Is the Subaru Impreza a sport car?
The base Subaru Impreza is not a sport car; it is a practical compact with standard all‑wheel drive. The sportier WRX variant sits higher in the lineup and is designed for performance. So, the Impreza itself isn’t a sports car, but its lineup does include a sport-oriented option.
What counts as a sports car and where the Impreza fits
In automotive journalism, a sports car is typically defined by a focus on performance, handling, and speed—often with a sportier chassis and design. Many manufacturers distribute sport-oriented variants on practical platforms. Here’s how Subaru’s Impreza line maps to that idea:
- Base Impreza: a compact car offered as a sedan or five-door hatchback with all-wheel drive in many markets; emphasizes practicality, efficiency, and safety rather than outright speed.
- WRX: the performance-oriented variant, featuring turbocharged power, a sport-tuned suspension, and more aggressive styling; widely regarded as a sport compact or sport sedan/hatch.
- WRX STI: historically the top-performance Impreza model; offered in some markets in the past, but not currently a mainstream US/Global offering; it remains the high-performance heir to the Impreza lineage in memory.
In short, the Impreza family spans from everyday transportation to rally-inspired performance. The label “sport” primarily attaches to the WRX tier rather than the base Impreza.
The current lineup and how it’s marketed
Today’s Impreza is positioned as a practical compact with available all-wheel drive, offered in sedan or hatchback form. The sport association within Subaru’s lineup comes from the WRX variant, which is marketed and tuned for a more engaging, performance-focused drive. The WRX STI, historically the most extreme version, has been discontinued in most markets, so current sport-minded buyers typically look to the WRX rather than a separate STI model.
Before the list, here’s a concise comparison of how the variants differ on the key points enthusiasts care about:
- Base Impreza: everyday practicality, comfortable ride, standard AWD where offered; not a sport model.
- WRX: turbocharged power, sharper handling, sport-oriented suspension and styling; classed as a sport compact or sports sedan/hatch.
- WRX STI: peak-performance variant in the past; currently not widely offered in most markets; remains a historical reference point for the Impreza’s sport lineage.
Concluding: If sportier performance is the goal within the Impreza family, the WRX is the relevant choice; the base Impreza prioritizes practicality over speed.
Summary
Bottom line: The Subaru Impreza as a model line is not a sports car; its sport credentials come from the WRX variant, which delivers noticeably enhanced performance and handling. The STI, once the top-tier performance option, is generally not offered today in most markets. For enthusiasts seeking a sportier driving experience from Subaru’s Impreza family, the WRX is the model to consider, while the base Impreza remains the practical, all‑wheel‑drive compact.
What type of car is a Subaru Impreza?
A Subaru Impreza is a compact car, historically offered as either a sedan or a five-door hatchback, known for its standard all-wheel-drive and rally-racing heritage. For current models, it is exclusively available as a five-door hatchback, with the sedan variant now sold as the WRX.
- Vehicle Class: The Impreza is classified as a compact car.
- Body Styles:
- Past: It was available as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, and in some past generations, as a two-door coupe or station wagon.
- Current: It is only offered as a five-door hatchback in the current generation. The sedan is now part of the Subaru WRX lineup.
- Key Features:
- All-Wheel Drive: It comes standard with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, a distinguishing feature in its class.
- Engine: It is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine.
- Transmission: A 5-speed manual transmission is available on some models, though a Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is also common.
- Performance: It offers a balance of capability, safety, and a comfortable ride, with some models featuring a sport-tuned suspension.
Is the Subaru Impreza a fast car?
Whether a Subaru Impreza is fast depends on the model; performance-oriented versions like the STI are very fast, while standard models are not, with a base 2025 model taking around 9 seconds to reach 60 mph. Older performance models, such as the 2006-2008 WRX STi, could do 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Performance models (WRX, STI)
- Fast: High-performance WRX and STI models are significantly faster, built for speed and rallying.
- Examples:
- The 2006-2008 WRX STi had a 0-60 mph time of about 5.4 seconds.
- The 1994 Impreza Turbo 2000 AWD could go from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
Standard models
- Not fast: Standard, non-turbocharged Imprezas are not designed for speed.
- Examples:
- A 2025 Impreza takes around 9.0 seconds to go from 0-60 mph.
- Some users report that the current standard models feel sluggish, especially when merging or on inclines.
Is the Subaru Impreza considered a sports car?
At the American MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards, the Impreza won the Best Sport Sedan in 2002 and the Best Performance Car in 2004.
Which Subaru is the most sporty?
The Subaru WRX is a rally-inspired sports car that stands out among all other vehicles in its class thanks to its ruggedly bold styling and performance. All models use a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 271-horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque.
