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All-New Subaru Impreza Fails To Impress Again

The 2024 Subaru Impreza gets a complete remodel and a new hot RS trim, yet sales have dropped again. Here is why the remodeled Impreza is not taking off.
2024 Subaru Impreza drops in sales again

I have covered the new Subaru Impreza closely, and even after a complete remodel, sales dropped again. When Subaru launched the all-new 2024 Impreza compact hatchback, I thought sales would take off. Sales are up for the year but have fallen in the past two months. 

Here is what's going on with the all-new 2024 Impreza.

By the numbers

The Subaru Impreza compact hatchback increased 9.2 percent in September after being down in August. The Impreza sales dropped in October and dropped again in November. 

2024 Subaru Impreza on display

The new Impreza sales drop again

The Subaru Impreza compact hatchback decreased in November by 17.2 percent. Impreza is the fifth best-selling model as SOA delivered 2,370 compact hatchbacks to customers in November compared with 2,861 sales in November 2022. 

Even with the drop in sales, Impreza is up 13.6 percent in the first eleven months of 2023, with 32,196 compact models sold in 2023 compared with 28,351 models delivered to customers in the same time frame in 2022. 

2024 Subaru Impreza driving on a curvy highway

Here is my take on the new Impreza hatchback.

I stick with my theory that customers come looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient, sporty hatchback with utility. It's all the things compact customers are looking for. But then they take a look at the 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV.

Customers can cross-shop. 

Customers also cross-shop the all-new 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV, and many choose it over the Impreza. For a bit more money, active customers get the same Impreza platform with new upgrades but a more usable small SUV with advantages over the Impreza.

Four reasons why the Crosstrek beats the Impreza every time. 

The Crosstrek offers the same affordability, fuel efficiency, and hatchback utility but has more advantages. 

The four significant advantages are its recreational features: 

  1. Crosstrek has 8.7 inches of ground clearance 
  2. X-Mode for extreme severe-weather capability 
  3. A Sport trim with duel-function X-Mode for all-terrain capability
  4. The new outdoor-themed Crosstrek Wilderness to get further off the grid 

Check out the 2024 Crosstrek sales.

In contrast to new Impreza sales in November, the 2024 Crosstrek is the hot model in the Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup. The next-gen subcompact SUV had its best-ever November.  

Impreza can't compete with the Crosstrek.

Don't get me wrong, the 2024 Subaru Impreza is an excellent small hatchback. But, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek gives active customers more recreational options. They can get the same affordability, fuel efficiency, and hatchback utility, but they can get away from the city and further off the grid. 

The Impreza is an excellent city commuter and a mild recreational vehicle. The Impreza is no match for the hot Crosstrek subcompact SUV. 

Your turn.

Which small hatchback would you choose? Impreza or Crosstrek?

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

For additional articles related to the 2024 Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

Check out the YouTube video - Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires: When All-Season Tires On Your Subaru Is The Worst Idea in Winter

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 Canada

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Comments

Eric Orton (not verified)    December 9, 2023 - 3:13PM

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I don’t really go off road but live in Durango, CO where we can get significant snow. So on paper the Impreza makes more sense with slightly better on road handling, and good in snow.

There are some issues though where I would still pick the Crosstrek.

Speed bumps and high curbs in parking lots.
I hate scraping the front end or bottom of the car….some speed bumps are especially high. Also, I have experienced some roads with enough big pot holes that it feels like I’m off roading.

I’m only wanting AWD for the snow, and even though I use winter tires I have still gotten stuck with a FWD. Also here is what has happened to me before, I’m making a turn and there’s so much snow on the ground that I cannot see the curb and end up hitting it. I was going at slow speed, so didn’t damage the vehicle but with higher ground clearance it would be no worries.
When snow gets really bad and frozen, it creates huge ice bumps on the road that can scrape against the bottom of the car, causing potential damage.
Anyways, these are things that I never see mentioned in reviews that suggest a lower ground clearance car if you only drive in snow.

NMK (not verified)    December 11, 2023 - 11:09AM

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Impreza RS for me. I bought it for the exact reason that IT IS NOT A CUV/SUV...!! Its lower to the ground giving it better handling and a more sporty ride. I do not (nor do most crosstrek owners) go off-road or do any serious mudding. Some areas that get crazy deep snow may benefit from the extra ground clearance, but here in the midwest a car (non suv) does just fine. Heck, until my impreza I have driven RWD sports cars in the snow with winter tires. People tend to think they need much capability than they actually do.