2017 Subaru Impreza review
Subaru Impreza highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Generous headroom and legroom for backseat passengers
- All-wheel drive is standard
- Smartphone integration is standard
Cons
- Cabin feel worse than many rivals
- Slow acceleration
- Driver-assist features are only available on higher trims
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 30 highway, 25 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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Confident driving with a compact sedan
If you're looking for a handsome compact sedan with standard all-wheel drive, a roomy cabin, and a little bit of rally pedigree under the hood, the 2017 Subaru Impreza could be right for you. Its standard 2.0L engine is very capable and you get a huge range of features spread across four trim levels and two body styles—sedan and five-door. This is a car that's suitable for running errands, a little light off-roading, and for putting your foot down during your commute.
All Subaru Impreza years
What is new for the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
- The Impreza is available in a new trim called the Sport.
- The 2.0I Sport Limited and 2.0I Sport Premium trims have been discontinued for 2017.
- Impreza trims have been upgraded with Smart Key, Power Seat(s), Bluetooth Technology, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
- Rear Sunshade, Full Roof Rack, Harman Kardon Sound, and Rockford Fosgate Sound features are now available as options on select trims.
- The 2.0I Limited trim now comes with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment.
- The 2.0I Premium trim now comes with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment.
2017 Subaru Impreza trims
2.0i
Includes a five-speed manual transmission or optional Lineartronic® CVT, 16-inch steel wheels, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, a 6.5-inch high definition touchscreen, cloth upholstery, a six-way manual driver seat, power windows, electronic cruise control, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming, a four-speaker audio system, and more.
Premium
Adds standard Lineartronic CVT, paddle shifters, 16-inch alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors, six-speaker audio, heated exterior mirrors and front seats, a windshield wiper de-icer, auto-on/off headlights, welcome lighting, and more.
Sport
Adds active torque vectoring, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, a trunk spoiler, body-color side rocker spoilers, LED daytime running lights, an eight-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and ignition, a Harman Kardon audio system, and more.
Limited
Includes premium trim features, and adds LED steering responsive headlights, leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-way power driver seat, automatic climate
Subaru Impreza photos
5 reasons to buy the 2017 Subaru Impreza
1. All-Weather traction
The standard all-wheel drive means you get fantastic traction, no matter the weather. This gives you peace of mind on wet roads or when driving through snow. As a bonus, it also gives you great traction and handling in dry conditions, too. The symmetrical AWD paired with the standard electronic stability control and traction control system means you get fantastic grip no matter where you are.
2. Great standard features
Even on the base model, you get a range of great standard features. The 2.0i trim features Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth® streaming. If you're looking for a little more, the Premium trim adds heated seats, welcome lighting, and a six-speaker audio system. Whichever trim you like the look of, you know it'll be well equipped and comfortable inside.
3. Lots of passenger space
With 99.8 cu ft of passenger space in the sedan, the 2017 Subaru Impreza has room for everyone and their things. If you need a little more space, keep an eye out for the five-door model, which has 20.8 cu ft of room in the trunk. In the sedan, you get 12.3 cu ft of cargo space, which is plenty if you need to load up for that next camping trip while still having enough space for your whole crew.
4. Available convenience features
Subaru's EyeSight® suite of convenience features offers a wide range of driver assistance technology. This is great if you often do long drives or spend a lot of time on the highway. Adaptive cruise control will make driving simple by not only setting your speed but the distance from the car ahead, too. Lane departure warning and lane-keep assist are also great features if you want a little peace of mind when you're on the road.
5. Go longer between stops
On any road trip or long drive, you might choose to stop for snacks or a bathroom break but the Impreza doesn't require frequent fuel stops. The 2017 Impreza Premium trim sedan with the 2.0L engine and automatic CVT has an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2017 Subaru Impreza, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
With three engine options available across all 2017–2019 models, you may find an Elantra to suit you. There's a punchy little 1.4L turbo available on the Elantra Eco (from 2017) but it has a trick up its sleeve with a drive mode selector; switch to Sport mode and you may be surprised how much fun you can have with this little engine. There's also a standard 2.0L engine and a 1.6L turbo that's available on the Sport model. Inside all 2017 models onwards, you get abundant tech features and a comfortable cabin.
Look out for these standard features on all 2017–2019 Hyundai Elantra Limited models:
17-inch alloy wheels
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Heated front seats
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert
The Kia Forte sedan is a great choice if you're looking for something compact enough for city life but with enough space inside for you and your passengers. 2017–2019 Fortes come in three trim levels: LX, S, and EX. From 2017, the mid-range S model gives you a slightly sportier ride with a little more tech inside but shares the same standard 147 hp 2.0L engine as the base LX model. Jump up to the EX for a more powerful 2.0L engine with 167 hp and even more tech—including driver-assist features.
Here's what you'll find on all 2017–2019 Kia Forte S models:
Sport-tuned suspension
Rearview camera
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Cruise control
Air conditioning
If you're after the good looks of a midsize car but need the flexibility of a hatchback, the 2017–2018 Volkswagen Golf can be a great choice. It's a smart city car with a range of options and trim levels including the fierce Golf GTI and Golf R hot hatches. If you need a bit more room, the SportWagon version features 66.5 cu ft of cargo space behind the front seats (all 2017–2019 models). This is perfect if you regularly haul bulky items or just need space for luggage for that vacation with your favorite person.
Look out for these features on the based 2017–2019 Volkswagen Golf:
Front seat lumbar support
Rearview camera
Bluetooth streaming
6.5-inch touchscreen display
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Five-speed manual transmission (with optional automatic transmission available)
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru Impreza an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru Impreza 35th out of 46 among Compact Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru ImprezaSubaru Impreza features and specs
Sport 4WD/AWD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Automated Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Full Roof Rack
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Lane Departure Warning
- Rockford Fosgate Sound
- Sunroof(s)
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
152
Torque (ft-lbs)
145
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
13.2
Wheelbase
105.1"
Overall length
175.6"
Width
70"
Height
58.9"
Leg room
F 43.1"/R 36.5"
Head room
F 39.8"/R 38"
Front tires
P225/40VR18
Rear tires
P225/40VR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2017 Subaru Impreza FAQ
The 2017 Impreza has standard all-wheel drive, offering great traction and responsive steering. With tires appropriate for the conditions, this is a great combination for driving in snow.
You'll want to avoid hair-raising off-road driving and mountain climbs, but you should be fine taking a forest pathway or dirt track to a camping ground thanks to the standard AWD.
According to the manufacturer, the 2017 Impreza Sport has a 0-60 time of 9 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph.
All 2017 Subaru Impreza sedans feature a 2.0L engine. The 2.0i base model with CVT, has an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when the vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
The 2017 Impreza Sport trim has some notable sporty upgrades, including sports-tuned suspension, active torque vectoring, trim exclusive interior and exterior styling, and the option of a short-shift manual transmission, if that's your thing.
More about the 2017 Subaru Impreza
Exterior colors:
Carbide Gray (Metallic)
Crystal Black (Silica)
Crystal White (Pearl)
Ice Silver (Metallic)
Island Blue (Pearl)
Lapis Blue (Pearl)
Lithium Red (Pearl)
Venetian Red (Pearl)
Interior colors:
Black Cloth
Black Leather
Black Sport Cloth
Ivory Cloth
Ivory Leather
Interior details
The roomy interior of the 2017 Subaru Impreza offers 43.1 inches of legroom in the front and 36.5 inches in the back. This is plenty of space all round for adults and children alike. Depending on the trim, you'll find either cloth or leather inside; the Limited trim offers leather-trimmed upholstery plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle. The Sport trim also has the leather-wrapped wheel and shifter but has a sporty cloth interior with red stitching. In the trunk of the sedan, you'll find 12.3 cu ft while the five-door opens this up to 20.8 cu ft.
Performance
All models come standard with all-wheel drive for extra grip and dynamic handling. According to the manufacturer, the 2017 Impreza Sport has a 0-60 time of 9 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph. All 2017 Subaru Impreza sedans feature a 2.0L engine. The 2.0i base model with CVT has an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined.
Emissions Info
According to EPA estimates, the AWD 2017 Subaru Impreza with a 2.0L engine and five-speed manual transmission has tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions of 331 grams per mile, while the AWD 2.0L model with automatic transmission has tailpipe emissions of 282 grams per mile.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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