The All-New Subaru Impreza RS 2.5L - Is It A Hot Enough Hatch?

The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS compact hatchback is here, and it's the newest trim level for the Impreza lineup. The Subaru Impreza RS gets performance improvements and offers excellent value, but is it hot enough for sports car and driving enthusiasts? We will answer that question here and why there is another Subaru model to check out before you buy. 

The 2024 Subaru Impreza has been re-engineered from the ground up with advanced technology, improved handling, more advanced safety features, improved fit and finish, and very comfortable seats.

We'll look at the new 2024 Subaru Impreza RS trim level. It's the sportiest Impreza model with 18" wheels, red and black interior accents, and black exterior design elements. 

It has a more powerful 2.5-liter engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission featuring an 8-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The base engine option on the other three Impreza trims is a 2.0-liter matched to a CVT, producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. All Impreza models come standard with Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive. 

The new Impreza RS is not just an appearance package. The RS has a sport-tuned suspension upgrade, bigger brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, and SI-Drive.

How does the Impreza RS drive and handle? 

We drove the RS in the mountains of Colorado, where the air is thinner, and the road is steep. We pushed the RS up a steep incline on I-70 west of Denver at 7,500 feet elevation to give the new compact hatch a good test. 

The RS 2.5-liter Boxer engine's performance was impressive, with 30 more horsepower than the standard 2.0-liter powerplant. The compact hatch easily powered past the slower traffic and had no problem with the steep incline. 

The CVT automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters and eight speeds gives the hatch sporty driving dynamics. The sport suspension carved through the sharp mountain curves with ease, and the larger brakes offer additional stopping power going downhill. 

Check Out This Related Story: Head To Head The New Subaru Impreza Sport Vs. All-New Impreza RS Hatch

Is the all-new 2024 Impreza RS hot enough for sports car and driving enthusiasts? The RS offers excellent value and is a good pick for those wanting a sporty hatch. But if you wish for an actual sports car, the Subaru WRX is a better pick. The 2023 WRX 6-speed manual trim level starts at $31,625.

What is the price of the 2024 Impreza RS?

The all-new 2024 Subaru Impreza RS hatch with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine has a starting price of $28,975. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,090). But if you add a power moonroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a 10-way power driver's seat, the cost is $31,045. 

With a few options, the Impreza RS is approaching the price of the WRX sports car. Impreza's advantage over the WRX is the hatchback's utility and cargo-carrying ability. The WRX is still a sedan but offers superior driving dynamics, and the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine produces 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It's no contest if you are looking for performance.  

We have driven both, and for the best sports car value, the 2023 Subaru WRX performance sedan is far superior to the Impreza RS hatch. Which compact car would you pick for $31,000?

Check Out This Hot Topic: The WRX Meets The Outback - Subaru Reveals The All-New Layback

Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Photo credit: Subaru