Subaru revives its legendary 2.5 RS for its next-generation Impreza.
- The 2024 Subaru Impreza celebrates turning 30 with its new sixth-generation model.
- The upcoming Impreza features 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter boxer engine options, making 152 hp and 182 hp, respectively.
- Subaru revives the popular RS badge for the Impreza and pays homage to the nameplate’s performance heritage.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its debut at the 1992 Los Angeles auto show, Subaru is showing off the next-generation Impreza at this year’s LA car expo. Subaru’s legendary Impreza compact enters its sixth generation without a sedan in tow, launching exclusively as a hatchback. The redesigned model also gets the iconic RS trim to add some sporty flair but sticks with the tried-and-true standard all-wheel-drive system.
Powering the next-generation Subaru Impreza is either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer or a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer. The entry-level flat-four sends 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque through the standard continuously variable transmission. The 2.5-liter boxer sends 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque through the same CVT before traveling to the standard AWD system. That’s right: the five-speed manual finally leaves the Impreza.
If you want the more powerful engine, you’ll have to step up to the RS trim, as base and Sport models come with the 2.0-liter mill. The Sport and RS both have paddles flanking the steering column to manipulate the CVT’s step logic if you want to outsmart your next car’s computer.
Subaru dove into the WRX parts bin and gave the new Impreza its dual-pinion steering rack, designed for better steering feel and to be more responsive to your inputs. We’ll find out how effective this system is in the new Impreza when we get time behind the wheel. The Impreza also gets Subaru’s SI-Drive engine management system with selectable modes, but only on Sport and RS models.
Subaru says its EyeSight driver-assistance suite, which is standard issue for all Impreza models, gets a general update and will operate better in more diverse conditions. The system also now can identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections earlier and can apply the brakes to avoid a collision. Automatic emergency steering also shows up on the Impreza but only on cars equipped with the blindspot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert.
Inside, Subaru’s new Impreza sports an optional 11.6-inch Starlink media touchscreen that is vertically oriented and now handles climate control, vehicle functions and, of course, audio info. This larger screen makes its way to the Sport model and the RS trim. This is a big leap from the current model’s optional 8.0-inch touchscreen. Subaru doesn’t mention the size of the next Impreza’s base screen, but the base WRX features twin 7.0-inch screens in base trim.
There’s also no word on the price. We’ll get formal pricing when this new Impreza closes in on its spring arrival date, but we can imagine the price will rise from the current $20,815 base. Could the new Impreza be priced closer to the Honda Civic’s $25,745 base sticker?
Wesley Wren Wesley Wren has spent his entire life around cars, whether it’s dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford for Halloween as a child, repairing cars in college or collecting frustrating pieces of history—and most things in between.
Keyword: The 2024 Subaru Impreza Goes Hatch Only, Ditches the Stick