Subaru Crosstrek Vs. Subaru Impreza: Which Is Better?
Ethan Moser
· 7 min read
The Subaru Impreza is more affordable than the Subaru Crosstrek—but the Crosstrek comes out on top in terms of powertrain options and reliability ratings.
Although the Subaru Crosstrek is a subcompact crossover SUV and the Subaru Impreza is a sedan/hatchback, the two models have a lot in common—including their base engines, continuously variable automatic transmissions, and standard all-wheel drivetrains.
Both models are practical, fuel efficient, and offer an impressive suite of driver assistance and infotainment features. But which one of these models is the best new Subaru for you?
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Crosstrek vs. Impreza: which is more expensive?
The starting MSRP for the base 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is $24,320—approximately $4,000 more expensive than the base 2022 Impreza with a starting MSRP of $20,290.
It’s no surprise that the Crosstrek is slightly more expensive considering it’s an SUV and the Impreza is a sedan/hatchback. The two models stay relatively close in price through their respective trim levels—except for the Crosstrek Hybrid, which is significantly more expensive and not matched by a hybrid powertrain on the Impreza. Let’s take a closer look:
Model | Starting MSRP | Model | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
Crosstrek Base | $24,320 | Impreza Base | $20,290 |
Crosstrek Premium | $24,720 | Impreza Premium | $23,155 |
Crosstrek Sport | $27,920 | Impreza Sport | $23,995 |
Crosstrek Limited | $29,420 | Impreza Limited | $27,355 |
Crosstrek Hybrid | $36,770 |
Ownership costs
While the price comparisons between the Crosstrek and the Impreza are fairly neck-and-neck, it’s essential to understand that financing a car is about more than its initial price tag. To better understand the true cost of owning a vehicle, let’s take a look at the five-year ownership costs estimated by Edmunds for each model, including their various body type and transmission configurations.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversYou can see here that, despite being nearly $10,000 more expensive upfront than the top-tier Impreza Limited, the Crosstrek Hybrid is less expensive to finance and insure in the first five years by a few hundred bucks. This is partially due to federal tax credits that are given to drivers who choose to finance a hybrid vehicle—like this Crosstrek—over a gas-powered one.
Insurance costs
As you can see from comparing
Subaru Crosstrek insurance costs
and Subaru Impreza insurance costs
in the table above, the Crosstrek is once again cheaper in the long run.Crosstrek owners can expect to pay an average of $873 a year for car insurance, or approximately $73 a month. Meanwhile, Subaru Impreza owners should be prepared to pay an average of $912 a year for car insurance coverage—or $76 a month.
Winner: Subaru Crosstrek
In terms of outright affordability, the Subaru Impreza seems like the obvious choice. But when we start to look at the long-term ownership and insurance costs, the more affordable of the two models is the Subaru Crosstrek.
Subaru Crosstrek vs. Impreza: In-Depth Comparison
Looking beyond the price tags, which model—the Subaru Crosstrek or Impreza—is the better model? In this section, we’ll run through all the specs you might miss at the dealership to determine which Subaru gives you the most bang for your buck.
Body style and size
The Crosstrek and the Impreza are very similar in size despite their different body types. The Crosstrek is a subcompact crossover SUV, and ever so slightly larger than the Impreza, which is available as a sedan and a hatchback. That difference in size, however, is minuscule in most specs—only a fraction of an inch.
Dimensions | 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 2022 Subaru Impreza |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 104.9 inches | 105.1 inches |
Passenger volume | 100.9 cubic feet | 100.9 cubic feet |
Headroom (front/rear) | 39.8/38 inches | 39.8/36.5 inches |
Legroom (front/rear) | 43.1/36.5 inches | 43.1/36.5 inches |
Cargo volume w/seats up | 20.8 cubic feet | 20.8 cubic feet |
Cargo volume w/seats down | 55.3 cubic feet | 55.3 cubic feet |
Ground clearance | 8.7 inches | 5.1 inches |
Base curb weight | 3,188 lbs | 2,976 lbs |
Engine and performance
The Subaru Crosstrek offers drivers the choice of three unique powertrain options compared to the single standard engine available on the Impreza.
The Crosstrek comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This same base engine is the one you’ll find under the hood of every 2022 Subaru Impreza model, regardless of trim level.
From there, the Crosstrek offers a more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter engine with 176 lb-ft or a 148-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain for an additional $7,000. The hybrid Crosstrek’s battery charges in just under five hours when paired with a standard 120-volt charger, or in just over two hours with a 240-volt onboard charger.
Both the Impreza and the Crosstrek come with standard all-wheel drive and the option between a manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT) depending on the trim level. For the Crosstrek, a six-speed manual transmission option is available on the Base and Premium trims, while a five-speed manual transmission is offered on the Impreza Base sedan, Base hatchback, and Sport hatchback models.
The bottom line? The Crosstrek has a wider range of more powerful, more eco-friendly powertrains than the Impreza, which is stuck with its base engine throughout each of its four trims.
Fuel economy
The Crosstrek and the Impreza are more or less neck-and-neck when it comes to fuel economy—at least with their base engines.
The Crosstrek offers drivers 30 mpg combined when paired with a CVT—though that number drops to 25 mpg when paired with a manual transmission. Similarly, the base Impreza engine offers 32 mpg combined with a CVT and 26 mpg with a manual transmission, making the Impreza ever-so-slightly more fuel efficient.
The real winner, of course, is the Crosstrek Hybrid. The EPA rates the hybrid model for 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving and up to 90 MPGe in hybrid mode.
Tech
The base technology package on the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek includes Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system integrated with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity all managed through a 6.5-inch touchscreen display.
The Crosstrek Limited and Hybrid models upgrade to a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio and an optional navigation system. Automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are also available for an additional cost.
The 2022 Impreza, on the other hand, comes standard with the same StarLink infotainment system, though SiriusXM radio is standard on all trims. The Impreza Sport and Limited come with an upgraded 8.0-inch touchscreen. Similarly, the Impreza offers optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, passive hands-free entry and push button start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a sunroof.
Winner: Subaru Crosstrek
Despite having essentially the same build and comparable fuel efficiency ratings on their base engines, the Crosstrek’s upgradable hybrid engine makes it more customizable than the Impreza for a variety of driving preferences. Any Crosstrek is also more affordable than its Impreza counterparts in the long run, and features higher reliability ratings from both J.D. Power and RepairPal.
How to save on Subaru insurance costs
It’s all well and good to know that the Subaru Crosstrek is the better option compared to the Impreza, but keeping your Crosstrek on top of its game means finding a reliable and affordable car insurance policy. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to find the best rates on the car insurance coverage you need when you shop using the
Jerry
app. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry provides users with custom competitive quotes on car insurance from more than 50 of the top insurance providers nationwide, all in as little as 45 seconds! And the best part? The average Jerry user saves upwards of $800 a year on their car insurance policy after switching!
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