3 Ways The New Subaru Impreza Wins Now, One Where It Takes Off In The Future

How good is the next-generation 2024 Subaru Impreza? It's good enough to finish up slightly in December and up significantly to finish the year. I cover all of the Subaru model's year-end results, and the Impreza is a winning and losing model. 

The next-generation 2024 Subaru Impreza hatch is good now, but it could be much better in the future. Before I tell you why, here are the results for December and the year-end finish.

As I reported in Subaru of America's year-end report, the new Impreza is gaining ground.

Impreza by the numbers.

The Subaru Impreza compact hatchback slightly increased (1.1%) in December. Impreza is the fifth best-selling model as SOA delivered 2,523 compact hatch models to customers in December compared with 2,495 sales in December 2022. 

Impreza is now up 12.6 percent to finish the year with 34,719 compact models sold in 2023.

How does the Impreza stack up against Subaru's other models?

Top-tier models 

• Outback - 161,814
• Crosstrek - 159,193
• Forester - 152,566 

Second-tier models

• Ascent - 60,543
• Impreza - 34,719
• Legacy - 25,510
• WRX - 24,681
• Solterra - 8,872
• BRZ - 4,188

The new 2024 Impreza is second among Subaru's second-tier models. The Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester are far and away the top-tier models, with sales of over 100,000 units. After the big three, there are six second-tier models. The best-selling models are all SUVs, which is not a surprise. Customers want SUVs over sedans. The Impreza sells better than Legacy, WRX, Solterra, and BRZ. The Solterra is an SUV, but the all-new EV is the brand's most expensive model. 

Here are three reasons why the Impreza is doing good

1. The Subaru Impreza is a good value. Impreza is priced well in the Subaru all-wheel-drive lineup. 
2. Subaru dropped the sedan, and the Impreza now comes in a hatchback body style. That was a smart move by Subaru. 
3. The new 2024 Impreza RS is a hot hatch. It was a good move for Subaru to offer the Impreza RS with the new 2.5-liter engine upgrade.

Here is one area where the Impreza is losing.

1. The Impreza is a compact car and not an SUV. Imagine with me if Subaru offered an all-new Impreza compact SUV trim level. It would need to be different than the Crosstrek, which shares the same platform. Right now, the Impreza is a shorter version of the Crosstrek. 

Head-To-Head 2024 Subaru Impreza RS Vs. Crosstrek Sport - Hot Hatch Or Off-Road Warrior, which new model would you pick? via @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto #subaru #impreza #crosstrek https://t.co/LSVIlQNioJ pic.twitter.com/oPddB33Hox
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) August 31, 2023

The Impreza lineup should move away from the Crosstrek in appearance. Now, they are nearly identical. Why buy an Impreza when you can get a Crosstrek with more ground clearance and off-road ability for a little more in price? Buyers are choosing the Crosstrek SUV over the compact hatch in significant numbers. 

It's time for Subaru to change the Impreza from a smaller version of the Crosstrek to a small SUV with its own identity. What if Subaru offered a hybrid or an all-electric Impreza SUV? Sales of the new model would take off. 

Your turn

Would you buy an Impreza if it were the most fuel-efficient model in Subaru of America's lineup?

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru Impreza story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

• The Most And Least Satisfying Subaru Models From New Subaru Owners
• The Hot Next-Generation Subaru Crosstrek Sets Two New Records
• The Discontinued Subaru Model You Won’t Miss In 2024

Watch the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS review // Hot enough hatch?

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA