What are the negatives of Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza offers practicality and standard all-wheel drive, but its notable downsides include weak acceleration with the base engine and CVT, a louder, less refined interior, and tighter rear seating and cargo space compared with some rivals. These drawbacks vary by generation and trim, so buyers should weigh them against the model’s strengths.
Across its generations, the Impreza has aimed to deliver value, safety and all-weather capability in a compact package. However, for buyers who want sporty performance, a more polished interior, or maximum rear-seat and cargo room, there are clear compromises to consider.
Performance and drivetrain drawbacks
Power and transmission at a glance
The most common criticisms of the Impreza revolve around its powertrain: the standard 2.0-liter engine and the constantly variable transmission (CVT). The combination is adequate for daily commuting but often feels underpowered on highways or when carrying passengers, and the CVT can produce a droning or sluggish feel that some drivers dislike.
- Base engine delivers modest acceleration, especially when the car is loaded or merging into traffic.
- The CVT can feel slow to respond and may produce a monotonous engine note under hard acceleration.
- There is no current U.S. manual transmission option in the Impreza lineup, which reduces appeal for enthusiasts.
- All-wheel drive is standard, adding weight and potentially reducing acceleration and fuel economy versus some rivals with front-wheel drive.
Overall, these drivetrain factors shape daily driving more than any other attribute, so performance-focused buyers may look to rivals or higher-performance variants if available.
Interior quality, noise and comfort
Cabin feel and technology
Inside, the Impreza aims for practicality, but some generations struggle to match the refinement and materials found in newer compact rivals. Noise and ride comfort are common talking points for potential buyers.
- Lower-trim materials can feel budget-oriented compared with class leaders, especially on touchpoints and trims with hard plastics.
- Road and wind noise can be noticeable at speed, detracting from a quiet highway experience.
- Rear-seat space is competitive but can feel cramped for tall passengers, and the sedan trunk may lag behind some rivals in total cargo space.
- Infotainment interfaces have improved over time, but some setups remain slower or less intuitive than newer systems.
For daily usability, the Impreza remains adequate, but buyers who value a premium feel or quiet cabin may find it less compelling than some rivals in this segment.
Practicality, space and everyday usability
How it carries people and cargo
The Impreza’s all-wheel-drive nature aids traction but can trade off interior packaging and cargo versatility against front-drive compact hatchbacks and sedans.
- Rear-seat legroom and headroom are generally adequate but not class-leading, particularly in the sedan. The hatch offers better cargo flexibility.
- Trunk space, while usable, is not the largest in its class, especially in the sedan version.
- Fuel economy is solid for an AWD compact, but AWD adds weight that can keep numbers from tying with front-drive rivals.
- Some competitors offer more aggressive styling or more engaging driving dynamics while still providing practicality.
These practicality trade-offs matter most to buyers who prioritize interior room, cargo capacity, or very low operating costs in a compact package.
Reliability, maintenance and ownership costs
Long-term ownership considerations
Maintenance and reliability perceptions around Subarus, including the Impreza, can influence ownership costs and peace of mind. While the brand has a reputation for durability, there are caveats to consider across model years.
- Older engine families in some generations experienced head-gasket or oil-consumption concerns; newer FA-series engines have improved reliability but still require regular maintenance.
- The CVT, while smooth in many conditions, can incur higher repair costs if it fails or requires major service, so timely fluid changes per recommended intervals are important.
- All-wheel-drive components add complexity and potential maintenance costs, particularly as the vehicle ages and miles accumulate.
- Resale value for Subarus tends to be solid, but depreciation varies by generation, mileage, and condition, so total cost of ownership can differ widely.
Prospective buyers should factor maintenance history, warranty coverage and the specific model year into their ownership cost expectations.
Summary
The Impreza excels as a practical, all-weather compact with standard AWD and a strong safety package in many trims. Its negatives—modest acceleration from the base powertrain, a noisy and sometimes trade-off interior, limited rear-seat and trunk space relative to some rivals, and potentially higher maintenance costs for the CVT and AWD system—are the main trade-offs to weigh. For buyers prioritizing daily usability, value, and year-round traction, the Impreza remains compelling; for those chasing sportier performance, premium interiors, or maximum cargo room, alternatives in the compact segment may offer more appeal.
In the end, the decision comes down to whether you value the Impreza’s core strengths—versatility, all-wheel drive, and safety features—enough to tolerate its quieter performance and interior compromises.
