To be fair, 30k, with a decent interest rate and only financing for 5 years is still over 500 a month. That's a big ask for someone making less than 70k a year, which is...a lot of folks.
Thanks for taking the time to review cars that normal people can actually buy. Almost shocked that you can still get a car in the 20's in the crazed era of 60-70k SUVs
Not saying 60-70k isn't the average but it's really crazy to me how many offerings exist in the market from 80, 90, 100, even 110k for new models that were once the average family soccer / school commuter.
I totally agree. Although the average price paid for a new car is nearly $50k, there are a LOT of people who can't responsibly buy a vehicle for $50k or $40k. That Subaru is making a safe, reliable, practical vehicle here that's even pretty fun to drive for less than $30k is fantastic.
My brother has one of these. It’s almost a perfect daily driver for a non-enthusiast, very normal, midwesterner. Really good a-b machine that doesn’t make you feel like you’re selling out to the modern day c/suv phenomenon.
This is what most people should get in regions where snows a lot, the CVT is NOT the end of the world for the average driver. I’m glad you guys did a great job showing objectively what this car really is.
Correct. The Subaru CVT is pretty good. But, nowadays, people love to have something to bitch about or hate, so, CVTs are an easy target, especially for the stupid commenters.
agree. Subaru needs to ditch the 4-door sedan and put everything on this chassis (one body shell for 4-5 cars) -- all hatchbacks from base Impreza, to RS, to Crosstrek, to WRX, to STi (when it returns). All cars would share 70-80% of the same bits. Change, engine/transmission/suspension/exhaust/interior bits as needed per vehicle and the car pays for itself and all of its versions because they all use the same body shell/doors/and rear seats.
Its unbelievable that Subaru hasnt facelifted the current WRX yet, its actually offensively ugly. As someone who owned a last-gen STI and a GD generation WRX wagon, no amount of convincing would get me to walk into a Subaru dealer to look at the current WRX
Considering a WRX is around 35k msrp for the premium, it's a far better value. They are heavily discounted now too. They really should make a WRX hatch but I'm guessing they sold far less hatches in the past so they had to ditch it. I rarely see them on the street. It's kind of a unicorn because I see the sedan version all the time.
I'm using a base model with the upgraded wheels as a pizza delivery car and couldn't be happier! I was going to go with a RAV4, but the dang things are too expensive to use as a pizza delivery car in my opinion. I test drove a 2017 RAV4 with 110,000 miles on it and it was nice, but it's still a 7 year old vehicle with over a hundred thousands miles on it for $20,000. For the same price of 20,000, I was able to get a 2024 Subaru Impreza base model with the better wheels with only 70 miles on it. It's not a race car, but it's plenty quick for regular driving. It merges into traffic well, and handles corners better than most cars. I'm looking forward to taking it out in the snow here in a few months! You're not going to find a better car for roughly $300 a month.
Gotta give props to Subaru for keeping car prices reasonable when other manufacturers are ballooning prices to insane levels! We as consumers need to respond by not buying 80k+ vehicles, paying over $700 per month for 10 years to afford them!
A lot of Americans are seemingly oblivious to debt. You can't imagine how many nice, brand new, high spec cars I see parked in front of clapped out townhouses on a daily basis. It's clear what their priorities are.
This basically. Water heater is dying HVAC is barely function, ducts are clogged and the fence and deck are falling apart, but no worries the gmc acadia denali is on the drive way. @theglowcloud2215
Been waiting for this one. I bought a 2024 sport in July for a daily commuter. I live in southeast Ohio. I drive 45 mins to work and it’s all backroads that are subject to inclement weather and ridiculous hills. I couldn’t be more satisfied with a car purchase. I still have the showroom tires on it and no matter what conditions you drive in, this thing just goes. For my situation, this scores a 10/10 for me so far.
@@ltwig476No way, because those transmissions all fail before 100k miles. Some of them before 50k miles. If you have an Impreza and you drive it super super softly; you might get a bit over 100k out of the transmission but basically they are all failing.
3:39 Slight correction. The VB is the current generation WRX chassis. This, the sixth generation Impreza is the GU chassis. Obviously they share a ton of DNA, but the VIN is still different as are other aspects.
Great video. I was fortunate enough to have ordered a manual Crosstrek when they were finishing up production of the 2nd gen cars. The biggest highlight of the modern Subaru platform is the AWD drivetrain. Superficially icy and slushy roads aside, the Crosstrek’s snow and trail performance rivals that of even some semi-modern Jeeps with a more traditional 4WD setup. The Crosstrek/Impreza AWD system delivers in challenging conditions. The marketing surrounding these cars downplays the system, but owners know.
Love hearing your guys takes on cars. I watch every single video, even cars I don’t even care about. You guys have such a great sense of the car market and can translate that so honestly in your videos. Always reasonable and on point. Fantastic stuff. Always look forward to the next video.
Genuinely sad that Subaru has removed the manuals from the Impreza/Crosstrek lineup, I'm really digging the 2024 refreshes, would heavily consider buying one if they had a manual option (and an actual manual option, not only on the bottom trim like they used to do with the Crosstrek)
Blame the EPA, the manuals test poorly for EPA mileage compared to the CVT, and don't really sell well, so they dropped them. Yes, the real-world manual mileage was better, but not the EPA test set.
Everyone here had to learn to drive a MT at some point, and the Impreza is/was the best entry level stick for snowy weather. Also, you're gonna have a hard/expensive time (though not as bad as it used to be) to rent a car with an auto in UK/europe.
Own this exact car for almost a year now, and I completely agree: value for the amount you pay is really nice, no disgusting looking plastic cladding all over the place. Is it gonna win any drag races? Most likely not, but can it take you from point A to point B safely and in relative comfort? Yeah, most certainly. Like Mark said, if you don't want a CUV/SUV, this is a good choice. 👍
Getting really tired of people using "winning drag races" as a measure of usefulness. People aren't looking to overtake other drivers from a standstill. People are interested in feeling like their car doesn't merge into high-speed traffic at dangerously slow take-off speeds. There should be a federal law that all cars are able to safely merge into most traffic situations that keep the driver safe, and just as importantly, doesn't cause disruptions to other drivers on the road because a Subaru can't get up to speed properly.
Just loved the fact you reviewed a car that the average person can buy. Yes we watch your videos and this is a surprise. I have the 2024 Crosstrek Sport with 2.5 and the one thing that really impresses me is the dual pinion steering rack out of the WRX, steering feel or driving feel is super on the interstate, I find it tracks so easy, like holding the steering wheel with 2 fingers compared to other cars I’ve owned, power is more then adequate for normal drivers !!!
This is a great value in today’s market and I’m considering it as year round alt to my BRZ. If they brought the manual back it would probably be a riot.
Agreed! Give the RS the option for the manual transmission from the WRX. I'm also a bit surprised that this gets the 2.5, rather than the FA24 from the BRZ. I'm all for Subaru using parts from other cars to make the RS trim a budget N/A version of the WRX
This is what I am looking for in a simple daily driver. 2.5L engine is more than adequate but if they put the FA24 and the manual, it would be a winner for sure. The lack of a manual transmission is my deal breaker.
If they offered the manual transmission as a low to moderate cost option, it would be on my 5 door sporty hatchback "want" list. Too bad. No manual, no sale. "Hello? is your Mazda3 hatchback still available?"
As someone who came out of a Subaru 4 speed torque converter transmission in my 2005 Outback and into a 2020 Outback XT with a CVT, plus spent about 2500 miles in a 2023 base Outback, plus many hundreds of miles in my mother in law's CVT-equipped Crosstrek, I have never had the droning/rubberband/insulated negative feelings that are described here (and everywhere) as a con. And FWIW, I've driven more than a few properly fast cars on race tracks and done actual wheel to wheel racing. So I'm not oblivious to those kinds of driving experiences either. Ultimately, I think you just need to drive one yourself and see if it's a problem for you.
The 2.5 feels better with the CVT than the 2.0, which somehow managed to feel jerky and really unrefined in the 2020 Impreza rental I drove. The CVT + 2.5 in the 2012 Legacy I tried felt smooth and relatively effortless like a CVT should. Though I've heard that Subarus with a torque converter auto allegedly can distribute torque to all wheels more effectively than the CVT models can. Haven't seen a test to back this up but something to consider.
Bought a Impreza sport hatch for a daily driver. Love it. It’s simple but doesn’t feel cheap. Oh and doing oil changes are super easy with the top mounted oil filter.
This is a typical Subaru "good value" car and I am glad they still care about that. But it would be a lot more interesting with a manual transmission option. Even the most basic Subarus have always been fun/unique when the boxer engine is paired with a manual. I can remember experiencing the boxer rumble going through the gears on a GL back in the 1980s, and we still got that with Imprezas, Foresters, and even Outbacks through the early 2000s when manuals were offered. These were otherwise unremarkable cars (with mediocre shifter/clutch action no less) that gained a unique level of character when paired with a manual.
I was selling Subaru's from 2015 to 2019. We absolutely never sold a manual transmission Impreza, Crosstrek, or Forester sadly. Today's Subaru buyers do not want a manual gearbox, sans the WRX and BRZ customer. It's really upsetting as the 6 speed in the Crosstrek/Forester was a really nice trans.
@ethereous That being the case, give us at least a decent, traditional torque converter 6 speed automatic with +/- function at the console, as a good or at least livable compromise.
One problem I have with the Subaru pricing model is that on the Impreza/Crosstrek, you have to go waaay up the trims to get out of the dismal 2.0L into the acceptable 2.5L... whereas you get it as standard on the Forester/Outback/Legacy. This car is not that different in price to a Legacy, and a 2.5L Crosstrek is not that difference in price to a similar spec Forester. This Impreza RS actually costs $700 more than a 2.5L Legacy Premium. Subaru does this in other areas--a 2.4L turbo Legacy sport is like a stealth WRX at pretty much WRX pricing, probably without WRX insurance premiums. It would be nice if Subaru let you have the 2.5L lower down in the Impreza/Crosstrek range, the 2.0L is just too slow for us that live at altitude with steep hills. I couldn't imagine taking the 2.0L up Mirror Lake Highway at 11,000 ft on steep grades. Don't forget about that other Subaru perk: you can factory order their cars. You don't need to settle for whatever is on the lot or pay for trims and packages you don't want. You can pick your car, trim, color, options, and still pay MSRP or less. Very good value. I really do think Subaru is one of the best brands out there for giving you a lot for your money. They have a lot of quality AWD vehicles available in the 20-35k range.
Totally agree with all you say. I always recommend the Forester to anyone who is considering the Crosstrek with the 2.5L, which I encounter frequently. Having driven the Impreza with the 2.0L and manual transmission at even ho-hum elevation in the foothills of the Rockies, e.g. 6000 feet, it is an absolute dog. I doubt the CVT would make that engine feel any perkier. I did not know that Subaru allows customers to order the car they want from factory.
The last generation has wider CVT ratio with makes the car launch a bit quicker, test drove a 2024 Impreza 2.5 Sport-tech in Canada, and It is better then my 2017 Impreza 2.0 Sport-tech, 150 to 180 HP improvement is nice, also a bit larger gas tank 16 gallon over the older 14 gallon that I have. But the dealer was too greedy on my trade-in 60.000 miles and no deal for the time being. You are right the CVT kept me from getting speeding tickets :) @@acsmoothing2262
If I wanted a Legacy 4-door sedan, I would buy one. I like the hatchback styling and the 2.0 L is fine with me, it is relatively quick and moves in traffic well and cruises well on the highway. And, as a 6x Subi owner and 3-year WRX owner, I know what a Subi is, reliable.
I like it. It would be better without the cvt, but otherwise it's nice to see a small hatchback with good features, good price, and a good ride quality.
To be fair, I should have said it maybe would be better without it. I've driven nothing but manuals for 26 years so I don't have personal experience with any CVT. I've just never heard good things. Even so, it's on my list of considerations for my next vehicle, so clearly I don't have any strong feelings about Subaru's CVTs specifically. @@Brian_Eugene_Lee
@@johnnybravo5044 The only problem with the 3 is that it lost any sporty appeal after the abysmal 3rd gen redesign. The RS might not perform like the old one, but at least it looks the part.
If I lived in a cold weather climate and was solely interested in basic transportation in this class, the Impreza might rise to the top of the list. Compared to Civic especially, you basically get the excellent AWD system for free.
Price point - the critical feature here. You can find cars that are less expensive, but they're nowhere near as refined as the Subaru. It does everything pretty well for a reasonable price point.
I actually have an unpopular opinion on CVT’s. I own a 2017 Honda Civic EX-T with a CVT, and I actually really like it most of the time. The power delivery is smooth and quick when you need it to be. Where it can be annoying is stop and go traffic because it judders so much when off and on throttle. or with the 1.5T it’s just completely dead off the line until the turbo kicks in. But, if you know how to drive it, it’s a quick little car with some life injected through its veins. I’d be interested to see first hand how Subaru’s formula works…
I'm glad that the CVT programming has switched to be unapologetically 'CVT' instead of faking gear shifts like prior years. Center console still sucks without physical buttons for all HVAC but eh, it's designed for less rural use. Still annoying that it's not as usable with gloves on. Definitely still a favorite and i'm glad they are continuing to sell hatchbacks.
@@flat6gts yeah, I don’t notice the CVT operation at all (my first, after decades of mostly manuals) other than it behaves exactly as I would expect a transmission to. I guess if you drive at WOT all day you would notice the RPM’s pegged but mostly it’s just seamless or with gentle ratio changes. I do notice that if you put it “S” mode and drive it like you stole it the car wakes up with increasing “shifts” and you can blip the paddle shifters for a bit more control. It’s not a hot hatch (I’ve got a WRX wagon for that) but it moves about just fine. More than anything the super stiff chassis of this car is its best quality, it rides and handles like a much more substantial vehicle chewing up miles in supreme, planted comfort while still being fun to drive.
If the NVH and subtle refinements over the last gen translate to a better car (which I think they would) I’d be happy with this, especially since dealers by me are discounting the RS. My S/O has the last gen base hatch and while it’s a slow, noisy, transportation box I love how honest and capable the cargo space and AWD is. Nothing about Subaru makes sense, the car guy in me should hate them but I don’t!
I have a 2011 Impreza 5sp hatch and this would have been its replacement if it had manual. I want a hatch, and I would have loved to save on gas and insurance compared to the WRX.
Agreed! Bring back the cheap N/A manual hatchbacks. It still boggles my mind that Mazda only offers a manual on the "Premium" trim level for the Mazda3. Make it an option for the lower trim levels too and there's a good chance they will sell more cars in spite of the tiny trunk space and poor rearward visibility issues of the Mazda3 hatchback
The fact that subaru still hasn't implemented some kind of ski pass-though or 40:20:40 split folding rear seats is truly infuriating. Ski hatches have been a thing since the 80s and subaru with its outdoorsy image should be one of the first to use it. Every car park at a ski resort is full of subarus with roof racks, it seems like the most obvious thing to have a nice pass-through implemented than having to deal with roof rails and roof racks
@@scotchbingeington6761 Is there a pass through on the 08 hatchback? I've seen it on bloodeyes and on tribecas but never again on any other subarus, foresters, outbacks, even the ascent doesn't offer it, unless you go for 2nd row captain's chairs where there is nothing in the middle. Edit: apparently, after some digging, you can get 40:20:40 folding seats on the levorg which is in essence an impreza wagon thing sold in some markets. So the fact that those seats probably fit but subaru chose not to fit them on the impreza is even more infuriating!
I hate CVTs, but I appreciate the fact Subaru gave it a no BS experience for what it is. It doesn't try to pretend to be an automatic transmission, it just gets right to max efficiency range and holds it until you're where you want to be.
I think my car is more of an “RS” than this but they called it a 2.5i. ‘09 2.5 liter 5 speed manual Impreza sedan. Bought it new and it’s still running strong 15 years later but has low mileage, but still goes through winter salty roads every year and not garaged most of the time. I would only consider this new RS an upgrade if it had a manual option and better infotainment. The CVT is a deal breaker. My car is not fast at all but it’s zippy and handles great and fun to drive. I just upgraded the front sway bar and added the absent rear sway bar, and wheels and tires. Best part is no car payments for a decade.
Good honest review about who Subaru is targeting with this car. I owned three of them and loved how they drove. Gets you where you need to go reliably.
It's the perfect car for most people that live in snowy places. It doesn't need to win races. It needs to get you from point A to point B safely and cost -effectively. If you don't live where it snows for 3 months of the year or more, I'd look at a front wheel drive option that gets better fuel economy.
Vermont owner here, snow/rain/sleet/ice nearly 6 months out of the year, 4/3/2024 today, expecting 18" to 24 " snow/ice/sleet over the next 72 hours, no problem, the Subi will reign supreme, as always.
I kinda like this car. I own an old 2009 Civic, and it's been pretty much bullet-proof, and I think that if Honda offered an AWD version of the Civic, they would absolutely own the market segment because so much of the rest of that vehicle it is a step above the competition.
Bought mine in October 2023. This video nailed it basically, I was comparing it to the civic, the corolla, and the mazda3. The cvt makes it "feel" slower than all the others for sure. I've had 2 over the air updates since October for the infotainment center and I'm not sure what they changed tbh but it works very well in my opinion. Wireless android auto works everytime, no issues. The climate controls are the clunkiest part but they work, I'm just old school I guess and prefer the classic button or dials. (Does have temp up and down physical buttons, and volume knob). The awd works great to go to the mountains, the roof is low enough to clear all the snow off easily and the roof rack options are numerous and bolt directly to the pre-threaded roof rails. I got the rs with special financing and it was just under 30k, but has almost all the options. I test drove one with the extra options I didn't get and they weren't worth it for me vs the brighter color option I went with. (Did not get sunroof or power seats, but got blue instead of silver). Works great for what I wanted, namely a good winter car that I can take my snowboard and friends to the mountains. Mpg and range are ok, but my other car is the road trip car anyway. Happy to answer any questions about ownership. Glad you guys liked it too.
@g60corrado91 speakers are decent, I had a 2019 civic coupe and I would say they're maybe slightly worse or the same, little less base if anything. City and mountain roads I get low 30mpgs, maybe 36 if only highway. I do not usually see 480 mile range like that chart says, but 400 is normal for me between fill ups of regular. (Glad it doesn't require or recommend premium like the turbo cars I was comparing)
@@rallydrew nice, that’s not bad at all. I averaged 36.5 overall for 53k in my old 2015 base Mazda3 6MT hatch, so this being low 30’s and a few hundred lbs heavier plus awd is decent.
@g60corrado91 I have a smart car I regularly see 50s in so I kinda turn my nose up at 30s now but awd and able to fit my snowboard in and basically everything else is better in the subi lol
@@rallydrew haha fair enough. My ND Miata gets mid to upper 20’s on E85 and I have a BT Mk5 GTI that gets 23-25mpg on 93, much less if it’s seeing boost all the time 😂
@@Matt-vw9nd the chassis is the global chassis. to keep up it needs springs and shocks. of course there's a massive HP difference, but that's why i said 90%
I have a 1999 2.5RS coupe and while the new car is a far cry from the rally legend of old, I see what Subaru is doing here. They’re just really good cars for the price and people are buying these like crazy. I sound like a shill for the company sometimes, but Honda and Toyota dealerships really put a sour taste in everyone’s mouth and Subaru just delivers on the affordable and practical utility most people expect from an everyday car. I just wish they’d left the HVAC controls as physical buttons below the screen. I have the same screen in my 2022 WRX Limited and it’s a slow mess and total pain/danger to use while driving.
I'm thrilled Americans still have a choice of several hatchbacks, considering how unpopular hatchbacks are here. I've always loved them for their versatility and practicality. As for the Impreza, it seems to be a very good value. It's a good-looking hatchback. I do have one big gripe. I don't know why Subaru refuses to sell its cars standard with FWD at a lower price point. AWD as an option generally adds $2k to the price of vehicles. If Subaru offered the Impreza with FWD standard for $2k less, it would dramatically undercut the Civic, Corolla, and Mazda3. Half of the country doesn't need AWD. It's overkill. There are many caveats to having AWD when you don't need it. The fuel economy suffers, as evidenced by the 34mpg highway rating, which is far worse than the competition with their 2.0L engines. All 4 tires have to be replaced at the same time, unlike FWD cars. This combined with Subaru's quite expensive $8k CVT replacement cost keeps me focused on other brands every time I shop for a new car. It's a shame.
@@justinwieduwilt5420 I agree. Growing up in the northeast, my parents drove FWD cars and they did just fine in the winter. In fact, back in the '80s and '90s it was touted as the safer and more secure alternative to RWD cars.
@@David_Journey Winter tires make a difference, but good all seasons these days nearly get there. Good FWD still never gets close to even half decent AWD, even if the FWD has winter tires and the AWD has good all seasons, at least in terms of driving enjoyment and ease of control. Same goes for RWD, too. My truck drives like shit in the snow, but my wife's AWD CX-5 with all seasons drives great.
Massive fan of Savageese the in-depth technical side of videos and the more sports variants on track footage is breathtaking keep up the great work ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍
I've had one of these for 3 ish weeks now, and for a daily driver, I like it. To claify, i have a modded challenger shaker, I have a fast, loud, 6 speed, with a v8 motor that gets single digit fuel economy. I bought this car to bring my son to daycare, and drive back and forth to work, year round. I feel like this will do that well. If the wife, kid, and i want to go somewhere. We have plenty of room, great sound, and comfortable ride and it doesn't hurt the wallet to drive around. Just sporty enough in both looks and drive that i don't hate it, i can actually murge into traffic confidently, not too far gone that I don't want to drive it everyday. Would i love it more if it were a manual? Yes. Do i enjoy so far? Yes! If i remember to, I'll update once winter sets in and snow flies.
I leased this car in saphire blue. I know going in it's not the fastest car around, but it gets me from point A to B and is a great looking and great performing car, especially in winter conditions.
Thanks, again Mark for an honest unbiased review. Not dwelling on it's zero to sixty time or half the video on the highlights of the body styling as if we can't see that ourselves. And you always have the best on the technical aspects. And thanks for doing reviews on affordable cars!
Two months ago we specifically searched for a used 2022 Ascent just to avoid the big screen. So glad we did. I need my tactile buttons. We’ve stuck with Subaru for years due to safety, practicality and value. Got a certiifed 22 Ascent touring with brown Napa leather, under 20k miles for under $36 OTD. Passed down our 2016 forester with over 100k miles with not a single issue (major or minor) since we purchased it new. We baby our cars so I assume any brand car will have longevity given proper maintenance and care.
That’s the reason I got 2018 Outback with 3.6r. The infotainment, knobs and buttons for most interior features makes it such a lovely car. I sat in newer Subarus with the gigantic screen and didn’t like the feel at all!
I had a Honda Civic sport for a few months but traded it in on the RS with the winters in pa I just could never get to my house . I need 4 wheelers to get up the rocky mt road to my home and I paddle shift this all the time in s mode and it’s pretty fun when you shift just over 5000 rpm’s and it is comfortable and fun for a great price and it gets me home even after a foot of snow.
The payroll reminder going off during the sad acceleration shot was perfect, haha. I'm leaning towards the Civic Hatch with a manual (if I can ever find one), but if I lived up north this would be the easy pick at the price. Always good to have an economical, good 4WD option out there.
Check out Autotrader and play with filters (hatchback body style and manual). Also, dealerships should be able to transport the Civic Hatch 6 speed with relative ease. I know our local Honda dealership was able to do it for an Odyssey at least.
7:00 Electronics that can take over steering ? For highway safety, not for parallel parking ? Need to see a hot lap with Jacky Ding to believe in this technology.
The odds of me having one in my driveway are 5x if this were offered with a 6spd. And before anyone says “just buy a wrx” I, 1: don’t want a turbo, 2: don’t want a sedan, and 3: it’s fugly. Also, the fact the 2.5 with 30hp more only takes a 1mpg hit is very impressive.
@@tonysterbenc for half the price of the average new car in the US you get a car that can fit a family with list of features that make a difference in day-to-day usability for the typical person/family. Much like going to the dentist regularly, purchasing a car that meets a persons needs instead of their wants is oftentimes the best decision for the long term.
Just bought one downsizing from a forester wilderness. I gotta say, it handles really well and the fuel economy was the main point for us in this purchase. I feel like it’s just sporty enough while still being more than capable of day to day activity. I have a 1200cc sport bike so I don’t care about straight line speed in cars much anymore as that’s where I have my fun. The handling is great and the color options are wonderful as well
Good car, good value. Not everybody hates a the CVT because it works well in daily driving which is this car’s mission. Is it more fun to drive a $60,000 car to the grocery store? Nope, unless your goal in life is to impress the kid chasing empty carts in the parking lot. This is a very good car for the mundane daily drive to work, grocery store, dry cleaners, gym, and friends’ homes that nearly car owner undertakes. Why fret about the CVT? Nearly 100% of your driving is done at partial throttle and it’s just fine.
This is absolutely one of the attainable dream cars once I truly need to replace one of our dying 15+ year old cars while still paying down student loans and saving for our first home.
Wouldn’t trade my Mazda 3 AWD for this. I live in far northern New England (2 miles from Canada) and when paired with quality winter tires the Mazda performs flawlessly… the Mazda is just overall a lot nicer, the 6 speed slush box is vastly better then any CVT. Makes an otherwise dull 50 mile one way commute slightly better… in the summer I ride motorcycles the vast majority of time. If I want to have fun that’s what I do…
@@David_Journey our other car is a Passat which is FWD, had a Tiguan SE 4motion before that. Has Nokian Hakkapelita’s on it as well and it does fine. AWD is mainly nice to accelerate from a stop, good winters matter more then AWD in general driving in snowy conditions. We had a 2008 Impreza when my wife and I first got together a decade ago and for normal commuting the Mazda is just as good. In terms of grip, our 2014 Lancer SE AWC was the best car we’ve had when the ACD was locked in 4 low, that thing would plow through any snowy conditions. Put Nokians on all of the cars mentioned and they all do fine in the snow, for general commuting they are all perfectly fine. The Mazda is just the nicest to drive of the bunch which is why I like it, the interior is nice, and it’s a really sharp looking little car.
I own one and I have to be honest, I fully expected you guys to shit all over the car like so many other reviews have done. They pit on their rose colored glasses and want to compare it to the old 2.5RS that we were only given to shut us up since we didnt get the wrx in the USA. Iwas very refreshing to hear you review the car for what it was actually intended to be. This is no race car. Its not the perfect 1 car for an enthusiast. What it is, is a perfect commuter car for someone who refuses to drive some refrigerator SUV\CUV. Hatchback versatility, comfort, good looks, good tech, and adequate performance along with the best awd on the market. It can be the perfect vehicle for your average commuter. In my case as an enthusiast it is a great addition to my fun cars. With a mustang and BRZ to drive for fun, the impreza RS makes a better car for hauling the family and is amazing in any kind of weather. It really is a great value for the money.
@@eskieman3948 As an owner of 2 late model Subarus. A 2022 BRZ and a 2024 impreza RS, I can confirm that they do deserve a good deal of the hate they get. They have a cult following, which I thought was odd for an unreliable brand. But I suppose even Alpha Romeo and Jaguar have their fans as well. I do enjoy my Subarus. But have had my share of problems with both already.
@@4orrcountry BRZ has has the same front suspension problem twice. Sway bar links come loose and bang around making a bunch of noise. Around 12k miles the timing cover developed a pretty bad oil leak. Dealership had to pull the engine out to fix it. The impreza had a bad wheel bearing with only 3k miles. They replaced the entire hub assembly. The rear diff is now grinding with 7k miles. I have to bring it in again, but havent.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon CVTs pretending to be an auto infuriates me. Why bother with a CVT if you negate all its plusses by making it a fake auto that's worse than an actual auto?
I need to comment on "head bob" that mazda, and now Subaru is obsessed with. Never once have I complained about my head moving side to side at any time in my life. Like most humans, my head is somewhat self stabilizing. However what does suck is being slammed in the head 3x per second by the headrest in my cx30 because it protrudes so far past the plane of the backrest combined with poor fore-aft motion control . Maybe mazda should focus less on headbob, and more on not giving me a concussion. Also the cx30.should have faster steering for how heavy the steering is. And better sun visors. And the retractable center console armrest is stupid and is already breaking.
Kind of mind bogling in times of 1.x liter 3 zylinders making more power and being more efficient they stick with a terrible 2.5 that can do neither. Also now that they removed the AC knobs i guess even subaru died now
The cargo space is “similar” to the Crosstrek? Is it not the same body now? It was. You guys do informative videos. Hope Subaru brings the manuals back! Glad I got mine in 22! Your video helped me decide on my 22 6-speed Crosstrek. Thanks you for your content!
I would heavily consider the RS if it had a manual as a daily. My only other hatch manual option would be the GTI since there is only a $1000 difference between that and the civic hatch in Canada. I would rather have the sportier car.
I looked at the Impreza recently, as I've been shopping after sadly hitting a deer with my 2012 Mazda 3 MT. As I live in a snowy, rural area and often go to trailheads, AWD is appealing. I felt unenthused by it, however, especially with the CVT and very large but ineffective screen in the dash. One aspect I rarely see mentioned is that the insurance quote was very high compared to the others I requested, even for the base model. I also test drove a Mazda 3 hatch but was mixed. I felt it wanted to wow me with luxury but was no longer as involving to drive, and I disliked the poor visibility. I liked the Civic hatch the best, but it's very difficult to find a manual, while the CVT and Honda's recent issues concern me. I'd like something like an Audi or VW All-Road, but the ownership cost and reliability gamble keep me away. So, while it hurts my soul to say it, I might have to swallow my pride and look to a CUV or small SUV. For fun I'll have my mountain bike?
I have a ‘21 Sport that’s AMAZING in the snow, and I live in Northern Utah where we got over 900” in the mountains last year. I snowboard, so this is paramount. Literally drive into blizzards all the time and I’m passing stuck 4x4s with ease. It’s a great hatch for frugal buyers who need sure-footed grip. Seriously, it’s very impressive with snow tires. It also corners nicely in the canyons. It is slow as a turtle though so not good for enthusiasts. I do drive mine up past 9k in altitude and it does fine if you just drive slow. Get this thing if your local snowfall is measured in feet. Otherwise, buy a turbo-4 eco engine car with fwd and you’ll be much happier. Lastly, mine is 3 years old with 25k on the odometer and it has only lost 2.5k in value. Basically 10% depreciation over 3 years, which is phenomenal.
I had a 2008 Impreza 2.5RX sedan. Totally reliable (never missed a beat) and would handle any road condition but it was truly the most boring appliance I've ever had. Kudos to Subaru for being able to sell this car at the price they do and for keeping some worthwhile differences in their line-up. Thanks as always to Mark and Jack for bringing us tests of vehicles real people can afford.
If this had a 200-220HP 2.5L and a 6spd manual or AT LEAST the CVT SPT tuning it could be a fun car to drive and an Si competitor. Then I'd say it was worthy of the RS name.
@@gabrieliacoboni6951it's currently 2-3k less than a Civic Si. So even at 29-32k it would be competitive in the sporty sport compact market. A 91oct tune and 6spd are easily done. They already have the parts so minimal R&D would need to be done. The "SPT" is just better CVT tuning. So that could likely also be adapted in some form.
I like the look of this car. I like that it is not pretending to be something it is not. I do not like the exterior styling of the Honda you compared this car to for example. I would like a manual trans, but not if it is like the manual in my 2016 Forester. The gearing in that car is all about better fuel economy. First and reverse are way to tall, while both 5 and 6 are overdrive. I think that is the price we pay for the way the government does fuel economy standards. So in the case of this car the CVT is ok. Thanks for the thoughtful review.
My 2017 Impreza Sport was a nice car, fun to drive (handling-wise) and reasonably smooth and quiet. My only real compaint was it's 152 hp engine. It was surprisingly strong for what it was, but you had to really wind it out to get it to go with any real impetus. I ended up selling it and buying a 2022 Outback Onyx XT and I have no regrets. But we're talking the diff between a low-mid $20k car compared to a $40k car with a 260 hp turbo. But it's great to see the Impreza getting a little more love, and engine options, these days.
As uninspiring as this car is... I'm glad there's at least a few decent options for daily-driver cars that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Yes, that about sums it up.
To be fair, 30k, with a decent interest rate and only financing for 5 years is still over 500 a month. That's a big ask for someone making less than 70k a year, which is...a lot of folks.
Demonry!! Comment posted a day ago, when the video is 16 minutes old. I will not BE WATCHING SATAN CONTENT…
@@Eldaino999if someone makes less than 70k a year i think they have more important things to spend money on instead of a new car
Those folks won't buy the RS model, they will buy the base.
Thanks for taking the time to review cars that normal people can actually buy. Almost shocked that you can still get a car in the 20's in the crazed era of 60-70k SUVs
I agree I’m surprised a car can be bought in that price range. It’s plenty enough vehicle for me.
Legacy with the same engine is much better value for money.
Not saying 60-70k isn't the average but it's really crazy to me how many offerings exist in the market from 80, 90, 100, even 110k for new models that were once the average family soccer / school commuter.
I totally agree. Although the average price paid for a new car is nearly $50k, there are a LOT of people who can't responsibly buy a vehicle for $50k or $40k. That Subaru is making a safe, reliable, practical vehicle here that's even pretty fun to drive for less than $30k is fantastic.
But what will your buddies think?
My brother has one of these. It’s almost a perfect daily driver for a non-enthusiast, very normal, midwesterner. Really good a-b machine that doesn’t make you feel like you’re selling out to the modern day c/suv phenomenon.
This is what most people should get in regions where snows a lot, the CVT is NOT the end of the world for the average driver. I’m glad you guys did a great job showing objectively what this car really is.
Correct. The Subaru CVT is pretty good. But, nowadays, people love to have something to bitch about or hate, so, CVTs are an easy target, especially for the stupid commenters.
Wild how much better this looks compared to the WRX
agree. Subaru needs to ditch the 4-door sedan and put everything on this chassis (one body shell for 4-5 cars) -- all hatchbacks from base Impreza, to RS, to Crosstrek, to WRX, to STi (when it returns). All cars would share 70-80% of the same bits. Change, engine/transmission/suspension/exhaust/interior bits as needed per vehicle and the car pays for itself and all of its versions because they all use the same body shell/doors/and rear seats.
Its unbelievable that Subaru hasnt facelifted the current WRX yet, its actually offensively ugly. As someone who owned a last-gen STI and a GD generation WRX wagon, no amount of convincing would get me to walk into a Subaru dealer to look at the current WRX
wrx doesnt look bad, you get used to it as you see it more and its roughly more harmonic than it seems at first glance
Saying you get used to the ugliness doesnt make it not ugly@@kalmmonke5037
Considering a WRX is around 35k msrp for the premium, it's a far better value. They are heavily discounted now too. They really should make a WRX hatch but I'm guessing they sold far less hatches in the past so they had to ditch it. I rarely see them on the street. It's kind of a unicorn because I see the sedan version all the time.
I'm using a base model with the upgraded wheels as a pizza delivery car and couldn't be happier! I was going to go with a RAV4, but the dang things are too expensive to use as a pizza delivery car in my opinion. I test drove a 2017 RAV4 with 110,000 miles on it and it was nice, but it's still a 7 year old vehicle with over a hundred thousands miles on it for $20,000. For the same price of 20,000, I was able to get a 2024 Subaru Impreza base model with the better wheels with only 70 miles on it. It's not a race car, but it's plenty quick for regular driving. It merges into traffic well, and handles corners better than most cars. I'm looking forward to taking it out in the snow here in a few months! You're not going to find a better car for roughly $300 a month.
Gotta give props to Subaru for keeping car prices reasonable when other manufacturers are ballooning prices to insane levels! We as consumers need to respond by not buying 80k+ vehicles, paying over $700 per month for 10 years to afford them!
A lot of Americans are seemingly oblivious to debt. You can't imagine how many nice, brand new, high spec cars I see parked in front of clapped out townhouses on a daily basis. It's clear what their priorities are.
This basically. Water heater is dying HVAC is barely function, ducts are clogged and the fence and deck are falling apart, but no worries the gmc acadia denali is on the drive way. @theglowcloud2215
@@ruvindap66thanks for reminding me I have to change my furnace filter😅
Been waiting for this one. I bought a 2024 sport in July for a daily commuter. I live in southeast Ohio. I drive 45 mins to work and it’s all backroads that are subject to inclement weather and ridiculous hills. I couldn’t be more satisfied with a car purchase. I still have the showroom tires on it and no matter what conditions you drive in, this thing just goes. For my situation, this scores a 10/10 for me so far.
Nice!
Just be careful with the transmission because they all grenade at some point.
@@Jimster481Fake news.
@@Jimster481 Subaru CVT has better dependability rating than any of today's duel clutch automatics.
@@ltwig476No way, because those transmissions all fail before 100k miles. Some of them before 50k miles.
If you have an Impreza and you drive it super super softly; you might get a bit over 100k out of the transmission but basically they are all failing.
3:39 Slight correction. The VB is the current generation WRX chassis. This, the sixth generation Impreza is the GU chassis. Obviously they share a ton of DNA, but the VIN is still different as are other aspects.
Great video. I was fortunate enough to have ordered a manual Crosstrek when they were finishing up production of the 2nd gen cars. The biggest highlight of the modern Subaru platform is the AWD drivetrain. Superficially icy and slushy roads aside, the Crosstrek’s snow and trail performance rivals that of even some semi-modern Jeeps with a more traditional 4WD setup. The Crosstrek/Impreza AWD system delivers in challenging conditions. The marketing surrounding these cars downplays the system, but owners know.
if they dropped the wrx engine in the cross trek that would be amazing.
Everyone knows how good Subarus AWD system is…
Love hearing your guys takes on cars. I watch every single video, even cars I don’t even care about. You guys have such a great sense of the car market and can translate that so honestly in your videos. Always reasonable and on point. Fantastic stuff. Always look forward to the next video.
Genuinely sad that Subaru has removed the manuals from the Impreza/Crosstrek lineup, I'm really digging the 2024 refreshes, would heavily consider buying one if they had a manual option (and an actual manual option, not only on the bottom trim like they used to do with the Crosstrek)
Blame the EPA, the manuals test poorly for EPA mileage compared to the CVT, and don't really sell well, so they dropped them. Yes, the real-world manual mileage was better, but not the EPA test set.
The manual in the previous gen sucked anyway. You’re not missing anything
I'd say Subaru really does NOT want to offer a manual on anything - even the WRX.
Those were pretty bare-bones. Didn’t even have Eyesight like the CVT base models had.
Everyone here had to learn to drive a MT at some point, and the Impreza is/was the best entry level stick for snowy weather. Also, you're gonna have a hard/expensive time (though not as bad as it used to be) to rent a car with an auto in UK/europe.
Own this exact car for almost a year now, and I completely agree: value for the amount you pay is really nice, no disgusting looking plastic cladding all over the place. Is it gonna win any drag races? Most likely not, but can it take you from point A to point B safely and in relative comfort? Yeah, most certainly. Like Mark said, if you don't want a CUV/SUV, this is a good choice. 👍
Getting really tired of people using "winning drag races" as a measure of usefulness. People aren't looking to overtake other drivers from a standstill. People are interested in feeling like their car doesn't merge into high-speed traffic at dangerously slow take-off speeds. There should be a federal law that all cars are able to safely merge into most traffic situations that keep the driver safe, and just as importantly, doesn't cause disruptions to other drivers on the road because a Subaru can't get up to speed properly.
Legacy with the same engine is much better value for money.
Just loved the fact you reviewed a car that the average person can buy. Yes we watch your videos and this is a surprise. I have the 2024 Crosstrek Sport with 2.5 and the one thing that really impresses me is the dual pinion steering rack out of the WRX, steering feel or driving feel is super on the interstate, I find it tracks so easy, like holding the steering wheel with 2 fingers compared to other cars I’ve owned, power is more then adequate for normal drivers !!!
This is a great value in today’s market and I’m considering it as year round alt to my BRZ. If they brought the manual back it would probably be a riot.
Agreed! Give the RS the option for the manual transmission from the WRX.
I'm also a bit surprised that this gets the 2.5, rather than the FA24 from the BRZ.
I'm all for Subaru using parts from other cars to make the RS trim a budget N/A version of the WRX
@@SchroedingerK If they put the 2.4 in there with a manual, I'd stand in line to buy one.
Yep, MT would be awesome. Would buy now!
This is what I am looking for in a simple daily driver. 2.5L engine is more than adequate but if they put the FA24 and the manual, it would be a winner for sure. The lack of a manual transmission is my deal breaker.
If they offered the manual
transmission as a low to
moderate cost option,
it would be on my 5
door sporty hatchback
"want" list. Too bad.
No manual, no sale.
"Hello? is your Mazda3
hatchback still available?"
As someone who came out of a Subaru 4 speed torque converter transmission in my 2005 Outback and into a 2020 Outback XT with a CVT, plus spent about 2500 miles in a 2023 base Outback, plus many hundreds of miles in my mother in law's CVT-equipped Crosstrek, I have never had the droning/rubberband/insulated negative feelings that are described here (and everywhere) as a con. And FWIW, I've driven more than a few properly fast cars on race tracks and done actual wheel to wheel racing. So I'm not oblivious to those kinds of driving experiences either. Ultimately, I think you just need to drive one yourself and see if it's a problem for you.
The 2.5 feels better with the CVT than the 2.0, which somehow managed to feel jerky and really unrefined in the 2020 Impreza rental I drove. The CVT + 2.5 in the 2012 Legacy I tried felt smooth and relatively effortless like a CVT should.
Though I've heard that Subarus with a torque converter auto allegedly can distribute torque to all wheels more effectively than the CVT models can. Haven't seen a test to back this up but something to consider.
Bought a Impreza sport hatch for a daily driver. Love it. It’s simple but doesn’t feel cheap. Oh and doing oil changes are super easy with the top mounted oil filter.
This is a typical Subaru "good value" car and I am glad they still care about that. But it would be a lot more interesting with a manual transmission option. Even the most basic Subarus have always been fun/unique when the boxer engine is paired with a manual. I can remember experiencing the boxer rumble going through the gears on a GL back in the 1980s, and we still got that with Imprezas, Foresters, and even Outbacks through the early 2000s when manuals were offered. These were otherwise unremarkable cars (with mediocre shifter/clutch action no less) that gained a unique level of character when paired with a manual.
I was selling Subaru's from 2015 to 2019. We absolutely never sold a manual transmission Impreza, Crosstrek, or Forester sadly. Today's Subaru buyers do not want a manual gearbox, sans the WRX and BRZ customer. It's really upsetting as the 6 speed in the Crosstrek/Forester was a really nice trans.
@ethereous That being the case, give us at least a decent, traditional torque converter 6 speed automatic with +/- function at the console, as a good or at least livable compromise.
@@ethereous Whenever I see a base impreza in NE Canada, it's like 50:50 manuals and autos.
Yes, loved the manual transmission.
@@springertubeAbsolutely!
This is by far the best review I've seen on this vehicle.
One problem I have with the Subaru pricing model is that on the Impreza/Crosstrek, you have to go waaay up the trims to get out of the dismal 2.0L into the acceptable 2.5L... whereas you get it as standard on the Forester/Outback/Legacy. This car is not that different in price to a Legacy, and a 2.5L Crosstrek is not that difference in price to a similar spec Forester. This Impreza RS actually costs $700 more than a 2.5L Legacy Premium. Subaru does this in other areas--a 2.4L turbo Legacy sport is like a stealth WRX at pretty much WRX pricing, probably without WRX insurance premiums. It would be nice if Subaru let you have the 2.5L lower down in the Impreza/Crosstrek range, the 2.0L is just too slow for us that live at altitude with steep hills. I couldn't imagine taking the 2.0L up Mirror Lake Highway at 11,000 ft on steep grades.
Don't forget about that other Subaru perk: you can factory order their cars. You don't need to settle for whatever is on the lot or pay for trims and packages you don't want. You can pick your car, trim, color, options, and still pay MSRP or less. Very good value. I really do think Subaru is one of the best brands out there for giving you a lot for your money. They have a lot of quality AWD vehicles available in the 20-35k range.
If you think the 2l is bad you have tried a 1.6l which you get in Europe
@@LawrenceTimme Everything is relative. By US standards, the 2.0L is a DOG.
Totally agree with all you say. I always recommend the Forester to anyone who is considering the Crosstrek with the 2.5L, which I encounter frequently. Having driven the Impreza with the 2.0L and manual transmission at even ho-hum elevation in the foothills of the Rockies, e.g. 6000 feet, it is an absolute dog. I doubt the CVT would make that engine feel any perkier.
I did not know that Subaru allows customers to order the car they want from factory.
The last generation has wider CVT ratio with makes the car launch a bit quicker, test drove a 2024 Impreza 2.5 Sport-tech in Canada, and It is better then my 2017 Impreza 2.0 Sport-tech, 150 to 180 HP improvement is nice, also a bit larger gas tank 16 gallon over the older 14 gallon that I have. But the dealer was too greedy on my trade-in 60.000 miles and no deal for the time being. You are right the CVT kept me from getting speeding tickets :) @@acsmoothing2262
If I wanted a Legacy 4-door sedan, I would buy one. I like the hatchback styling and the 2.0 L is fine with me, it is relatively quick and moves in traffic well and cruises well on the highway. And, as a 6x Subi owner and 3-year WRX owner, I know what a Subi is, reliable.
I like it. It would be better without the cvt, but otherwise it's nice to see a small hatchback with good features, good price, and a good ride quality.
To be fair, I should have said it maybe would be better without it. I've driven nothing but manuals for 26 years so I don't have personal experience with any CVT. I've just never heard good things. Even so, it's on my list of considerations for my next vehicle, so clearly I don't have any strong feelings about Subaru's CVTs specifically. @@Brian_Eugene_Lee
This car is perfect for me. 42 year old dad who’s still pretending to be cool and trying to impress my 9 year old son. This nails it.
Try Mazda 3.
@@johnnybravo5044 The only problem with the 3 is that it lost any sporty appeal after the abysmal 3rd gen redesign. The RS might not perform like the old one, but at least it looks the part.
I won’t be surprised if Subaru completely leaves the enthusiast market at this point.
Also the touchscreens are Subaru’s biggest problem imo.
Well its a tiny market that barely buys new cars anyways. so i dont blame them.
Are WRX’s selling so poorly? I’ve seen more of them out than mk8 GTIs.
@@davevolz6138 some lesbian from connecticut? (as per the meme)
@@michaelw6277they’re selling very well considering that they killed the STi
the screen is good with carplay.
That’s the best description of the experience of driving a CVT I’ve ever heard.
This feels more like a modern 2.5TS but no one remembers that existed. It was the Imprezza hatch with the 2.5L and longer gearing than the 2.5RS
I used to see them around and was so confused by the TS badge, hahaha.
I live in New England, had a saabaru and loved it. I'd grab a 2.5rs if there was a manual option
If I lived in a cold weather climate and was solely interested in basic transportation in this class, the Impreza might rise to the top of the list. Compared to Civic especially, you basically get the excellent AWD system for free.
Price point - the critical feature here. You can find cars that are less expensive, but they're nowhere near as refined as the Subaru. It does everything pretty well for a reasonable price point.
I dunno man, the civic hatch is pretty damn refined
+$10K dealer greed markup around me
@@B9M3Why not find a dealer that doesn’t? Those dealers that markup suck, don’t give them business
I actually have an unpopular opinion on CVT’s. I own a 2017 Honda Civic EX-T with a CVT, and I actually really like it most of the time. The power delivery is smooth and quick when you need it to be. Where it can be annoying is stop and go traffic because it judders so much when off and on throttle. or with the 1.5T it’s just completely dead off the line until the turbo kicks in. But, if you know how to drive it, it’s a quick little car with some life injected through its veins. I’d be interested to see first hand how Subaru’s formula works…
I'm glad that the CVT programming has switched to be unapologetically 'CVT' instead of faking gear shifts like prior years. Center console still sucks without physical buttons for all HVAC but eh, it's designed for less rural use. Still annoying that it's not as usable with gloves on. Definitely still a favorite and i'm glad they are continuing to sell hatchbacks.
It has eight physical buttons for the HVAC.
I was gonna say, was legitimately surprised when it didn't fake upshift when they were getting up to speed!
honestly the infotainment works with my leather gloves on, it doesnt even act weird with them it just works
It will still emulate a traditional auto when you are driving normally, but only does the full CVT thing when you floor it
@@flat6gts yeah, I don’t notice the CVT operation at all (my first, after decades of mostly manuals) other than it behaves exactly as I would expect a transmission to. I guess if you drive at WOT all day you would notice the RPM’s pegged but mostly it’s just seamless or with gentle ratio changes. I do notice that if you put it “S” mode and drive it like you stole it the car wakes up with increasing “shifts” and you can blip the paddle shifters for a bit more control. It’s not a hot hatch (I’ve got a WRX wagon for that) but it moves about just fine. More than anything the super stiff chassis of this car is its best quality, it rides and handles like a much more substantial vehicle chewing up miles in supreme, planted comfort while still being fun to drive.
If the NVH and subtle refinements over the last gen translate to a better car (which I think they would) I’d be happy with this, especially since dealers by me are discounting the RS. My S/O has the last gen base hatch and while it’s a slow, noisy, transportation box I love how honest and capable the cargo space and AWD is. Nothing about Subaru makes sense, the car guy in me should hate them but I don’t!
the 2.5 RS would be a 'must buy' if it was 6 spd. man. and an aftermarket variable center diff.
I have a 2011 Impreza 5sp hatch and this would have been its replacement if it had manual. I want a hatch, and I would have loved to save on gas and insurance compared to the WRX.
Agreed! Bring back the cheap N/A manual hatchbacks. It still boggles my mind that Mazda only offers a manual on the "Premium" trim level for the Mazda3. Make it an option for the lower trim levels too and there's a good chance they will sell more cars in spite of the tiny trunk space and poor rearward visibility issues of the Mazda3 hatchback
No one would buy it that’s why they don’t make it
Oh, that's the only way I'd buy a Subaru ever again. N/A small AWD hatch with a manual transmission.
For me it would need to be bumped to 200HP, have a SPT and optional 6spd.
I love you guys. So detailed yet so succinct AND humorous!
The fact that subaru still hasn't implemented some kind of ski pass-though or 40:20:40 split folding rear seats is truly infuriating. Ski hatches have been a thing since the 80s and subaru with its outdoorsy image should be one of the first to use it. Every car park at a ski resort is full of subarus with roof racks, it seems like the most obvious thing to have a nice pass-through implemented than having to deal with roof rails and roof racks
Agreed. Most European hatches and wagons have it and it’s super useful.
Do the new ones really not? My '07 Impreza has a pass through, my brother's '08 hatch does as well.
They want to sell you roof racks and ski attachments. 😂
@@scotchbingeington6761 Is there a pass through on the 08 hatchback?
I've seen it on bloodeyes and on tribecas but never again on any other subarus, foresters, outbacks, even the ascent doesn't offer it, unless you go for 2nd row captain's chairs where there is nothing in the middle.
Edit: apparently, after some digging, you can get 40:20:40 folding seats on the levorg which is in essence an impreza wagon thing sold in some markets. So the fact that those seats probably fit but subaru chose not to fit them on the impreza is even more infuriating!
obvious option to boost top level trim seems obvious.
This is an awesome, all weather commuter car! 👍🏻
I hate CVTs, but I appreciate the fact Subaru gave it a no BS experience for what it is. It doesn't try to pretend to be an automatic transmission, it just gets right to max efficiency range and holds it until you're where you want to be.
I think it's a perfectly fine run-around. I'd daily one but would obviously want something fun for the weekends.
I think my car is more of an “RS” than this but they called it a 2.5i. ‘09 2.5 liter 5 speed manual Impreza sedan.
Bought it new and it’s still running strong 15 years later but has low mileage, but still goes through winter salty roads every year and not garaged most of the time.
I would only consider this new RS an upgrade if it had a manual option and better infotainment. The CVT is a deal breaker. My car is not fast at all but it’s zippy and handles great and fun to drive. I just upgraded the front sway bar and added the absent rear sway bar, and wheels and tires. Best part is no car payments for a decade.
Good honest review about who Subaru is targeting with this car. I owned three of them and loved how they drove. Gets you where you need to go reliably.
It's the perfect car for most people that live in snowy places. It doesn't need to win races. It needs to get you from point A to point B safely and cost -effectively. If you don't live where it snows for 3 months of the year or more, I'd look at a front wheel drive option that gets better fuel economy.
A appliance is what it is. It's for people who don't like driving, but need AWD car with decent reliability. Not my cup of tea, but hey whatever
Civic wagon would meet that very need.
@@yuhmadorwahWhat Civic wagon??? There is only the sedan or hatchback, at least in the US.
@@yuhmadorwahwish we could get more Japanese wagons in North America.
Vermont owner here, snow/rain/sleet/ice nearly 6 months out of the year, 4/3/2024 today, expecting 18" to 24 " snow/ice/sleet over the next 72 hours, no problem, the Subi will reign supreme, as always.
Thank you for bringing back the goose in the intro!!!
I kinda like this car. I own an old 2009 Civic, and it's been pretty much bullet-proof, and I think that if Honda offered an AWD version of the Civic, they would absolutely own the market segment because so much of the rest of that vehicle it is a step above the competition.
Corolla still going to own it
@@andersonrodriguez8258 Uh huh. Lets give it 3 years and see what the service record on those turbo i3's turns out like.
@@adamgroszkiewicz814 Toyota don’t have turbo on the Corolla 2.0 NA it hybrid unlike the civic 1.5 turbos blowing head gaskets nd other issues
@@andersonrodriguez8258 I'm talking about the GR. Nobody gives two shits about a 2.0 NA Toyota.
@@andersonrodriguez8258it's more the Accord 1.5s
Excited to put this Rennsport Subaru in my garage next to the Superveloce Versa.
Bought mine in October 2023. This video nailed it basically, I was comparing it to the civic, the corolla, and the mazda3. The cvt makes it "feel" slower than all the others for sure. I've had 2 over the air updates since October for the infotainment center and I'm not sure what they changed tbh but it works very well in my opinion. Wireless android auto works everytime, no issues. The climate controls are the clunkiest part but they work, I'm just old school I guess and prefer the classic button or dials. (Does have temp up and down physical buttons, and volume knob). The awd works great to go to the mountains, the roof is low enough to clear all the snow off easily and the roof rack options are numerous and bolt directly to the pre-threaded roof rails. I got the rs with special financing and it was just under 30k, but has almost all the options. I test drove one with the extra options I didn't get and they weren't worth it for me vs the brighter color option I went with. (Did not get sunroof or power seats, but got blue instead of silver). Works great for what I wanted, namely a good winter car that I can take my snowboard and friends to the mountains. Mpg and range are ok, but my other car is the road trip car anyway. Happy to answer any questions about ownership. Glad you guys liked it too.
@rallydrew, what mileage have you been averaging? How is the standard 6 speaker audio system?
@g60corrado91 speakers are decent, I had a 2019 civic coupe and I would say they're maybe slightly worse or the same, little less base if anything. City and mountain roads I get low 30mpgs, maybe 36 if only highway. I do not usually see 480 mile range like that chart says, but 400 is normal for me between fill ups of regular. (Glad it doesn't require or recommend premium like the turbo cars I was comparing)
@@rallydrew nice, that’s not bad at all. I averaged 36.5 overall for 53k in my old 2015 base Mazda3 6MT hatch, so this being low 30’s and a few hundred lbs heavier plus awd is decent.
@g60corrado91 I have a smart car I regularly see 50s in so I kinda turn my nose up at 30s now but awd and able to fit my snowboard in and basically everything else is better in the subi lol
@@rallydrew haha fair enough. My ND Miata gets mid to upper 20’s on E85 and I have a BT Mk5 GTI that gets 23-25mpg on 93, much less if it’s seeing boost all the time 😂
Hi. 2024 base model owner here. Love this thing. It's 90% of the wrx performance, with almost half the price tag. I'm getting 32mpg. consistently
"It's 90% of the wrx performance"
lmao what
@@Matt-vw9nd the chassis is the global chassis. to keep up it needs springs and shocks. of course there's a massive HP difference, but that's why i said 90%
you can get at least 37mpg highway driving.
@@ianfairbanks1318 you're insane if you think that makes up 90%. a 2.5 second difference to 60 mph should disqualify it entirely from even 60% lol
@@Matt-vw9nd no
I have a 1999 2.5RS coupe and while the new car is a far cry from the rally legend of old, I see what Subaru is doing here. They’re just really good cars for the price and people are buying these like crazy. I sound like a shill for the company sometimes, but Honda and Toyota dealerships really put a sour taste in everyone’s mouth and Subaru just delivers on the affordable and practical utility most people expect from an everyday car.
I just wish they’d left the HVAC controls as physical buttons below the screen. I have the same screen in my 2022 WRX Limited and it’s a slow mess and total pain/danger to use while driving.
I'm thrilled Americans still have a choice of several hatchbacks, considering how unpopular hatchbacks are here. I've always loved them for their versatility and practicality. As for the Impreza, it seems to be a very good value. It's a good-looking hatchback. I do have one big gripe. I don't know why Subaru refuses to sell its cars standard with FWD at a lower price point. AWD as an option generally adds $2k to the price of vehicles. If Subaru offered the Impreza with FWD standard for $2k less, it would dramatically undercut the Civic, Corolla, and Mazda3. Half of the country doesn't need AWD. It's overkill. There are many caveats to having AWD when you don't need it. The fuel economy suffers, as evidenced by the 34mpg highway rating, which is far worse than the competition with their 2.0L engines. All 4 tires have to be replaced at the same time, unlike FWD cars. This combined with Subaru's quite expensive $8k CVT replacement cost keeps me focused on other brands every time I shop for a new car. It's a shame.
I would argue waaaaaay less than half of the US need AWD.
@@justinwieduwilt5420 I agree. Growing up in the northeast, my parents drove FWD cars and they did just fine in the winter. In fact, back in the '80s and '90s it was touted as the safer and more secure alternative to RWD cars.
Saw this car in person at a dealership while getting my VB WRX oil change. First and only thought was: "Why couldn't this have been the WRX?"
I think I’d take a Civic hatch over this but if I lived up north I’d definitely have a look… the price is super competitive.
You have just been swayed by Subaru marketing over winter tires marketing 😅
@@David_Journey …or I may prefer winter tires on AWD. I’ve had both in snow and AWD is better and more fun
Yeah thats how i see it. Its a civic for peope who live in cold or muddy areas. When you drive through switzerland you see so many subarus its crazy.
@@David_Journey Winter tires make a difference, but good all seasons these days nearly get there. Good FWD still never gets close to even half decent AWD, even if the FWD has winter tires and the AWD has good all seasons, at least in terms of driving enjoyment and ease of control. Same goes for RWD, too. My truck drives like shit in the snow, but my wife's AWD CX-5 with all seasons drives great.
No way that FWD with snow tires is less fun with a manual than a cvt with AWD and snows
The "Fidget Spinner/Vape" song on the center screen was a brilliant touch 😂
Way back when, Mark reviewed a 4th Gen Impreza; two genetations later this is a huge difference.
Massive fan of Savageese the in-depth technical side of videos and the more sports variants on track footage is breathtaking keep up the great work ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍
They need to do an NFT.
I’d like it with a manual. Other than that it’s nice but it’s a dealbreaker for me.
I've had one of these for 3 ish weeks now, and for a daily driver, I like it.
To claify, i have a modded challenger shaker, I have a fast, loud, 6 speed, with a v8 motor that gets single digit fuel economy. I bought this car to bring my son to daycare, and drive back and forth to work, year round.
I feel like this will do that well. If the wife, kid, and i want to go somewhere. We have plenty of room, great sound, and comfortable ride and it doesn't hurt the wallet to drive around. Just sporty enough in both looks and drive that i don't hate it, i can actually murge into traffic confidently, not too far gone that I don't want to drive it everyday. Would i love it more if it were a manual? Yes. Do i enjoy so far? Yes!
If i remember to, I'll update once winter sets in and snow flies.
The black wheels are a deal killer.
I leased this car in saphire blue. I know going in it's not the fastest car around, but it gets me from point A to B and is a great looking and great performing car, especially in winter conditions.
Thanks, again Mark for an honest unbiased review. Not dwelling on it's zero to sixty time or half the video on the highlights of the body styling as if we can't see that ourselves. And you always have the best on the technical aspects. And thanks for doing reviews on affordable cars!
Two months ago we specifically searched for a used 2022 Ascent just to avoid the big screen. So glad we did. I need my tactile buttons. We’ve stuck with Subaru for years due to safety, practicality and value. Got a certiifed 22 Ascent touring with brown Napa leather, under 20k miles for under $36 OTD. Passed down our 2016 forester with over 100k miles with not a single issue (major or minor) since we purchased it new. We baby our cars so I assume any brand car will have longevity given proper maintenance and care.
That’s the reason I got 2018 Outback with 3.6r. The infotainment, knobs and buttons for most interior features makes it such a lovely car. I sat in newer Subarus with the gigantic screen and didn’t like the feel at all!
I hope they do away with this big vertical infotainment screen
Imagine how much of riot this would be with an optional manual. Even if the option was couple thousand extra, I would pay for it.
And you be the only one...
@@rogerclarke2191 Classic example of western laziness. Is shifting gears really that difficult?
I had a Honda Civic sport for a few months but traded it in on the RS with the winters in pa I just could never get to my house . I need 4 wheelers to get up the rocky mt road to my home and I paddle shift this all the time in s mode and it’s pretty fun when you shift just over 5000 rpm’s and it is comfortable and fun for a great price and it gets me home even after a foot of snow.
I am considering this now, thanks.
The payroll reminder going off during the sad acceleration shot was perfect, haha. I'm leaning towards the Civic Hatch with a manual (if I can ever find one), but if I lived up north this would be the easy pick at the price. Always good to have an economical, good 4WD option out there.
Check out Autotrader and play with filters (hatchback body style and manual). Also, dealerships should be able to transport the Civic Hatch 6 speed with relative ease. I know our local Honda dealership was able to do it for an Odyssey at least.
7:00 Electronics that can take over steering ? For highway safety, not for parallel parking ? Need to see a hot lap with Jacky Ding to believe in this technology.
The odds of me having one in my driveway are 5x if this were offered with a 6spd. And before anyone says “just buy a wrx” I, 1: don’t want a turbo, 2: don’t want a sedan, and 3: it’s fugly.
Also, the fact the 2.5 with 30hp more only takes a 1mpg hit is very impressive.
I have a '22 Outback XT.... love it, rarely have to 'get on it', but when the power is needed, it's there NOW - all that you want.
This is the daily driver that most of us should own.
Define "should." We should all go to the dentist too, but there's a reason many don't.
@@tonysterbenc for half the price of the average new car in the US you get a car that can fit a family with list of features that make a difference in day-to-day usability for the typical person/family.
Much like going to the dentist regularly, purchasing a car that meets a persons needs instead of their wants is oftentimes the best decision for the long term.
Just bought one downsizing from a forester wilderness. I gotta say, it handles really well and the fuel economy was the main point for us in this purchase. I feel like it’s just sporty enough while still being more than capable of day to day activity. I have a 1200cc sport bike so I don’t care about straight line speed in cars much anymore as that’s where I have my fun. The handling is great and the color options are wonderful as well
I know it will never happen and it’s not profitable but a manual transmission in this car would make it perfect for the price
Crazy to think when i bought my 2019 wrx new it was less than this impreza rs. What a difference 5 years makes for prices.
When picking up my WRX the other day i saw these. Made me wish they had this body as a WRX option.
They will... in Mexico
This to me, still ooks better than the new wrx
The sapphire blue pearl looks amazing in person.
Good car, good value. Not everybody hates a the CVT because it works well in daily driving which is this car’s mission. Is it more fun to drive a $60,000 car to the grocery store? Nope, unless your goal in life is to impress the kid chasing empty carts in the parking lot. This is a very good car for the mundane daily drive to work, grocery store, dry cleaners, gym, and friends’ homes that nearly car owner undertakes.
Why fret about the CVT? Nearly 100% of your driving is done at partial throttle and it’s just fine.
This is absolutely one of the attainable dream cars once I truly need to replace one of our dying 15+ year old cars while still paying down student loans and saving for our first home.
It so important I think when talking about Subaru is the AWD is full time.
That means wasting gasoline full time
@@David_Journey When you need it you have it. Where I live that's a fair trade off. I'm still seeing 30+ in my Impreza so I don't loose sleep over it.
Another excellent review by THE most honest, frank and knowledgeable vehicle reviewers anywhere. Thanks guys, er, GEESE!
Wouldn’t trade my Mazda 3 AWD for this. I live in far northern New England (2 miles from Canada) and when paired with quality winter tires the Mazda performs flawlessly… the Mazda is just overall a lot nicer, the 6 speed slush box is vastly better then any CVT. Makes an otherwise dull 50 mile one way commute slightly better… in the summer I ride motorcycles the vast majority of time. If I want to have fun that’s what I do…
They admitted the Mazda is nicer, but you pay more for it.
How about winter tires and 2WD in your environment? How much better really AWD is?
@@David_Journey our other car is a Passat which is FWD, had a Tiguan SE 4motion before that. Has Nokian Hakkapelita’s on it as well and it does fine. AWD is mainly nice to accelerate from a stop, good winters matter more then AWD in general driving in snowy conditions. We had a 2008 Impreza when my wife and I first got together a decade ago and for normal commuting the Mazda is just as good. In terms of grip, our 2014 Lancer SE AWC was the best car we’ve had when the ACD was locked in 4 low, that thing would plow through any snowy conditions. Put Nokians on all of the cars mentioned and they all do fine in the snow, for general commuting they are all perfectly fine. The Mazda is just the nicest to drive of the bunch which is why I like it, the interior is nice, and it’s a really sharp looking little car.
I own one and I have to be honest, I fully expected you guys to shit all over the car like so many other reviews have done. They pit on their rose colored glasses and want to compare it to the old 2.5RS that we were only given to shut us up since we didnt get the wrx in the USA. Iwas very refreshing to hear you review the car for what it was actually intended to be. This is no race car. Its not the perfect 1 car for an enthusiast. What it is, is a perfect commuter car for someone who refuses to drive some refrigerator SUV\CUV. Hatchback versatility, comfort, good looks, good tech, and adequate performance along with the best awd on the market. It can be the perfect vehicle for your average commuter. In my case as an enthusiast it is a great addition to my fun cars. With a mustang and BRZ to drive for fun, the impreza RS makes a better car for hauling the family and is amazing in any kind of weather. It really is a great value for the money.
Understand that Subaru articles tend to attract Subaru-hater trolls, and savagegeese & Co. realize that. Soooo - they kept it real.
@@eskieman3948 As an owner of 2 late model Subarus. A 2022 BRZ and a 2024 impreza RS, I can confirm that they do deserve a good deal of the hate they get. They have a cult following, which I thought was odd for an unreliable brand. But I suppose even Alpha Romeo and Jaguar have their fans as well.
I do enjoy my Subarus. But have had my share of problems with both already.
@@boost331What KIND of problems, please?
@@4orrcountry BRZ has has the same front suspension problem twice. Sway bar links come loose and bang around making a bunch of noise. Around 12k miles the timing cover developed a pretty bad oil leak. Dealership had to pull the engine out to fix it.
The impreza had a bad wheel bearing with only 3k miles. They replaced the entire hub assembly. The rear diff is now grinding with 7k miles. I have to bring it in again, but havent.
8:32 THANK GOD it runs as an ACTUAL CVT instead of a fake auto.
I *hate* how it sounds pinned at near-redline, but... Gotta give them credit for being a rare CVT that actually gets the benefits of a CVT.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon CVTs pretending to be an auto infuriates me. Why bother with a CVT if you negate all its plusses by making it a fake auto that's worse than an actual auto?
@@JaySee5Hard agree.
I need to comment on "head bob" that mazda, and now Subaru is obsessed with. Never once have I complained about my head moving side to side at any time in my life. Like most humans, my head is somewhat self stabilizing. However what does suck is being slammed in the head 3x per second by the headrest in my cx30 because it protrudes so far past the plane of the backrest combined with poor fore-aft motion control . Maybe mazda should focus less on headbob, and more on not giving me a concussion. Also the cx30.should have faster steering for how heavy the steering is. And better sun visors. And the retractable center console armrest is stupid and is already breaking.
Does the VW GTI get taken out of the comparison conversation due to cost and no AWD? If they kept the standard Golf maybe that would be a competitor?
Price and segment, I suppose. I think the comparison for the GTI would be the WRX.
Civic has no AWD either. So I would say it is technically a competitor. The civic is just the top dog.
@@Bigern2998 GTI is over 70HP more. the GTI compares more to a WRX or Civic Si than a base Civic or the Imprezza.
@@KeithSchwerin makes sense. It is a vastly more exciting car.
The easter eggs you guys put in these videos are unmatched. 3:17 - fidget spinner / Vape song had my dying
I have a soft spot for hatchbacks. I would definitely buy this vehicle if I were in the market for a sedan/hatchback.
Car aside, wow those interior shots @ 2:42 .... Almost thought it was a manufacurer rendering
Kind of mind bogling in times of 1.x liter 3 zylinders making more power and being more efficient they stick with a terrible 2.5 that can do neither. Also now that they removed the AC knobs i guess even subaru died now
NA engines will last a lot longer than turbos.
wild how they refuse to do a hatch WRX . Imagine this body with the 2.4L Turbo - now that's a family car
Make it an STI hatch and I'll check it out.
everyone wants it but keep dreaming
The cargo space is “similar” to the Crosstrek? Is it not the same body now? It was.
You guys do informative videos.
Hope Subaru brings the manuals back! Glad I got mine in 22!
Your video helped me decide on my 22 6-speed Crosstrek.
Thanks you for your content!
I would heavily consider the RS if it had a manual as a daily. My only other hatch manual option would be the GTI since there is only a $1000 difference between that and the civic hatch in Canada. I would rather have the sportier car.
Subaru marketing w anchors hate you and your patriarchal/heteronormative MT desires
I looked at the Impreza recently, as I've been shopping after sadly hitting a deer with my 2012 Mazda 3 MT. As I live in a snowy, rural area and often go to trailheads, AWD is appealing. I felt unenthused by it, however, especially with the CVT and very large but ineffective screen in the dash. One aspect I rarely see mentioned is that the insurance quote was very high compared to the others I requested, even for the base model. I also test drove a Mazda 3 hatch but was mixed. I felt it wanted to wow me with luxury but was no longer as involving to drive, and I disliked the poor visibility. I liked the Civic hatch the best, but it's very difficult to find a manual, while the CVT and Honda's recent issues concern me. I'd like something like an Audi or VW All-Road, but the ownership cost and reliability gamble keep me away. So, while it hurts my soul to say it, I might have to swallow my pride and look to a CUV or small SUV. For fun I'll have my mountain bike?
I understand CVTs but man I hate hearing a buzzy 4 cylinder stuck at 4500rpms for 10 seconds
Well done review. I like listening to the two points of view from two knowledgeable people.
This car feels like such a missed opportunity for something a bit more sportier
thats what the wrx is
@@kingsleyzissou5881but very oddly not in this body form like yesteryear.... we're talking quite a few years now I realize!
I have a ‘21 Sport that’s AMAZING in the snow, and I live in Northern Utah where we got over 900” in the mountains last year. I snowboard, so this is paramount. Literally drive into blizzards all the time and I’m passing stuck 4x4s with ease.
It’s a great hatch for frugal buyers who need sure-footed grip. Seriously, it’s very impressive with snow tires. It also corners nicely in the canyons.
It is slow as a turtle though so not good for enthusiasts. I do drive mine up past 9k in altitude and it does fine if you just drive slow.
Get this thing if your local snowfall is measured in feet. Otherwise, buy a turbo-4 eco engine car with fwd and you’ll be much happier.
Lastly, mine is 3 years old with 25k on the odometer and it has only lost 2.5k in value. Basically 10% depreciation over 3 years, which is phenomenal.
Perfect vehicle for those who aren't into cars.
Hard as it is for us to relate to it, that's most Americans.
I had a 2008 Impreza 2.5RX sedan. Totally reliable (never missed a beat) and would handle any road condition but it was truly the most boring appliance I've ever had. Kudos to Subaru for being able to sell this car at the price they do and for keeping some worthwhile differences in their line-up. Thanks as always to Mark and Jack for bringing us tests of vehicles real people can afford.
" was truly the most boring appliance I've ever had" That sounds like someone who has never driven a 2.slow Volkswagen Jetta or a Nissan Altima!
If this had a 200-220HP 2.5L and a 6spd manual or AT LEAST the CVT SPT tuning it could be a fun car to drive and an Si competitor. Then I'd say it was worthy of the RS name.
or use the brz’ 2.4
Unlikely to be affordable then. Tradeoffs.
As they don't specifically call this the 2.6RS thenthe 2.4 was an option sure. @@tinhinnh
@@gabrieliacoboni6951it's currently 2-3k less than a Civic Si. So even at 29-32k it would be competitive in the sporty sport compact market. A 91oct tune and 6spd are easily done. They already have the parts so minimal R&D would need to be done. The "SPT" is just better CVT tuning. So that could likely also be adapted in some form.
I like the look of this car. I like that it is not pretending to be something it is not. I do not like the exterior styling of the Honda you compared this car to for example. I would like a manual trans, but not if it is like the manual in my 2016 Forester. The gearing in that car is all about better fuel economy. First and reverse are way to tall, while both 5 and 6 are overdrive. I think that is the price we pay for the way the government does fuel economy standards. So in the case of this car the CVT is ok. Thanks for the thoughtful review.
This npc car is all the car the majority of people actually need and it costs under $30,000…
My 2017 Impreza Sport was a nice car, fun to drive (handling-wise) and reasonably smooth and quiet. My only real compaint was it's 152 hp engine. It was surprisingly strong for what it was, but you had to really wind it out to get it to go with any real impetus. I ended up selling it and buying a 2022 Outback Onyx XT and I have no regrets. But we're talking the diff between a low-mid $20k car compared to a $40k car with a 260 hp turbo. But it's great to see the Impreza getting a little more love, and engine options, these days.
This car needed a 6speed and a manual handbrake, couldve been sold as "WRX-lite"