2024 models of the Subaru Impreza are affordable vehicles aimed at the average driver who wants a ride they can trust. The 2024 model, however, adds a bit more zest with a larger engine and sharper exterior, along with an interior that’s more enjoyable to sit in and has plenty of cargo space for journeys that require substantial luggage. The goal for the sixth generation of the Impreza was to build on what worked well, such as its affordability and trustworthiness, and improve on what some drivers felt was lacking, such as performance and power. Subaru unquestionably met that goal with the new 2024 Impreza.
