Whatever happened to keeping a vehicle simple? At the end of the day, many of them are meant to go from point A to point B. It is as though manufacturers try to cram in new doohickeys in every new car. Then, when the fancy parts break down, you’re putting money back into their pockets via repairs! Subaru is the opposite, however. Its lineup makes for great, simple, effective vehicles. The wheel doesn’t always have to be reinvented, and many of Subaru’s cars abide by this philosophy. On the other hand, the brand also produces vehicles that come standard with all sorts of gadgets and modern ingenuity. One thing that these vehicles are, however, is versatile. Subaru even includes its symmetrical all-wheel drive for free! If you live in an area with year-long rain or occasional winter snow, it is especially worth considering a visit to a local Subaru dealer.
#1 – Subaru Impreza
Starting off this list, we have the Subaru Impreza. One of its biggest appeals is its relatively low price point. You can drive one of these bad boys out of the lot for under $20,000. The MSRP for the base model 2022 Impreza Sedan starts at just $19,295. It is not a fancy car tricked out with all sorts of premium equipment, and this is reflected in its low price. Instead, the Impreza is a consistently reliable daily driver that does its job effectively, no matter the weather. What you see is pretty much what you get.
Subaru’s highly regarded, symmetrical all-wheel drive comes standard on this model. Normally this feature marks up the price of a vehicle, but Subaru’s signature move is including it free of charge for all of its models. For climates with year-long rain, all-wheel drive is going to come in handy. Due to power being transferred to both sets of wheels, it helps prevent the car from hydroplaning. In addition, it is useful for all sorts of terrain. You can expect the Subaru Impreza’s drivetrain to perform well in any conditions.
Standard EyeSight driver-assist technology is one of the more complex features of the Impreza. This is a rather premium addition that does not always come standard on other cars. So it is very generous of Subaru to offer it for no cost. This is a benefit to both those who want to use it and to those who don’t. EyeSight is a feature that allows the car to sense what is in front of it. If the car senses that it is going to hit something, it will reduce the engine power to help prevent a collision.
The interior is composed of common plastic material with cloth seats. This is one of the many ways that the Impreza remains practical and affordable. Due to it not having super fancy material, the interior is easy to clean. Additionally, in order to keep things simple, there are fewer interior features. That means fewer parts to worry about going wrong! However, the Subaru Impreza manages to keep costs low while still being up to date.
One especially practical feature of the Impreza is that it is also offered as a Hatchback model. The Sedan version comes with about 12 cu.ft. of cargo space in the trunk. With the Hatchback, however, that space rises to about 20 cu.ft. While choosing the Hatchback does increase the price of the car slightly, since the cost of the Impreza is on the lower side, this is still an affordable and practical option.
#2 – Subaru Crosstrek
If the Impreza is a little too simplistic, the Subaru Crosstrek is a step up in size, price, and technology. Priced at $23,645, the 2023 Crosstrek is a small SUV that shares many of the same features as the Impreza while also having its own unique feel. Before getting into what makes the Subaru Crosstrek its own unique practical car, there are a few very important features that it shares with the Impreza.
Like many other Subaru models, the Subaru Crosstrek gets that standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. Once again, this adds so much versatility, making it a vehicle fit for any climate. Additionally, EyeSight collision-detection and lane-keep assist come with the base model. These features are greatly appreciated in the Impreza, and they are amazing additions to the Subaru Crosstrek. The Crosstrek also has a similar 20 cu.ft. of cargo space. The space is helpful for those who travel with a lot of equipment. It removes the need to play Tetris with the cargo space. If 20 cu.ft. of space is not enough, the rear passenger seats can be folded down, increasing the cargo space to about 55 cu.ft.
The Crosstrek has an advantage when it comes to off-roading. Not only does it have symmetrical all-wheel drive, but it also has an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Even for those who don’t plan on off-roading, the high ground clearance is still beneficial. It helps reduce the amount of kicked-up debris hitting the underside of the car.
One of the things that make the Crosstrek a great practical car is its fuel efficiency. If this is going to be a daily driver, it is going to conserve an above-average amount of gas. Coming in at up to 28 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, this SUV will require less fuel than many other vehicles on the market. With gas prices the way they are, spending less on gasoline is a must for anyone who is going to drive often.
#3 – Subaru WRX
The WRX is the most expensive model on the list. Coming in at just under $30,000, it is also one the fastest compact cars at its price point. It comes standard with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine that produces 271 hp. This vehicle is meant for speed demons who want to go fast without breaking the bank. At its price point, it makes a perfect introduction for drivers who have always wanted a sports car but who don’t want to pay extra for one.
Practical performance is the name of the game with the Subaru WRX. The lower price point is well warranted. As with the Impreza, the WRX cuts some corners so that it stays as an affordable speedster. The infotainment is simple yet effective. Along with this, the interior isn’t anything special. Still, the performance is a large step up from the Impreza, and since the pricing is low for a sports car, it’s a popular option.
With sports cars, there is a bit of a learning curve to them. It is hard to go from a model with an anemic engine to a powerful turbocharged car. But the WRX comes standard with amazing features that will help you make the transition smoothly. It comes with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and other safety features. In conjunction with its high speed, this makes the car run like an easy-to-manage dream. Even for drivers who are not used to sports cars, the drivetrain will help make the driver feel in control. The handling won’t be as harsh, and if worst comes to worst, the safety features can get you out of a pinch.
