2026 Subaru Impreza Review, Specs, Performance – The all-new sixth-generation Impreza that Subaru is releasing for the 2026 model year comes with a number of new features, including updated exterior design, updated technology, a new powertrain choice, and the reintroduction of the rally-inspired RS trim level that was available in the late 1990s. The RS comes with a sharper external styling and a 2.5-liter flat-four engine that produces 182 horsepower. This is 30 horsepower more than the powertrain that comes standard in the base model, which is a 2.0-liter engine. As of the 2026 model year, Subaru has discontinued the manual transmission option and instead made the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) standard on all Imprezas. Additionally, the new Impreza will only be available with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it will be marketed just in a hatchback body shape with five doors; the sedan body format will no longer be available. A dual-pinion electronic power steering rack, similar to the one seen in the WRX performance variant, has been installed in the Impreza. The new electronic brake booster is responsible for the occurrence of stops. Recent modifications to the outside of the Impreza are reminiscent of the design language that can be observed on the most recent generation of both the WRX and the Crosstrek. After undergoing modifications to its interior design, it has become nearly comparable to the design of its more recent stablemates, notably the Crosstrek. This is the first time that the 11.6-inch touch display has been made available in the Impreza, and it comes standard on the Sport and RS performance trim levels. Additionally, the gasoline tank of the 2026 Impreza hatchback is increased to 16.6 gallons, which is an increase from the previous model’s 13.2 gallons.
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2026 Subaru Impreza Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The interiors of Subaru vehicles are recognized for being practical rather than fancy, and the 2026 Impreza maintains this history of utilitarian interior design. In addition to the 60/40 folding rear seats, dual-zone temperature controls are included as standard equipment across the whole model line. The manufacturer claims that it concentrated its efforts on a front-seat design that was more ergonomic and on muffling the noise in the interior. It was during our very first drive that we confirmed that the interior of the new Impreza does, in fact, appear to be quieter than the cabin of the fifth-generation model. The inside appears to be a natural continuation from the design of the generation that came before it, and we enjoyed the fact that the infotainment display was controlled by hard buttons rather than via touchscreens. On top of that, there is a handy plastic step located next to the rear seats that may be used to gain access to the roof and secure goods in vehicles that are equipped with roof rails. There is a massive load space of 56 cubic feet available in the hatchback when the rear seats are down. 2026 Subaru Impreza Review
Starlink, the multimedia system developed by Subaru, is included as standard equipment in the Sport and RS trim levels of the 2026 Subaru Impreza. In addition to being compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it comes with a touchscreen display of 11.6 inches that includes controls for the sound system, HVAC, and other functions of the car among other things. On the other hand, the average screen size for basic devices is seven inches. Additionally, Subaru provides its Safety and Security Connect Services to models that are equipped with Starlink. These services include SOS Emergency Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, in addition to other conveniences such as Remote Vehicle Locator. The 2017 Impreza comes equipped with an auxiliary input jack, a USB-C connector, and a USB-A port for its passengers, ensuring that you are able to use whatever smartphone you choose to use regardless of the specifications of your device. Moreover, there is a Harmon Kardon sound system that features ten speakers, but it is only available on the RS model, which is the most expensive of the available options.
2026 Subaru Impreza Specs
Engine & Performance
In both the basic and Sport trims, the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four engine that powers the Impreza is kept. This engine is capable of producing the same amount of horsepower and torque as it did in the previous generation. There is a bigger 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that is only available for the new RS model. This engine offers a power boost of 30 horsepower and 33 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a total output of 182 horses and 178 pound-feet of torque. In spite of the fact that it has more horsepower than the standard engine, the RS’s more powerful boxer engine makes us wish that Subaru had installed a turbocharger in it. The Subaru Impreza hit sixty miles per hour in 7.8 seconds during testing, which is 1.2 seconds faster than the previous generation, which was available with a 2.0-liter engine. 2026 Subaru Impreza Review
It is true that the Impreza is not the most peppy hatchback on the market today, but it does have a chassis that is deserving of a more powerful powerplant. Standard on every 2026 Impreza is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as well as torque vectoring, which enhances the already competent all-wheel-drive system that is standard. Subaru has designed the new Impreza with a version of the dual-pinion electronic power steering rack that is featured in the WRX. Additionally, the chassis has been strengthened by ten percent. This is done in order to provide an additional dash of rally-racing sportiness to the vehicle. The new power steering rack provides a lighter steering feel, and the new electronic brake booster provides a lighter brake pedal feel. Both of these improvements made the steering seem lighter. These modifications, when taken as a whole, have resulted in a ride that includes a minuscule degree of excitement.
2026 Subaru Impreza Fuel Economy
Although the 2026 Impreza has a larger petrol tank than the model that came before it, this is a positive development because it is also less fuel efficient than the model that came before it. The EPA predicts that the new Impreza achieves 27 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway, which is a decrease from the 2023 model’s 28 miles per gallon and 36 miles per gallon. The larger tank allows the base Impreza and Sport trims to go approximately 500 miles on a single tank of petrol, despite the fact that the fuel economy has decreased. An estimated 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway are achieved by the new RS trim. The EPA figure for the Impreza RS was exceeded by four miles per gallon when it was tested on our highway fuel-economy route at 75 miles per hour, which is a part of our rigorous testing process. 2026 Subaru Impreza Review
2026 Subaru Impreza Safety Features
Subaru has made its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology a standard feature for all three trim levels of the Impreza. This is in addition to the Safety and Security Connected Services that are available for cars that are equipped with Starlink. Those vehicles that come equipped with the optional blind-spot detection system come with automatic emergency steering. This system comes already packed with lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic warning, all of which are standard on the new RS model. Valet Mode, Trip Log and Driving Journal, and Remote Vehicle Configuration are five of the new services that Subaru is bringing to the 2026 Impreza. Other additional services include Remote Vehicle Configuration. Crash-test data for the next-generation Subaru Impreza have not yet been made available on the websites of either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 2026 Subaru Impreza Review
2026 Subaru Impreza Release Date & Price
It is possible to get a 2026 Subaru Impreza for as little as $24,115 or as much as $28,975 depending on the trim level and the extras that are purchased.
We were anxious to discover what the revived Impreza RS is capable of, and we wondered if it would be our preferred configuration. This was due to the fact that we have a natural tendency to choose fast automobiles, in addition to the power of nostalgia. While the bigger 2.5-liter engine is a nice upgrade over the original 2.0-liter engine, the chassis tuning makes it possible to drive with more enthusiasm on canyon roads. However, the engine is not quite as heart-pounding as the base 2.0-liter engine. Because the base model’s bargain price is in line with the fundamental objective of the Impreza, which is to provide customers with an affordable all-wheel-drive method of transportation, we strongly advise that you continue with the base model. 2026 Subaru Impreza Review
