I'm glad this thing still has a physical key. I'm not a fan of where a lot of things in the automotive industry are going these days in terms of styling, but this Impreza's clean panels and straightforward amenities are appreciable to say the least.
Comparing this to the Honda Civic you recently tested, it is a nice option. I’m glad they give you the 6 inch touch screen for the base model unlike Honda
Two weeks ago I purchased a 2020 base Impreza (with a manual transmission) - this is the perfect car for our winters in Canada. BTW, Subaru's AWD is full time which is far better than their competitors' so called "intelligent" Haldex part-time systems. Two small differences though: the outside mirrors are white like the rest of the car, and the speed & tachometer needles are red
Hey just saw your post, I have an manual Impreza hatchback sport and I just installed an Thornton performance chip and it definitely is peppier, worth the purchase.
Man if you are looking for a cheap a-b car that you need good space with, this car wins. It's refreshing that subaru is still trying to make some inexpensive versions of their cars to compensate for most people not being able to afford all the other sedans and suvs over 30k. By afford i mean, having the cash to buy it and not making payments. Still wish we could get a full sized hatchback or low riding wagon for 25k.
MINES A 2018 WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS FROM MANUAL TO AUTO IMPRESA WHITE LOVE THAT FEATURE STICK SHIFTS OK BUT TOO PRICY TO FIX IF CLUTCH BURNS OUT -CANT DRIVE THE CAR .IT WAS A DEMO MODEL WITH 225 MILES ON IT IM AT 15K NOW
I currently have a 2011 Honda Accord coupe but I just don’t rly like it. Was considering a wrx but it’s a bit out of my budget and it uses premium. Is the Impreza still sporty and can be rly fun to drive?
Raiti, for your and your fans info... I just leased a 2020 Impreza Sport (spory red striped interior and 18" yokohamas) manual transmission. 36 months x $316 per month. 12k miles per year. $316 down. not a bad lease. done here at Austin Subaru. Car is amazing for the money!
I got a 2015 Base model..... I honestly love it. No heated seats, no power adjustable seats.... but guess what... EVERYTHING WORKS. Absolutely ZERO problems so far @ 90km. I honestly feel like this car will last forever. Also many complain about the car being slow/sluggish, but if you’re a relaxed driver, it doesn’t make a damn difference in my life.... also kids won’t race in it bc of that LOL
Subaru should drop the 5 speed manual completely and adapt the same 6 speed manual used in the crosstrek. 6th gear for overdrive would bring the mpg up on the manual Impreza.
That engine doesn't have the power, power band and weight to get good gas mileage. It blows my mind that Subaru is always going back in time. My Impreza is 21 years old and gets 26 highway with a 5 speed and a/c on. It also has more hp and tq at lower rpm's while being under 3000 pounds.
I own a 19 WRX and brought it to the dealer for service. They gave me a fully loaded 19 Impreza sport for a loaner and I'm really starting to like it a lot. The only issue is that it's just way too slow. I know it's the more practical daily but the car costs like 27k and it only has 152 horsepower which is pathetic, lol.
My Mazda3 has 151 or 152 horsepower (PZEV version from 2007) yet it feels faster. I think it just has more torque available at lower RPM to make it feel more punchy.
Thanks for another great review guys. Nice to see a base model review. Solid car for those who are smart enough to leave their ego at home when they go to a dealership.
Awesome intro as usual, Great Changes here, super reliability, however I truly believe that no matter what level of vehicle, they all should give Fog Lights. They are of great help in many types of weather. Snow, rain, black ice, etc. ,,,a great feature for all Seasons in the entire USA. This goes for all Auto Maker's. Other than my opinion,, High 5, and 2 Thumbs up right here.
Just sat in a '20 base on ef these. Pretty impressed for price. Easy ingress/egresss. Seating postiion felt good and I think the seat felt better than my current daily drivier, '16 Outback.
Damn who gave a dislike already the video hasn't been up for 5 minutes smdh. Keep up the good work. I love cars and your the only one that talks about the history of every car company which alot of people dont know about.
About the hub caps, I own a 2015 impreza base, got it as my first car, and the hub caps were a life saver while learning how to park, only costs like $40 to replace instead of like $200 per wheel.
That engine noise is what ppl pay to hear in a Subaru. That popping rumble. I love my 2019 Impreza Touring. It is silent on the road, quick not sluggish and the manual paddle shifters are good. Actually holds gears. And in snow it is perfect. Just too few bottle holders and useable storeage space.
Great review! Some of us can afford the bells and whistles but have matured and know we do not need them. Seems the Impreza gives you what you need in abundance. I am very impressed with AWD and Eyesight safety at this price point. I would save another grand and drive the stick for fun.
I really like the refreshed tail lights. The rear lighting was the main thing I wasn't in love with on the 2017-2019 Impreza and the new gen Crosstrek, but now with it looking bit more aggressive and darkened I think it looks a little more bold without being too try-hard. Really enjoy the refresh!
In the smaller pod above the infotainment you can customize the display to show you all sorts of information like fuel consumption, throttle pressure, and much more. It's good because despite having screens, many manufacturers don't let you customize the displays
Still have my 2020 Subaru Impreza hatch but once I got it (I was first owner) I had electrical radio issues and now I’m dealing with a faulty automatic window issue. My rpm’s also run incredibly high every day, hot and cold out.. not sure if it’s a normal thing as I don’t know nothing about cars but the high rpm’s is annoying. This is my first car it’s very roomy inside and the safety features are awesome, it’s pretty affordable too, doesn’t have much trunk space but the base comes with a cargo net, it’s also really really good on gas if you’re not a big driver like me.
I currently own a 2016 Impreza in the Limited trim and, for what it is, is a fantastic vehicle. Traction control remains on above 25 mph unless all 4 wheels lose grip which is okay if you're not into more spirited driving. It's been pretty rainy here in the Bay Area the past few days and I've learned that it'll definitely kick the rear out without the traction light coming on if you push the car hard enough with wet roads and have a sharp enough turn and this makes me think that it may very well be at home on snow, gravel and dirt. I have a set of Goodyear Eagle Sport all-seasons on it which I've observed to be the best possible tire if you want decent semi-sporty handling while still maintaining good fuel economy. I only have two main gripes about it.. There's a shit ton of cabin noise and interior rattling. If I were to price a brand new 2020 Impreza similarly to my current one, it would be just over 28k. There shouldn't be any major rattles or as much cabin noise as there is at that price point. That being said, it was a fantastic first car and I don't think I could have gotten a better deal when it comes to first cars. It's taken every beating that's been thrown at it and has kept kicking. Is it a driving enthusiast's car? No, not by any means. Is it one of the best do-it-all econoboxes for the price point? Absolutely
I have a 2015 Subaru sport wagon-no rattles at all a tiny bit of wind noise but listening to music you don’t notice-traction control is always on unless you press the button to left of the steering to turn it off but that should only be turned off if you are stuck in snow or mud so you can get out-but if you turn the traction off and when you turn off your car the next time you start your car it automatically will be on and should always be on-I take comers at 65 miles per hour and it’s glued to the road and in 4 years of driving it’s never gone off by itself no matter how I drive All I’ve done engine wise is a K/N air filter Borla exhaust Performance chip Removed charcoal filter in air box restricts air-gone = faster acceleration My car is super fast compared to stock
Currently have a Legacy.. This could be my next car (also thinking about HR-V, corolla hatch). Miss my Matrix Hatch (had that faster engine -- was a very fun car)..
MINES A 2018 BASE WITH WHITE IMPRESA ALL CLOTH SOME LEATHER HATE THE LEATHER SEATS THEY CRACK AND SPLIT AND STICK TO YOUR SKIN WHEN IN HOT WEATHER AWFULL
cargo space and head/legroom is identical to the crosstrek; also pretty close to the civic hatchback for a lot cheaper! I was quoted civic sport hatch for 25 and Impreza for 20. I think the Impreza hatch would do well in a lineup for people considering hatches and crossovers. This car is very economical for people who don’t drive a ton and live with snow and ice
We purchased a 2018 base Impreza. Only complaint, is it does not have enough power. I wish Subaru would trash the 2.0 and put in the 2.5. 30 more horses would solve the problem. Other than that, it's a great car.
I drive a 2018 Impreza Sport with CVT. It performed great in the snow. I did have a problem with the Harman Kardon car infotainment system. The Gerald Subaru Service Department took great care of me.
I have a 10 year old Subaru Forrester. Since we moved to Florida, I don't have to worry about driving in snow and ice. Thinking of the Impreza when I do the trade in. I'm worried though that the Impreza sits lower than the Forrester since we do have flooding when we have the hard rains.
One thing I must say to prospective Impreza buyers is that you will NOT get the mpg’s as stated. I have a 2019 limited Impreza and my average between highway and city is 22.9 mpg which is much lower than advertised. I know a lot of other drivers on the Impreza 5 forums that are also not getting advertised mpg and I think that’s a big slight to Subaru. I drive this car like a baby and it should be straight forward. Otherwise great car! The upgraded Harmon Kardon speaker sounds a little trash because of the DSP that’s under the passenger seat so definitely test it at high volumes to see what I’m talking about. The seats could have much more thigh support for taller drivers and dual zone climate would be better than what’s available currently available. Also, the engine size is pitiful and it should at least come stock with a 2.5 liter or more. If I could do it again, I would spring a little more money for the WRX because the Impreza is just too slow to be any fun.
Awesome review as always. I own a 2010 hatch with manual and the 2020 looks just like an upgraded version with the lights. As you haven’t mentioned Joe does the 2020 come with heated seats and slow/fast gears on the base trim? As mine has the premium trim for 2010 that includes those and foglights, but I do miss the isight and other assists that come with the new hatch. As mentioned awesome starter AWD and if you are in EU like me, LPG is a great option. I get 100 km for 5 usd or 62 miles for 5 usd, while on petrol I get around 24 MPG.
@@gustavopaulette3496 Well I was curious as this features in 2010 were for Limited and Raiti has not mentioned any of them. And I think heated seats and slow/fast gears are must have for even basic 2020 😀
Excellent review of the base model. I don’t really want leather and all that. Only thing I wish was available is a sunroof other than that it’s perfect. Well. I do like the base WRX.
Im going to buy the base with a manual. I have to build my credit and this will be my first new car. Im going to take care of it and i know it will last decades.
I was looking at the Imprezza hatchbacks before I ended up buying my 2018 Mazda 3. I liked them both but the Mazda ended up winning due to the non-CVT automatic, a step up in quality, 'huskier' powertrain and driving feedback. Make no mistake though Subarus are fine vehicles in my opinion. You don't see too many in the south, especially Florida but when you head out west and to the north, they are over the place due to the standard AWD. I'd probably consider one as a second vehicle in the future.
@@RaitisRides I do wonder, if it's easier to get a good deal on a Subaru in southern states, or do they end up being more expensive, or similarly priced based on smaller sales volume versus "snow belt" states. (FWIW, I've always enjoyed driving Mazda 3s, but their cargo capacity is dismal in comparison to similarly sized and priced vehicles from other manufacturers. I was kind of bummed when I realized that I couldn't easily fit my gear/family into most Mazda's because they do handle so well.)
I’m thinking about getting this car. I just have one question. Manual or CVT? I’ve not drove manual that much but it is fun and I kinda know how to use it. Should I get a manual or CVT?
Unequivocally it is the best value in an awd compact. The most appealing imo though is the Mazda 3. The Subaru can't compete with the interior design, and quality of materials of the Mazda 3 and Mazda doesn't limit their powertrain with a cvt.
im personally not a huge fan of the mazda interior, subaru awd is miles better, but i agree with you on the cvt(though honestly it's not that bad). they do have the 5 speed for a reason though.
@@TheLwaller09 Keep telling yourself that. My 2009 Mazda 6 has been flawless, except for a few recalls and Takata airbag replacement. The newest Mazdas after Mazda separated from Ford are even better. They are currently ranked 2nd out of all auto manufacturers, according to Consumer Reports.
Would you still get a long life and great longevity , I am concerned about the CVT .Mazda uses a chain drive instead of belt driven CVT. I do not understand the cvt push. BIG ZONK for me. I have a chance to get one of these for about 17k with 8k miles on it. Is it worth it ?
I've always liked Suburus I thought they were putting a stop to the hatch in the impreza and legacy. Looks ok for the price I always consider Subaru while car shopping. On a side note do they carry Golden Flake chips where your located Joe? I own a chip route and need to steer you away from Lays and Fritos and Doritos lol
Just gonna be honest, without you Mr. Raiti and my man's Doug I wouldn't even watch these reviews. It'd be awesome for you 2 to do a collabe on some rare reviews. Cars people don't think of
I wish more folks would buy the manual transmission Subaru Impreza Hatchback and Honda Civic Hatchback instead of CUV/SUV’s. This is simple affordable transportation with great safety features.
I have to zonk Eyesight not being available on the Sport manual transmission trim. Other than that, I really like the car. As always, another great review, Joe.
First time car buyer here. What's wrong with CVT? When you say that it takes away from the driving experience, how does it do that? Also, what is the Eyesight feature, and is it useful?
@Steve Jones really the fuel economy difference is barely 1 mpg. CVTs are only more fuel efficient in theory, if the band shifts position while the engine stays at 2-2.5 K RPM. In reality, manufacturers add in shift points because people would not like to see acceleration where the engine is not changing RPM
I just got the base model. I think I would’ve liked the next trim up. I don’t have blinker lights on the side mirrors and they’re not power to close, I have to manually push them in. Also not loving radio. No SAT, just AM, FM and Apple CarPlay but still figuring it all out. I have Siriusxm subscription and I have to plug in my iPhone to use it and can’t change stations through steering wheel. My other car had SAT Radio which I loved. I like t just get in and go. Not a fan of plugging in my iPhone. Again, I’m still figuring it out, so maybe I’m not fully aware of how it works. It is an extremely comfortable fit and visibility is great. I love the extra glass triangle by the side mirrors too. Great review! Any more tricks or tips let me know! Thanks!
What would you or anyone reading this recommended cleaning the dashboard with? I have the new Subaru 2020 5 door and I don’t want to use anything that’s going to damage the dash or surrounding interior. Help!
Just use some dish soap diluted with water. Use wash rag to apply and another ray with 100 precent water to wipe off. Use micro fiber cloth to dry. You can use distilled water if tap has to much minerals in it. Make sure not to scrub hard or use abrasive tools on plastic or metal trim. Toothbrush works best.
"CVT not the best transmission to choose".....that depends on what you want the car to do. For myself, I don't care one bit about drag racing launches. I want good mileage and effortless driving....I'll take the CVT any day.
Subaru always does this, eyesight standard !!, Before eyesight was only available on the sport pack and above. It's nice, but it only means alot of people pay extra for something that is now standard
That’s what I’m saying! Subaru added eyesight and fog lights to my 2019 base Impreza when I ordered it. That’s all it was missing + limo tint with the magnetite gray paint. It was the most cost effective way to get an AWD with eyesight. 20k+taxes/fees/addedbullshit
Only good in a manual transmission. Read some reviews saying the CVT doesn’t last. Also, not sure if the oil consumption problem has been fixed for Subaru line. Sweet car, but all those things are deal breakers.
