Next-Gen Subaru Crosstrek Is Inferior To The New Impreza In One Critical Area

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and 2024 Subaru Impreza are both remodeled and ride on the same Subaru Global platform, but the Impreza outshines the Crosstrek in one critical area: safety. 

Subaru Corporation announced today the all-new 2024 Impreza compact hatchback was named a 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The all-new 2024 Crosstrek compact SUV earned the 2023 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award. 

I covered previously how the new headlights have made a significant difference in both new vehicles. But there's more about the two models that customers will want to know. 

Why did the 2024 Impreza earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award and the all-new 2024 Crosstrek that rides on the same platform get a lesser TOP SAFETY PICK award?

The IIHS says the 2024 Impreza earned a "Good" rating in the updated side test and is a TOP SAFETY PICK+. The 2024 Crosstrek earned an "Acceptable" side rating and is a TOP SAFETY PICK. 

Impreza and Crosstrek improved over their 2023 models, which earned "Poor" ratings in the new version of the side crash evaluation launched last year.

To qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in 2023, a vehicle must earn a "Good" rating in the updated side test as well as in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and original moderate overlap front tests. The Crosstrek only scored an "Acceptable" score.

What is the difference between the Impreza and Crosstrek?

Impreza and Crosstrek ride on the same improved Subaru Global platform that protects in a collision. The only difference between the two models is that the Crosstrek rides higher, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Impreza is only 5.1 inches off the ground. 

This can make a difference when the cars are stuck from the side in a collision with another vehicle. The shorter Impreza fairs better because of the angle of impact. The Crosstrek sustains more damage when it gets hit higher in the body. 

Both models received the same upgrades in their headlights.

The IIHS says the two Subaru models qualify for new awards thanks to improvements and the elimination of subpar headlight options.

Subaru Just Dropped An Inferior Feature On New Models To Get The Best IIHS Safety Score via @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto https://t.co/t1YSJcUJS9 pic.twitter.com/IIMfWFftRf
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) October 28, 2023

The redesigned 2024 Crosstrek and 2024 Impreza now come with" Good" rated headlights across the board, says IIHS. Previously, some trim lines of the Crosstrek had "Poor" rated headlights and some Impreza trims had "Marginal" ones.

For 2023, Subaru has received an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for seven models:

2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Winners

• 2024 Subaru Ascent (TSP for six consecutive years)
• 2024 Subaru Impreza 5-door (Total of four TSP+)
• 2024 Subaru Outback (TSP for 15 straight years)
• 2024 Subaru Solterra

2023 TOP SAFETY PICK Winners

• 2024 Subaru Crosstrek (Total of six TSP+)
• 2024 Subaru Legacy (TSP for 18 consecutive years)
• 2024 Subaru Forester (TSP for 17 straight years)

To qualify for the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in 2023, a vehicle must earn a "Good" rating in the updated side impact test as well as in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and original moderate overlap front tests. Headlights rated "Good" or "Acceptable" must be standard across all trims, and a front crash prevention system that earns "Advanced" or "Superior" ratings in both the daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations must be available.

Subaru points out that since 2013, the automaker has received 70 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, more than any other car brand.

Customers looking for the safest compact vehicles with top crash scores should check out the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV and 2024 Subaru Impreza compact hatchback models. Both have improved crash protection and better headlights in the new IIHS testing. The Impreza outshines the Crosstrek in one crucial area: the new side-impact crash score. 

Now it's your turn.

Will you be shopping for a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek or Impreza? Do safety scores affect your decision when buying a new car? 

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

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

My Must-Read Top Picks

• 5 Small SUVs With The Lowest 5-Year Depreciation And Subaru Crosstrek’s Top 2 Score
• The All-New Next-Generation Subaru Impreza Is An Enigma Or Not
• The Hot Subaru Crosstrek Is Not In First - It Just Pulled Up Last

Here is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek crash test from the IIHS

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