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Subaru of America has two new compact vehicles that are both desirable models. The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS hot hatch and the 2023 Crosstrek Sport off-road warrior are completely reengineered and redesigned from the ground up and get impressive upgrades. But which model is the best?
The Impreza RS is the hot hatch.
The Impreza RS has a new powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The RS also has a sport-tuned suspension upgrade, bigger brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, and SI-Drive. The 2.5-liter engine is mated with a Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission featuring an 8-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters.
Subaru designed the Impreza RS for driving enthusiasts looking for performance, speed, and handling in an urban environment. The hatchback offers utility for carrying your gear and sports equipment, and the compact car would make a great city commuter.
Crosstrek Sport is the off-road warrior.
The Crosstrek Sport is also powered by the newly re-tuned 2.5-liter direct-injection Boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. But the Crosstrek is designed for those who want to escape the city and get further away from civilization.
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Crosstrek Sport features dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control. In addition, the X-Mode system includes driver-selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings to optimize all-wheel drive performance for extreme weather or road conditions. The Crosstrek Sport has 8.7 inches of rock-clearing ground clearance.
What is the difference in price? The Crosstrek Sport is $1,315 more than the Impreza RS.
The all-new Impreza RS hatch with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine has a starting price of $28,975, including destination and delivery fees ($1,090). The remodeled 2024 Crosstrek Sport has a starting price of $30,290, including destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
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What is the fuel mileage of the new 2024 Impreza RS and Crosstrek Sport?
With the newly-retuned 2.5-liter Boxer engine, the Impreza RS has an EPA-estimated fuel mileage rating of 26/33 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg. The 2024 Crosstrek Sport has the same EPA-estimated fuel mileage as the Impreza RS.
Do you need premium or regular fuel?
With fuel prices rising, do you need the more expensive grade of gasoline for the 2024 Impreza RS and Crosstrek Sport? Both vehicles are designed to run on 87 octane or regular gasoline, and you don't need expensive premium or mid-grade unleaded gas.
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Impreza RS and Crosstrek Sport come standard with Subaru's EyeSight safety technology and will have excellent crash scores from the IIHS when tested.
The significant difference between the 2024 Impreza RS and the 2024 Crosstrek Sport is whether you want speed and handling or cladding and a raised ride height. The Impreza will deliver superior driving performance on the road. The 2024 Crosstrek Sport has excellent off-road performance.
Which new model would you choose if you buy a new compact hatch or SUV this fall? Let us know in the comments below.
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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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