If I had to describe the mission Subaru set off with when working on the 2024 Impreza it would be “Refinement”
From the outside, or inside too really, there would not be too much for the average consumer to distinguish this model from the one it replaces. It is not a drastic departure in form. It is not a whole new look for Susie’s small car. It is a tasteful next generation of what has been working for the automaker for years. And that is not a bad thing.
What's new? This RS trim, for starters. Using Subaru’s 2.5L BOXER® engine paired to their Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Power is rated at 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers don’t exactly scream “Rally Sport” especially in a brand with such a strong rally history, but for daily commuting with a sporty flair, the RS will do. The RS gets dark grey wheels, red interior accents, and large RS badges on the front doors and hatch.
Also new for 2024 is the 11.6-inch version of Subaru’s STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, a first on Impreza. It is a vertically-oriented screen that does everything from media controls to climate, but Subaru does still offer physical controls for volume, tuning, and temperature for the climate controls. It also includes wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™, another Impreza first.
When it comes to the ride and drivability, Subaru has improved chassis stiffness by 10% over the previous model which translates to a better ride and improved performance. We did not push ours in the few short minutes we had driving it, but over the battered midwestern pavement, it proved to be just as comfortable as anything else in its price class. Impreza also borrows the dual-pinion electronic power steering rack from WRX, which we have also driven and enjoyed.
Subaru is known for their safety and have incorporated their latest EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology as standard across the model line. Automatic Emergency Steering is now included on models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Again, this really was more of a speed date than anything else, allowing me time behind the wheel while also comparing it to some of its rivals in an environment I would not be able to duplicate back home in Texas. If you want to see us do a full test of this after a week of living with it, leave a comment below and we will share that with Subaru to hopefully get one in our garage so we can do our usual battery of tests.
As for this speed date of the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, I am interested in learning more.
2024 Subaru Impreza RS Specs:
2.5L BOXER® 4-cylinder Engine
182 Horsepower
178 lb-ft of Torque
Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Active Torque Vectoring
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
Seating for 5
Heated Front Seats
Cloth Seating Surfaces with Red Accents
10-way Power Driver’s Seat with 2-way Lumbar
18-inch Dark Gray Alloy Wheels
225/40 R18 Yokohama Avid Tires
19.9 Cubic Feet of Storage Space Behind the Rear Seats
54.7 Cubic Feet of Storage Space with the Rear Seats Folded
11.6-inch Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Audio System with 432-watt Equivalent Amp
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Vision Camera
Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
Proximity Key with Push Button Start
EPA Fuel Economy 26/33/29 (city/hwy/cmb)
Starting MSRP $27,885 (RS)
Price as tested: $31,045
