The Subaru Impreza is getting a major price cut while gaining a more powerful engine, giving the hatchback a lower starting price and more performance. The base model’s MSRP falls by $2,000, making it the cheapest all-wheel-drive car available in America.
Subaru Impreza Price Drops to $24,595
Subaru cut the MSRP of the base Impreza from $26,595 to $24,595. The trim is no longer called the Sport, while the destination charge increases by $50 to $1,245.
That brings the total price to $25,840, representing an overall savings of $1,950 compared with last year.
The RS trim remains at an MSRP of $29,495, unchanged from last year. With the higher destination charge, however, its total price is $50 higher, making the year-to-year change minimal.
The Impreza is not the cheapest compact car overall, as the Civic and Corolla sedans remain below its price. However, it is the cheapest hatchback.
It is also the cheapest car available in America with all-wheel drive, undercutting subcompact crossovers including the 2027 Nissan Kicks and 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which have MSRPs above $26,000 and $25,000, respectively. The 2027 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport also starts above $26,000 and comes only with all-wheel drive.
More Power for the Base Impreza
The lower-priced base Impreza also receives a significant power upgrade. Subaru has replaced its previous 2.0-liter four-cylinder with the 2.5-liter engine previously exclusive to the RS trim.
The 2.5-liter engine produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. That is an increase of 28 horsepower and 33 pound-feet compared with the 2.0-liter engine.
The additional power makes the Impreza one of the most powerful base-trim compact cars on the market, surpassing the base Civic and Corolla hatchbacks and nearly matching the Mazda3.
The Impreza continues to use a CVT as its only transmission. It also features paddle shifters and eight preset ratios that drivers can select if desired.
What Changes on the Base Impreza?
Subaru reduced some of the standard equipment to help lower the price. The base Impreza loses the large 11.6-inch infotainment screen and instead uses two screens in the center stack, with the upper display handling infotainment and the lower one controlling the climate system.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain available, but they are now wired rather than wireless. The base model also has four speakers instead of six and uses 17-inch alloy wheels rather than 18-inch wheels.
The base model does not offer option packages, meaning buyers who want additional equipment must move up to the RS.
Despite those changes, the base Impreza still includes alloy wheels, phone mirroring and dual-zone automatic climate control. Its safety and convenience equipment includes steering headlights and adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
Impreza RS Adds More Equipment
The RS brings additional equipment for its higher price. It gets the large infotainment screen, wireless phone mirroring, 18-inch wheels and six speakers, matching the equipment the base Impreza previously offered.
The RS also adds fog lights, a sound-insulated windshield, sportier exterior trim, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and rear-seat charging ports.
Its safety equipment expands with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
Buyers can further upgrade the RS with an optional sunroof, power-adjustable driver seat and 10-speaker sound system.
Both the base Impreza and RS will be available by the end of the year.
