2023 Subaru Impreza Sport 5-Speed Manual / Nothing But Respect 

Thank you for focusing on affordable cars. It's frustrating seeing other channels fall in love with $100-300k cars.

I will cherish my 6 speed crosstrek until the wheels fall off.

I just bought a 23 manual Impreza sport. The short-throw shifter makes a compact car feel like much more fun than the (imo) clunkier 6 speed manual on the Crosstrek. So far, I like it, it's a good replacement for my beloved 2002 Volvo V70 (RIP).

It's unfortunate that in North America and now also in Europe the buying market has shunned the manual gearbox. The most common complaint/reason for its decline iss because of bumper to bumper traffic driving. I thinks it's a matter of training and good clutch pedal engagement point. For about the last year I've daily driven my Miata... no issues.

Thank you for doing this video about a car a very few cares about.

I own a 2018 base 5 door with a manual. My previous car was a 1994 toyota pickup. I loved that truck and was sad to see it move on to a new owner. However, the Impreza gives me a lot of that old school analog feel without any of the old school drawbacks. Compared to the 100~ hp in pickup, this car feels like an F1 to me. I love my Subie and will keep it until I no longer can. In a world with fewer and fewer manual options, this car is a gem.

The RS with the manual would be awesome!

I really like your style; these reviews are fun to watch and very informative. Keep it up! Sadly you are right about Subaru losing some identity. If they made the RS with a manual and a bit more power I bet many more people would be interested, myself included.

You described me perfectly. I have a 2023 Impreza manual. I'm not addicted to speed. I'm not pushing the car's limits. I do like the fun of the manual transmission in a smooth, AWD car like my Impreza though, and the gas mileage of course.

I really wish cars like the Crosstrek had upper trims that you could option with a manual.

I started driving with a bare-bones 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 hatchbook with manual everything. I loved that car for its honesty, simplicity, and fun low limits. This is a more modern iteration of the same idea.

In Canada, the Sport package for this car hits the sweet spot (LEDs, sunroof, 17s). Manual transmits the feel of machinery operating to every commute. It's a winter car, absolutely comes alive in the cold!

Subaru gave up their quirkiness to be more mainstream, and it shows in their vehicle lineup.

Had a 2012 manual it was good. My 2017 forester manual is great, so I'm sad to see their simple choices no longer offered in manual.

I have a 2008 5mt Impreza 2.5 sedan. I bought it with 137000 miles on it ..put a few grand into it getting it in normal condition and it is an excellent car

Finally, a drivers car, without all the extra crap, I literally can't stand in all these newer vehicles? I'm an old fart at 50, love my bare bones 04" Focus 2.3 manual. No power anything, just the way I like it, no window and power door lock stuff to go bad? Simple, but sweet?

Spot on review! I own the manual 2020 sport and your thoughts pretty much mirror mine. Daily driving this car is an absolute pleasure.

The interior on this is so much nicer than the new Subaru interiors. Subaru took a huge step back in interior design for 2024

Great thorough review, thank you.

Subaru really dropped the ball in 2017 when this re-design was introduced by not coming out with a turbo charged RS trim. Back in 2002, the 2.5 Impreza made 165 HP, the WRX made 227. Today, the Impreza makes 152 while the WRX makes over 260. That was a perfect opportunity to fill that gap with a baby WRX hatchback.

I have 180k on my base cvt 17 Impreza and it is the best car I've ever owned

I want to want this car. It looks good. It’s simple. It’s probably getting axed because it’s not selling. It’s not selling because it’s not getting proper treatment. The cycle continues…..

i like videos that actually test drive base models and not just top trim like everyone else does 😂 👍

That hornet edit killed me! I'm wondering who this car is made for? It doesn't seem to appeal to the common commuter, nor the performance enthusiast...great video as always!

Wish it came with the 6 speed manual, that was in the Crosstrek

I have a 2012 Impreza. I put a $200 Kartboy short throw plus bushings kit. Took 1.5 hours. It transforms the gearbox from a bowl of pudding to a tight, engaging, fun to row experience.

This car is a gem! I want one for myself and little brother.

Tyler’s fear of the hornet cracked me up! 😂

The little soo-bar-oooo. Wow

I believe in 2017 and 2018 you could get a sport with Harmon kardon sound system and sunroof with a manual. Stinks they only offered it then. Was a nice little package

I'm glad you covered this. I've played with Subaru vehicle configurator with this exact car so many times to keep miles off my 06 STI, but never got around actually buying it because of the 5 speed. Would have been nice if they fitted the six speed from Crosstrek (which is also losing manual this year). When I first saw 2024 Impreza RS reveal, I was delighted to find a semi-attractive looking hatch that (arguably) looks better than current WRX. It has 182HP 2.5L so it is a bit more peppy, BUT then they dropped the manual, which is a killer for me. Would have been a nice low/mid-7 second car with a manual, which is very sufficient for everyday little fun use.

the manual Honda Civic Hatchback gives you way more luxury for your money, the manual Toyota Corolla Hatchback will last for the next 20-30years, the manual Mazda3 Hatchback has style, but only the manual Subaru Impreza Hatchback has AWD the Honda Civic Si sedan and Volkswagon Golf GTi start looking like value options in comparison because you start getting much better engine options with 200+ hp

Every time he states a con I shake my head and think these are all pros and reason I would buy one. No over priced crap? No camera , no radar cruise, no eye sight. AWD hatch manual, no fancy fuel. Bet that thing can haul ass in winter. I'd be happy to have that soft suspension in -40 when damper oil goes rock hard

I have this car and I love it BUT I hate 1st to 2nd gear, very oddly dissimilar ratios. Also it's so slow that twice now I've tried to jam it into 6th (Reverse 😬) when accelerating on the highway. 124km/hr at like 3500 rpm feels like it really autta have that 6th gear. Having a 6 speed before this is an odd learning curve 😅

Really wish they gave this or Crosstrek a WRX engine.

My 2019 Impreza sport has a few more upgrades that they got rid for 2023 which is Interesting.

Screw these car companies that are getting rid of the manual transmission.

Genuine question: Did Subaru stop offering blind spot detection and or cross traffic alerts on the 2023? My 2018 Sport 5MT has both of those things, as well as a moonroof. I do know that the moonroof was unavailable with the 5-speed in 2019, so it wouldn't surprise me if other features dropped off as well.

Nice review of a car with which I was not familiar, which leads to the question, how many more stripped down cars are being manufactured today without all that annoying computer crap interfering with the driving experience? Perhaps you could do a video on that if any others exist. Cheers~

I have the manual and have noticed "One" important, annoyance?... The rear view mirror placement is very low due to Subaru not realizing that they could move the mirror higher being that you are missing the "Eye Sight" system which normally requires lower mirror placement.....😃👍

It's all we need in short. Somebody will sleeper build that thing.

I got a 2014 6 speed forester, suprised they never offered that 6 speed on the impreza. or the 2.5L From the forester

Subaru didn't add features to the manual because they are purposely pushing people towards the cvt and eyesight combo. And for someone who daily drives a lifted 17 forester with a 6 speed, I don't want anything to do with a cvt or eyesight. I like my basic utilitarian subarus of the past. The vehicle stability control makes me very angry anytime I'm off roading and trying to climb a steep hill with rocks, ruts, and other things that promote wheelspin. The vsc and manual don't play very well. Sure some little ad ons are nice here and there. Like my 02 legacy gt. It's fully loaded with a 5 speed manual. Wish you could still have the ability to go from super base to fully loaded with a manual car these days.

I would actually consider the Impreza if it had the 5 speed and the 2.5 like my old 07

Thanks for the great review. So sad that Subaru doesn't want us to have nice things. 'Sport' just sounds like false advertising here.

It sucks. I was looking to get a manual Impreza or Crosstrek by year end. Now Subaru decided to remove the manual all together. And I will NOT get a CVT. So Subaru, thanks for helping me save thousands. I will keep my present car, paid for, dirt cheap to run and maintain, and save $500 a month in payments. Cheers

People who are looking for the manuals tend to enjoy the driving experience and are typically engaged a bit more than the average driver. I understand why the car doesn’t have lane assist or any of that other shit. I hate the heavy integration of tech in vehicles to be honest.

would be pretty sweet it this car is the segue to a new STi

Cool Video Tyler, the whole thing about Subaru is that AWD so this Impreza makes no sense for me, mother has 4th gen impreza tho

I had a 2017 manual...it was too loud in the cabin. Traded it in got a 2017 wrx never looked back

i have this car, driver seat uncomfortable. maybe im too tall, need to switch it out. ne reccomendations?

Yo do the 11th gen civic si next!

got the 2022 base sedan last year and so far it's been every thing i needed. the worst things for me have been fuel economy and especially the awful 4 speaker sound system

Looks just like my 2018 lol

how can i buy one? i live in the San Fran,ca, bay area, all i see at the dealers is automatics

It really SUCKS when governments force automobile manufacturers to get rid of the manual transmissions. I say over throw our government and start over with leadership that works for the people and not against them

the difference between Japanese and European Sport cars are huge 😂, thanks for the review.

Also too bad is that they're getting rid of a lot of real buttons. This leaves BRZ and Forester as the last Subies with a good interior.

The only thing it needs to be perfect is the 2.5 …..bring on the 2024 6:03

Your view of it would be a lot better if you just finished 15 years driving a 1.8, 5 speed Dodge Caliber like I did LOL.

manual sales have actually gone up in the last few years, seems like abandoning that third pedal would be a mistake. well the cars that still have them will catch those buyers. Civics and... I'm lost actually. I know it's gone in the Corolla lol. not talking about WRX, GR or Type R

Most of those safety and convenience packages won't work with a manual transmission. You can't have auto breaking with a car that can be thrown out of gear without downshifting.

I wouldn’t say that cars are improving, whatsoever

I agree that Subaru is losing its unique character nowadays. Now that both Honda and Mazda are improving both exterior and interior, the entire Subaru lineup looks relatively less attractive.

Subaru needs to bring back manual transmission cars. This is ridiculous. The CVT is total trash.

Dominat

I would have literally built and bought an Impreza today if the manual option was still available, these companies need to realize the cvt is shit

Jordan Shors❤ hood (;

Well, the Spamming Commentor ain't wrong.. 🧐🤔😁😅🤣

Slap a turbo in it and problem solved✌️

Who cares about all that unnecessary tech, all u need is a manual

Frustrating when they have the parts to make this a better car but just won’t build it.

people needing to learn how to drive is the truth. with "aids" or not, the driver should be alert and able enough to drive safely. when the aids fail (and they can), they are going to fail too. save your unimportant scrolling and conversations for when you arent doing something important... like operating a vehicle. not reading replies. thank you.

it's not good to rev pass 4k rpm for a brand new car.