Is the Subaru Impreza a fast car?
In basic form, the Subaru Impreza isn’t fast by sports-car standards; its strengths are practicality, all-wheel drive grip, and everyday usability. For speed, Subaru offers the WRX variant, and historically the WRX STI, which are markedly quicker than the standard Impreza.
What counts as fast and how the Impreza stacks up
“Fast” can mean straight-line sprint (0–60 mph), top speed, or track-ready handling. The standard Impreza focuses on reliability, efficient performance, and grip in all weather, aided by its symmetric all-wheel-drive layout. Turbocharged performance, sharper suspension, and more horsepower live in the WRX family, which is the branch of the lineup that appeals to buyers seeking speed.
Performance by variant
Here are rough, model-year-agnostic figures to illustrate the range of performance across the Impreza family. Exact numbers vary by year, drivetrain, and transmission, but the general picture is stable.
- Impreza (base): 2.0-liter flat-four around 150–155 horsepower; 0–60 mph typically in the high 8s to around 9 seconds; standard all-wheel drive aids daily traction.
- Impreza WRX (performance variant): Turbocharged engine around 268–271 horsepower; 0–60 mph roughly in the 5.0–5.5 second range; sport-tuned suspension and sharper steering boost agility.
- Impreza WRX STI (historical/note): Historically the fastest Impreza variant with around 300+ horsepower and sub-5-second 0–60 times; as of 2024, Subaru no longer sells a new WRX STI, though used examples remain available for enthusiasts.
In practice, that range means the Impreza lineup spans from practical daily driving to genuine speed potential within the WRX family. If you want a new-car fast option, the WRX is the primary choice, and the WRX STI is no longer offered new.
Summary
The Impreza name is best known for practicality and all-wheel-drive versatility. Base models are not fast cars, but the WRX adds significant speed thanks to turbocharged power and sport-tuned dynamics. For peak performance on a greenfield or used market, a WRX (and historically the STI) represents the fastest expression associated with the Impreza platform — though new-car buyers should note that a traditional STI variant isn’t sold new anymore, while the WRX remains the fastest fresh option.
