2024 Subaru Impreza: Making Affordability Look Good

The 2024 Subaru Impreza debuted in L.A., and after wandering over to the brand's floor stand -- and nearly getting sick due to the psychedelic floors -- I gotta say, Subie's little inexpensive hatch looks good up close.

The on-paper specs look pretty good, too.

The sixth-gen car is five-door hatchback-only and has a 10-percent stiffer chassis, and offers a new RS performance trim. The RS has a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower, and it also has 18-inch wheels and exterior and interior aesthetics that are unique to the trim.

Subaru is making its Starlink infotainment system available in the Impreza for the first time, the EyeSight safety system is "improved", and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.

Subaru fans and/or those with long memories will note that the very first Impreza debuted in 1992 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

There are three trims -- base, Sport, and the aforementioned RS. All-wheel drive is standard across the board, as befits Subaru. The two lower trims have a 2.0-liter boxer four making 152 ponies and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the RS delivers 178 lb-ft of twist. No manuals here -- a CVT does the transmission duties, with Sport and RS models getting an 8-speed "manual mode" with paddle shifters. Yes, we're rolling our eyes, too.

The Impreza has long served as a base for the WRX, and the sportier sedan returns the favor, as the Impreza gets a version of the WRX's dual-pinion electronic power steering.

Sport and RS trims get the SI drive-management system and a sport suspension.

Subaru claims it has focused on making the cabin quieter and the seats more supportive.

The claimed improvements to EyeSight include the ability to work under a larger range of conditions, and Automatic Emergency Steering is included on models that have blind-spot detection with lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Updated software and an added electric brake booster are part of the updates, as well.

Other standard or available features include fog lamps, Bluetooth, a rear-view camera, satellite radio, LED lighting, heated front seats, Harmon Kardon audio, and a power moonroof.

[Images © 2022 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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