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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Automotive

Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza is a compact car made by Subaru since 1992.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Subaru Impreza is a compact car made by Subaru since 1992. It is currently sold in North America as a hatchback with standard all-wheel drive and a CVT transmission.

What it is

The Impreza is a compact car that has been in production since 1992, replacing the Subaru Leone. It is known for its standard all-wheel drive, a rare feature in the compact segment. The current North American model is available only as a 5-door hatchback.

Key details

For the 2026 model year, the lineup is simplified to Sport and RS trims. The Sport uses a 2.0-litre flat-four engine (152 hp), while the RS gets a 2.5-litre flat-four (about 180–182 hp). Both are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2024 redesign dropped the sedan body style and manual transmission in North America.

Why it matters

The Impreza is particularly relevant for Canadian buyers. Subaru has a strong market presence in Canada, and the model’s standard all-wheel drive suits winter driving conditions. It offers a practical, affordable package with modern safety and connectivity features.

In short

  • Standard all-wheel drive in a compact car
  • Hatchback only (no sedan or manual)
  • Two engines: 2.0L and 2.5L
  • CVT automatic transmission
Canadian angle

The Impreza is relevant to Canadian buyers because Subaru has a strong market presence in Canada and the model’s standard all-wheel drive suits winter driving conditions.

Quick questions

What is the Subaru Impreza?
It is a compact car made by Subaru since 1992, currently sold in North America as a hatchback with standard all-wheel drive.
Is the Subaru Impreza a sedan or hatchback?
Current North American models are hatchbacks only. Older generations included sedans.
Does the Impreza have all-wheel drive?
Yes, standard all-wheel drive is a defining feature of the current model.

Sources

  1. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/subaru/impreza
    Supports: Current North American body style, standard AWD, trims, and engine information.
  2. Edmunds — https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/impreza/
    Supports: 2026 trim lineup, engines, CVT, and AWD.
  3. MotorTrend — https://www.motortrend.com/cars/subaru/impreza
    Supports: 2024 redesign, hatchback-only North American configuration, and removal of sedan/manual transmission.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza
    Supports: Initial launch year and generational history.