The 2022 Subaru Impreza is available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. Features are generally the same for both body styles. The four trims available are the base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. For 2022, the Limited trim level is only available in the four-door hatchback body style.
The Impreza is Subaru’s long-running small sedan and hatchback, serving for years as the Japanese automaker’s smallest and most affordable model. The current-generation Impreza made its debut in 2017, and while that doesn’t seem all that long ago, Subaru has updated most of its other models since 2017, including the Outback and Forester SUVs and the Legacy sedan.
The fifth-generation Impreza may not be as hip as its WRX and STI kin, but it’s still a compelling value with quirky features not found in many new compacts. For the 2022 model year, it’s available as a four-door sedan or five-door wagon and is Subaru’s least expensive model.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Impreza is a tortoise in a class of hares, with a four-cylinder engine that makes 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, of course. With little low-end punch, both the sedan and hatchback require considerable goading to keep the engine where it needs to be to make power. The five-speed manual transmission on our Impreza Sport sedan performed less lethargic than the CVT of our long-term Sport hatch, but we actually prefer the automatic, due to the manual’s notchy and imprecise nature.
The 2022 Subaru Impreza strikes a near-perfect balance between ride and handling. The body doesn’t lean in turns, and the quick steering gives the compact car an additional sense of verve. We found the Subaru Impreza Sport’s relatively firm brake pedal and short stopping distance during emergency braking situations to be exemplary for the class.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Choose any Impreza with the CVT and you’ll be pleased with its fuel economy. Opt for the manual transmission, though, and you’ll visit your local gas station more frequently. The most efficient Impreza earns 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, per the EPA; the least-efficient model—a hatchback with a manual transmission—is rated for 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
Our manual-equipped Impreza Sport sedan managed 30 mpg in our real-world highway fuel-economy test. For context, the nonhybrid Toyota Corolla achieved an impressive 41 mpg, albeit with an automatic transmission. For more information about Impreza’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2022 Subaru Impreza‘s interior may be short in style, but it’s tops in design. Easy-to-read gauges, simple controls, and an intuitive climate-control system make this car a breeze to operate. Additionally, the cabin benefits from soft-touch plastics, cushy armrests, and impressive fit and finish. Passenger volume is class-competitive, and tall drivers will appreciate the model’s ample front-seat legroom.
The cargo areas of both the Impreza sedan and hatchback are on the smaller side of the class and there aren’t a lot of places to store small personal items in the cabin, but you can fold down the 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional cargo space when you need it.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Impreza includes key infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While the base and Premium models feature a 6.5-inch touchscreen, the Sport and Limited trims are equipped with an 8.0-inch unit. Both systems boast logical menu structures and crisp graphics.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Subaru equips automatic-transmission models with its EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies. Buyers of the manual are out of luck. For more information about 2022 Subaru Impreza’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
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