When did Subaru stop making Impreza manual?
The last Impreza offered with a manual transmission in major markets was the 2016 model year in the United States. From 2017 onward, Subaru sold the Impreza with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) only, while the WRX line continued to offer a manual option. This article breaks down what happened and what it means for buyers today.
Timeline: manual availability in the US (by generation)
Here's a concise timeline showing when the manual option appeared and when it disappeared in the US market.
- Up through the 2016 model year: Impreza offered a 5‑speed manual transmission on certain trim levels alongside the CVT.
- Model year 2017: Subaru shifted the Impreza to CVT-only in the US; the manual option was dropped.
- Present generations: Impreza is sold with CVT in the US, while the WRX/WRX STI continue to offer manual transmissions as a separate performance lineup.
Conclusion: The Impreza’s manual transmission effectively ended with the 2016 model year in the US, and since 2017 the model has been CVT-only in most markets.
Global status and market caveats
This section explains how the manual option has varied outside the United States and what buyers can expect today.
- Most major markets have also leaned toward CVT-only for the Impreza in recent generations, with manual gearboxes rarely offered outside the WRX variants.
- Some regional inventories may have included older Impreza models with manuals while new production shifted to CVT, but such cases are uncommon and short-lived.
- Subaru continues to offer manual transmissions on the WRX and WRX STI, which share platforms with the Impreza but are marketed separately as performance models.
Bottom line: Across contemporary markets, the Impreza is generally CVT-only, while manual transmissions remain reserved for the WRX family.
Why the shift happened
Automaker notes point to improving fuel economy, manufacturing efficiency, and evolving buyer preferences as drivers behind moving mainstream models like the Impreza away from manuals. Subaru emphasizes the CVT’s ability to deliver smooth performance and all-wheel drive integration across its lineup.
What this means for buyers today
If you’re shopping for a current Subaru Impreza, expect a CVT transmission. If a manual is essential, your options are limited to the WRX/WRX STI lineup, which retains a manual gearbox on several recent generations. Used-car listings may still reveal some 2016–2017 Impreza manuals in limited supply, but new production no longer offers a manual choice.
Summary
Subaru stopped offering a manual transmission on the Impreza after the 2016 model year in the US, with 2017 models onward sold as CVT-only in most markets. Enthusiasts seeking a manual Subaru should consider the WRX/WRX STI, not the Impreza, while general buyers will find the Impreza today available solely with a CVT.
