Is the Subaru Impreza powerful?
The short answer: not by the benchmarks set by performance-focused cars. The Impreza prioritizes all-weather capability, practicality, and efficiency, delivering a modest but adequate power output for daily driving.
In more detail, the current Impreza lineup uses a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed engine that makes about 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It’s designed for confident acceleration, stable handling, and strong grip in rain or snow, rather than outright speed. Here’s a closer look at what that means in real-world driving, how it compares with rivals, and what you should expect from its performance.
Engine and performance
Core numbers
Here are the key figures that define the Impreza’s power and how it delivers it to the road.
- Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four (boxer) engine
- Horsepower: 152 hp
- Torque: 145 lb-ft
- Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) with manual shift mode in many trims
- Drivetrain: Standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Estimated 0-60 mph: roughly 9 seconds (varies by model year and conditions)
- EPA fuel economy: typically around 28 mpg city / 36 mpg highway (varies by year and trim)
In daily use, these numbers translate to steady, predictable acceleration and strong traction in poor weather, rather than brisk, sporty performance.
Drivetrain, efficiency, and daily feel
Beyond raw numbers, Subaru’s AWD system and the Impreza’s tuning shape how the power feels on the road. The packaging promotes confidence in rain, snow, and slick surfaces, with a ride that emphasizes comfort and stability over racing-car immediacy.
For most buyers, that translates to easy highway merging, calm highway cruising, and preserved grip on slippery roads, at the expense of peak acceleration and cornering excitement.
Trims, power delivery, and real-world performance
Power output remains largely consistent across the current Impreza lineup. The main differences between trims are features, materials, and technology rather than horsepower. The CVT is the standard transmission in most markets, and there is no traditional manual option in the latest U.S. offerings.
- Power output stays at 152 hp across trims
- CVT is the standard transmission across models
- All models come with standard AWD, enhancing stability and traction
Taken together, this means the Impreza delivers reliable, all-weather performance and good everyday usability, rather than a high-performance driving experience. If you seek more speed and sporty handling, you would likely look to the WRX or WRX STI variants in Subaru’s lineup.
How it compares with rivals
In the compact-car segment, several rivals offer higher horsepower or sportier tuning, though they may not match the Impreza’s standard AWD and all-around practicality. Cars in this class range from nimble, efficient non-AWD hatchbacks to performance-oriented variants with markedly more power. The Impreza stands out for its all-wheel-drive confidence and safety features, while most rivals aim for sharper acceleration or sportier dynamics.
- Some competitors offer more horsepower or faster 0-60 times, often with front-wheel drive or optional AWD
- Other rivals prioritize sportiness or luxury features, sometimes at the expense of AWD capability or price
For buyers who prize all-weather capability, ground clearance, and Subaru’s safety tech, the Impreza remains a compelling choice even if its power is not a standout trait in the segment.
Summary
Is the Subaru Impreza powerful? Not in the sense of a traditional performance car. It packs a practical 152-horsepower 2.0-liter flat-four with standard AWD and a versatile CVT, delivering dependable, all-weather performance and good daily usability. If you want more punch and sportiness, consider the WRX, which is engineered specifically for higher power and sharper handling.
