2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S Review

For 2024, the Subaru Impreza enters the market with some major changes, headlined by a more spacious interior layout and key technology upgrades designed to make it more appealing to small car buyers.

With Subaru sticking by its trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system across the range, let’s take a look at how the range-topping Impreza 2.0S stacks up against rivals and asserts itself as a worthwhile upgrade over a pair of cheaper variants.

Subaru Impreza 2.0S Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

As tested, the Subaru Impreza 2.0S you’re looking at sits at the top of the range, priced at $37,990.

The base Subaru Impreza 2.0L is priced at $31,490 as a much more reasonable entry point into the Impreza range, while the mid-spec Impreza 2.0R is priced at $34,990.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Subaru Impreza 2.0S (AWD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Subaru Impreza Have?

Subaru’s entry-level Impreza 2.0L comes riding on 17-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control and a wireless smartphone charger.

Stepping up to the mid-range Impreza 2.0R adds 18-inch alloys as well as adaptive cornering headlights with LED fog lights, upgraded cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, eight-way, heated power-adjustable seats, aluminium pedals and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Our review car here, the range-topping Impreza 2.0S, picks up leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a ten-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, satellite navigation and a surround-view camera with front and side viewing angles.

Subaru Impreza 2.0S Connectivity & Infotainment Features

One of the biggest upgrades for the 2024 Impreza range is an overhaul of its technology suite, headlined by the addition of a large 11.6-inch, vertically-mounted infotainment display that sits boldly across the dashboard.

It’s a major upgrade over the previous unit and helps to make the Impreza’s cabin feel like a much more modern affair.

The unit is bright, fairly responsive and easy to navigate thanks to a prominent home button, proving itself a worthy upgrade over the previous unit that was a tad underwhelming.

The base Impreza picks up a six-speaker sound system while the range-topping Impreza 2.0S is packaged with a much more powerful ten-speaker sound system courtesy of Harman/Kardon.

Does the Subaru Impreza Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Another key upgrade for the MY24 Impreza range has been the addition of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity for every member of the range.

This will come as good news for price-conscious buyers who can pick up the large 11.6-inch display with the convenience of a wireless smartphone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto for iOS and Android users, without the need to step up to the flagship.

Once your phone is paired, Subaru’s infotainment system doesn’t skip a beat and responds quickly to user inputs via the display and voice commands.

Is the Subaru Impreza Comfortable to Drive?

The driving experience on offer in the latest Subaru Impreza is a bit of a mixed bag, though overall, it’s one of the most versatile small cars in the segment.

Our only real gripe sits with what’s lurking under the bonnet.

Subaru’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine produces 115kW of power and 196Nm of torque which, provides underwhelming acceleration and makes it far from the most dynamic in the pack.

On a daily drive, you’re unlikely to notice the lack of power - up until the point you need a quick boost up to speed for an overtake and the unit thrashes away and very conservatively gets you up there…eventually.

Power is thrown to all four wheels via Subaru’s typical symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and an elastic CVT automatic that can be a bit slow to respond, but remains smooth on the road.

Around town, the Impreza retains all the important selling points of a small car thanks to its lightweight steering that makes parking a simple task and fairly responsive handling around town.

Where the Impreza hits its stride is when you consider the fact it sits attractively as the only all-wheel-drive option in a segment overflowing with front-wheel-drive rivals.

This means Impreza demands attention, particularly from drivers living outside the silky-smooth streets of metropolitan capitals, with its four-paw traction and particularly adept suspension package proving itself a great companion for country drives.

In this respect, the Impreza does not disappoint and over our time frequenting rough road surfaces littered with potholes, the package held up particularly well and felt far more confident than a number of its key rivals.

As a driving package, the Impreza leaves a bit to be desired in terms of outright power but holds its ground as a versatile hatch when put to the driving test on rougher Aussie roads where it remains confident.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy figures are another area that the Impreza doesn’t lead the segment, with Subaru sticking by its familiar engine design that isn’t the most fuel-efficient unit.

Officially, the Subaru Impreza range is rated at 7.5L/100km on a combined cycle, putting it somewhere in the middle to lower third of the segment for outright efficiency.

Our time behind the wheel saw us average figures of 8.2L/100km, though, with a commute involving predominantly highway kilometres, we’re sure you can come close to, if not better Subaru’s official figures.

How Much Fuel Does the Subaru Impreza Use Around Town?

• Impreza City Fuel Consumption: 9.7L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Impreza Use on the Highway?

• Impreza Highway Fuel Consumption: 6.2L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While its overall footprint hasn’t changed dramatically, the latest Impreza’s space and practicality chops are a big improvement over its predecessor.

Overall, there’s a noticeable increase of interior space in the rear of the Impreza which makes it a far more family-friendly proposition than the previous model and puts it closer into line with its rivals.

The front of the cabin offers a decent amount of forward and side visibility, as well as great headroom for tall drivers thanks to the lofty roofline and fully adjustable, powered driver’s seat which is particularly comfortable on a long trip.

Opting for the 2.0S upgrades the cloth upholstery in favour of soft, leather upholstery which adds a nice, premium touch to the cabin, with the panoramic sunroof adding some light to the cabin when needed.

Overall, the front of the Impreza’s cabin isn’t the most attractive on the market, though things are user-friendly enough once you get acquainted with the layout and touchscreen-dominated inputs.

Thankfully, Subaru has retained physical buttons for the climate inputs, while the fan speed and direction controls remain in place at the bottom of the display.

In terms of storage options, there’s a decent amount of places to stash belongings and store a drink while you’re on the move.

The centre console offers storage inside the armrest, with a pair of cup holders, a non-slip tray doubling as a wireless smartphone charger hiding behind the gear lever, a glovebox and large bottle holders on either door sill.

Move to the rear and you’ll find a significant legroom premium over the outgoing Impreza.

No longer is legroom an issue for taller rear passengers, with decent headroom proving welcoming for adults sitting in the rear, too.

Amenities in the rear include air vents, USB-C & USB-A charging ports, large door bins and a folding armrest with cup holders, as well as ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts for a variety of child seats.

Overall, the Impreza has taken a major step in the right direction when it comes to space and practicality, particularly in the second row, making it a far more competitive option for families looking for an SUV alternative.

How Big is the Subaru Impreza’s Boot?

One of the ways that Subaru added to second-row comfort in the Impreza was made possible by reducing cargo space in the boot in favour of legroom for those sitting in the rear.

This means that with its 291L of boot space, there’s less cargo potential than the previous model - which offered 345L of boot space - which places the Impreza toward the bottom of the pack when it comes to outright cargo storage.

Having said that, the Impreza’s hatchback design is accommodating to taller items, sports gear and surfboards and remains reasonably practical.

Fold down the 60:40 split-fold rear seats and you’ll unlock a total of 883L of boot space when it’s time to lug around some seriously bulky cargo.

Is it Safe?

Safety equipment is one area that the Subaru Impreza range certainly does not disappoint - in fact, the base model is one of the most competitive small cars in the segment for sheer levels of active safety technology.

All members of the Impreza range pick up Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist package which includes autonomous emergency braking and steering, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle departure alerts and traffic sign recognition.

You’ll also pick up Subaru’s Vision Assist package which adds blind-spot monitoring, rear autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, front-side radar, rear parking sensors and Subaru’s EyeSight Assist Monitor.

Stepping up to the Impreza 2.0R adds automatic high-beam lights and a surround-view monitor with front and side views.

All things considered, the Impreza range boasts one of the most comprehensive lists of active safety tech which is made more impressive by the fact Subaru is happy to bundle this in with the base model.

What Warranty Does the Subaru Impreza Come With?

Subaru offers the Impreza with its five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Buyers also pick up a five-year/75,000-kilometre capped-price servicing package which totals $2,373 over the course of five services.

Service intervals for the MY24 Impreza range sit at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru Impreza 2.0S Worth it?

The MY24 Subaru Impreza is a unique offering in the small car segment that offers all-wheel drive stability and a mighty competent suspension package that makes it feel confident and capable, particularly on country roads.

The Impreza certainly doesn’t lead the pack when it comes to fuel efficiency or outright boot space, though its most recent iteration has seen some major improvements to interior space.

While it sits at the top of the range, we’d be more inclined to take a closer look at the entry-level Impreza 2.0L which makes for a more compelling value proposition, especially considering the safety and entertainment equipment bundled in.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help take the stress out of the buying process and find the best price.

Five Subaru Impreza Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Symmetrical all-wheel drive system as standard

3. 291L boot expands to 883L with rear seats folded

4. 7.5L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures

5. Untested by ANCAP