2023 Subaru Impreza Sedan

　　

2023 Subaru Impreza Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Do you live where the weather is frequently miserable and dream of owning a simple, affordable, dependable and safe small car equipped with standard all-wheel drive? Well, then say hello to the 2023 Subaru Impreza.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$144/mo  for Impreza Base

　　Impreza Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) - $19,795 MSRP4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) - $20,295 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,095 MSRP4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,595 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,195 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,695 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M) - $23,995 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,595 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,095 MSRPLimited 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,395 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, the Impreza is overdue for a complete redesign. For now, Subaru carries it over without any changes except for a price hike. That means it still has an underpowered engine, an unpleasant continuously variable transmission, a function-over-form interior, and Subaru's trademark quirky design and layout.

　　Nevertheless, the only rival to the Impreza that offers AWD is the Mazda 3, and this Subaru gets top safety ratings aside from iffy headlight performance. Plus, the handy Impreza hatchback offers added utility that some compact cars can't match. If these qualities are important to you, read our full Expert Rating to learn more about the 2023 Impreza.

　　

What's it like to live with?

The last time Subaru redesigned this car, we spent a year and 20,000 miles putting a 2017 Subaru Impreza sedan to the test. Some things have changed since then, but many of our impressions of that 2017 model remain valid for the 2023 Impreza. So, be sure to check out our long-term road test of a 2017 Subaru Impreza to get an in-depth look at what it's like to live with this car.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below