The Subaru Impreza is the only compact car in its segment that comes standard with all-wheel drive on every trim at every price point — and for South Shore Long Island drivers who deal with beach sand, marina parking lots, and Suffolk County winters, that distinction is more meaningful than it might sound in a spec sheet. The current fifth-generation Impreza is the most refined the model has ever been, with a redesigned interior, a new 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen, and EyeSight pre-collision braking now standard across the lineup. This guide covers the sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles, every trim from Base through Sport, the AWD system’s real-world performance, and what certified pre-owned Imprezas look like at South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst.
Bottom Line: The Subaru Impreza is the best compact car for buyers who want standard AWD, proven safety technology, and long-term reliability without paying SUV prices.
- Symmetrical AWD standard on every trim — unique in the compact car segment
- EyeSight pre-collision braking now standard across all 2026 models
- Available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback for flexible cargo options
- Modest 152 hp engine prioritizes efficiency and reliability over performance
What’s in This Guide
- Impreza Overview and Current Generation
- Sedan vs. 5-Door: Which Body Style Is Right for You?
- Trim Levels at a Glance
- Powertrain and AWD System
- Impreza Trim Levels: Base to Sport Explained
- Impreza vs. Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla
- EyeSight Safety on the Impreza
- Impreza in South Shore Winters
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Certified Pre-Owned Impreza on Long Island
- Why South Shore Drivers Choose the Impreza
- Why Buy at South Shore Subaru
- FAQ
Impreza Overview and Current Generation
The current fifth-generation Impreza (GU) launched for 2023 with a comprehensive redesign that addressed the most common criticisms of its predecessor: the infotainment screen was too small, the interior felt dated, and the Impreza lacked the visual identity needed to compete with the more stylistic Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Subaru’s response was a completely new instrument panel, an 11.6-inch portrait-orientation touchscreen, revised exterior styling with a lower hood line and more athletic proportions, and — most significantly — EyeSight pre-collision braking standardized across the entire lineup from the base model up.
The result is an Impreza that competes head-to-head with the best compact cars on interior quality and technology while retaining the one advantage that no competitor can match: standard Symmetrical AWD with no upcharge and no optional upgrade path required. Honda’s Civic is front-wheel drive. The Toyota Corolla AWD is available on one trim at a premium. The Mazda3 AWD adds cost and is available on limited configurations. The Impreza is all-wheel drive from $19,875.
The fifth-generation Impreza was also engineered with improved crash rigidity, using Subaru’s Global Platform that also underpins the Crosstrek and Forester. The platform’s improved torsional rigidity (41% better than the previous generation) contributes to handling precision, noise reduction, and structural protection in crashes — benefits that show up in the Impreza’s IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Sedan vs. 5-Door: Which Body Style Is Right for You?
The 5-door hatchback is the more versatile choice for most South Shore buyers. Its fold-flat rear seats create a wide, flat cargo floor that easily accommodates beach chairs, surf equipment, a dog crate, or the kind of load that ends up in the back of a practical everyday car. The hatchback’s rear opening is also wider and lower than the sedan’s trunk, making loading heavy or awkward items simpler.
The sedan is the choice for buyers who prioritize a traditional compact car appearance and use the car primarily for commuting. Its conventional trunk — 12.1 cubic feet — is adequate for grocery runs and travel bags but falls short of the hatchback’s utility when the rear seats are folded. The sedan’s trunk lid is lower to the ground, which can be easier for lifting items in and out at a conventional height.
Both body styles share identical powertrains, AWD systems, safety technology, and interior quality — the only differences are the cargo arrangement and exterior proportions. South Shore buyers who regularly travel to Jones Beach, launch from Captree, or carry beach and water gear in the back will find the hatchback’s practicality pays dividends throughout the season.
Trim Levels at a Glance
| Trim | MSRP (Sedan / 5-Door) | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $19,875 / $21,475 | Symmetrical AWD, EyeSight, 11.6" touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
| Premium | ✓ $22,875 / $24,275 | Heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, alloy wheels |
| Sport | $25,875 / $27,275 | Sport styling, LED headlights, 18" alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension |
| Limited (5-door only) | — / $28,875 | Leather seating, power driver seat, Harman Kardon audio |
The Premium trim is the value sweet spot for most South Shore buyers. Adding heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to the already-strong base platform gives you the safety and convenience features that meaningfully improve daily use — all for around $3,000 over the base price. The alloy wheels are a visual upgrade that also resist the corrosion that the South Shore’s salt air accelerates on steel wheels.
The Sport trim adds aesthetic differentiation — LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and sport-tuned suspension — for buyers who want the Impreza to look more athletic. Be aware that the Sport’s firmer suspension, while appropriate for its styling intention, can feel more jarring on South Shore local roads that haven’t been recently repaved.
Powertrain and AWD System
Every Impreza uses the same powertrain: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated BOXER producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Lineartronic CVT and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD. This is a conservative setup optimized for reliability, fuel efficiency, and all-weather confidence rather than outright performance. The 152 hp is adequate for Long Island traffic and Suffolk County highway speeds; it won’t provide the turbocharged response of a Civic Si or WRX, but it also won’t add the complexity and maintenance considerations of a turbocharged system.
The Symmetrical AWD’s architecture — longitudinally mounted BOXER with equal-length driveshafts — produces no torque steer under acceleration and delivers consistent power distribution without the delay of reactive systems that only engage after wheel slip is detected. For South Shore driving conditions, particularly the wet roads after a coastal storm, the difference between predictive AWD and reactive AWD is noticeable.
Impreza Trim Levels: Base to Sport Explained
The 2026 base Impreza is the most compelling entry-level Impreza ever sold, because EyeSight is now standard across the lineup. The previous generation required buyers to move up to the Premium to access pre-collision braking; now even the base model includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane centering assist alongside the standard Symmetrical AWD and 11.6-inch infotainment system. For first-time car buyers on the South Shore looking for maximum safety at minimum price, the base Impreza sedan at $19,875 is a genuinely strong value.
The Premium adds the features that make an everyday car more comfortable: heated front seats for Suffolk County winters, blind-spot monitoring for busy South Shore traffic, and rear cross-traffic alert when backing out of driveways or parking lots. For buyers who use their car primarily as a commuter, the Premium’s practical upgrades are meaningfully better value than the Sport’s appearance-focused additions.
The Sport is worth a test drive specifically to evaluate the suspension before committing. South Shore roads vary significantly between well-maintained parkways and local streets that see substantial salt and freeze-thaw damage. The Sport’s firmer tuning rides noticeably harsher on rough surfaces — some buyers love the more athletic feel; others find it fatiguing over a daily commute. Test on your actual route before deciding.
Impreza vs. Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla
The Civic is the Impreza’s toughest competition, and the honest assessment is that it’s a better car in some ways. Honda’s turbocharged 2.0L produces significantly more power (158 hp in the standard Civic, 200 hp in the Si), the interior design is more contemporary, and the Civic’s driving dynamics are sharper and more engaging. The Civic is also front-wheel drive on all but one sport variant — and that AWD-less architecture is the Impreza’s fundamental advantage.
The Corolla competes closely on pricing and reliability reputation. Toyota’s 2.0L engine produces 169 hp on most trims — more than the Impreza’s 152 hp — and the Corolla’s ride quality is excellent. The Corolla AWD-S exists at $25,550 but uses a simpler reactive AWD system (front-biased with rear added after slip) rather than the Impreza’s predictive architecture. For South Shore buyers who never drive in snow, the Corolla is a legitimate comparison. For those who do, the Impreza’s AWD advantage is real.
For South Shore families choosing between the Impreza and its competitors, the question is straightforward: if AWD in all conditions matters, the Impreza wins at every price point. If AWD is less important and outright power or driving dynamics are the priority, the Civic is the comparison to make.
EyeSight Safety on the Impreza
EyeSight’s standardization across the entire 2026 Impreza lineup is a meaningful safety development. In prior generations, buyers on a tight budget who needed to stay at the base price point had to forgo pre-collision braking entirely. Now the $19,875 base Impreza includes the same EyeSight system — stereo cameras, Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Assist — as the top-of-the-range models.
The practical value in South Shore traffic is clearest on the congested Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) and the Southern State Parkway. EyeSight’s Adaptive Cruise Control maintains your following distance automatically in stop-and-go conditions, and Pre-Collision Braking has a documented real-world safety impact — Subaru’s data shows a 61% reduction in rear-end crashes for EyeSight-equipped vehicles.
The one EyeSight characteristic to understand is its camera-based detection. Unlike radar systems, EyeSight’s cameras can be obstructed by heavy accumulation on the windshield in a snowstorm. The system alerts you when cameras lose function, and a heating system is included to mitigate accumulation — but cleaning the windshield before departure in heavy snow conditions is recommended.
Impreza in South Shore Winters
The Impreza’s Symmetrical AWD transforms the car’s winter capability relative to any front-wheel-drive competitor at the same price. On the South Shore, where winter precipitation comes in as rain and sleet as often as snow — creating the worst possible traction conditions — having AWD engage before any wheel slip is detected gives the Impreza a significant safety advantage on Route 112, Ocean Avenue, and the local streets that run between the Great South Bay and Sunrise Highway.
AWD is not a substitute for appropriate tires. The factory all-season tires handle moderate South Shore winter conditions well, but for heavy snowfall or repeated exposure to icy conditions, dedicated winter tires on a second set of wheels provide a meaningful improvement in stopping distance and directional stability. South Shore Subaru can assist with winter wheel-and-tire packages sized to the Impreza.
The Impreza’s ground clearance — 8.3 inches on Base/Premium, 8.7 inches on Sport — is lower than the Crosstrek or Forester but adequate for normal Suffolk County winter accumulation. It’s not designed for deep snow traversal; it’s designed to give you confident, predictable handling in the conditions that South Shore roads actually produce in January and February.
Total Cost of Ownership
The Impreza is one of the lowest-cost vehicles to own over five years in the compact car segment. The naturally aspirated 2.0L BOXER runs on regular fuel — no premium required — with oil changes at 6,000-mile intervals using full synthetic. Subaru’s long-term reliability reputation is well-established; the current generation BOXER engine does not carry the head gasket concerns of older Subaru motors, and the CVT has proven itself reliable with proper fluid maintenance.
Insurance rates for the Impreza are among the lowest in the compact car class, reflecting both its safety ratings and the generally responsible driving profile of its owners. The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating means insurers price the Impreza favorably relative to competitors with lower safety scores.
Resale value is consistent and predictable, holding approximately 45–50% of value at five years. The used Impreza market reflects steady demand from buyers who want AWD at compact car prices — a segment the Impreza effectively owns. South Shore Subaru’s certified pre-owned inventory regularly carries low-mileage Impreza examples in Premium trim that represent strong value purchases.
Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Impreza on Long Island
CPO Imprezas at South Shore Subaru offer the complete Subaru certified pre-owned benefits — 152-point inspection, 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage from the original sale date, and Subaru Added Security roadside assistance — on one of the most reliable compact cars in the market. The 2023+ GU generation (current platform) is the CPO generation to target, as it includes standardized EyeSight and the updated infotainment system.
When evaluating a CPO Impreza, verify the following: EyeSight camera calibration after any windshield work (camera alignment is critical to system accuracy), CVT fluid change history (Subaru recommends replacement at 30,000 miles under severe conditions), and tire condition and wear pattern consistency across all four corners. Uneven wear on an AWD vehicle can indicate alignment or differential issues.
The 5-door hatchback holds its value slightly better than the sedan in the used market, reflecting South Shore buyers’ preference for cargo flexibility. If resale value is a significant factor in your purchase decision, the 5-door Premium is often the strongest combination.
Why South Shore Drivers Choose the Impreza
The Impreza’s AWD makes sense for the South Shore lifestyle in ways that aren’t obvious until you’ve owned it. Launching a kayak at Heckscher State Park, driving on the sand at Robert Moses for a fishing permit holder, or navigating the Captree causeway in a winter nor’easter — these are conditions where the Impreza’s standard AWD is a quietly reassuring feature rather than an upsell. No Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla provides this at any price.
The 5-door hatchback’s cargo flexibility is specifically valuable for South Shore families who use their car for beach runs, surf sessions, or the kind of mixed-load hauling that coastal Long Island life generates. Fold the rear seats, throw in a cooler, beach chairs, and a bag of wetsuits, and the Impreza handles it without the fuel cost of an SUV.
Fuel efficiency of 28 city / 36 highway makes the Impreza one of the most cost-effective daily drivers available for Suffolk County commuters on Route 27, the Southern State, or the Babylon/Montauk branch LIRR connection routes. At a time when gas prices in Nassau and Suffolk County consistently run above the national average, the Impreza’s efficiency adds up.
Why Buy at South Shore Subaru
South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst serves Babylon, West Islip, Bay Shore, Copiague, and Amityville with the full Subaru lineup including the complete Impreza range across both body styles and all trims. Nico Levinas and the team understand what South Shore buyers need: practical capability for coastal driving conditions, reliable service for vehicles that see salt air year-round, and honest guidance on which trim and body style fits real South Shore use.
VIP+ membership at South Shore Subaru includes lifetime complimentary oil changes and tire rotations, free loaner vehicles during service visits, and Subaru-certified technicians who know the BOXER engine’s specific maintenance requirements. For an Impreza serving as a family’s daily driver, reliable access to no-cost routine maintenance keeps the ownership cost calculations straightforward.
Browse new Impreza inventory at South Shore Subaru or explore certified pre-owned options. Schedule a test drive — ask to compare the sedan and 5-door hatchback side by side.
"A lot of our Impreza buyers are surprised by how practical it is, especially the 5-door. AWD comes standard, EyeSight is now on every model, and the price is genuinely affordable. It checks every box for South Shore families who want reliability without overcomplicating the decision."
General Manager, South Shore Subaru
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subaru Impreza AWD on all trims? Yes. Every 2026 Impreza — Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited — includes Symmetrical AWD as standard equipment. There is no front-wheel-drive Impreza option in the U.S. market. This makes the Impreza unique among compact cars in its price range.
Sedan or 5-door — which should I choose? For South Shore buyers who regularly carry gear, beach equipment, or need cargo flexibility, the 5-door hatchback is the more practical choice. The sedan suits buyers who prefer conventional compact car proportions and primarily commute without heavy cargo needs. Both share identical powertrains and safety technology.
Does the 2026 Impreza have EyeSight on the base trim? Yes. Starting with the 2023 GU generation refresh, EyeSight — including Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Centering Assist — is standard across all Impreza trims, including the base model.
How does the Impreza compare to the Subaru Crosstrek? The Crosstrek is built on the same platform with a slightly raised ride height (8.7” ground clearance vs. the Impreza’s 8.3”), available turbo engine, and a more SUV-like silhouette. The Impreza is lower, more fuel-efficient, and less expensive. If ground clearance and higher seating position are priorities, the Crosstrek is the better choice; if you want a traditional sedan or hatchback with Subaru’s AWD at the lowest entry price, the Impreza is correct.
Is regular or premium fuel required? Regular (87 octane) fuel. The Impreza’s 2.0L naturally aspirated BOXER does not require premium fuel — an operating cost advantage over turbocharged competitors that specify premium.
What is the Impreza’s cargo volume in the 5-door? With rear seats up, the 5-door carries 20.8 cubic feet. With rear seats folded, it expands to 55.3 cubic feet — more than double, and significantly more practical than the sedan’s fixed 12.1 cubic feet. For beach gear, sports equipment, or anything larger than luggage, the 5-door is the better choice.
How long do Subaru Imprezas last? With proper maintenance, Subaru Imprezas routinely reach 200,000 miles. The naturally aspirated BOXER engine is less mechanically stressed than turbocharged alternatives, and Subaru’s maintenance intervals are straightforward to follow. The certified pre-owned program’s 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage reflects Subaru’s confidence in the drivetrain’s long-term durability.
Visit All Three Subaru Locations
- South Shore Subaru - Lindenhurst, NY
- Grand Prix Subaru - Hicksville, NY
- Mid Hudson Subaru - Wappingers Falls, NY
Ready to find your Impreza? Browse new inventory or explore certified pre-owned options at South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst — and ask about VIP+ membership when you visit.