Next-Gen Subaru Impreza RS Vs. Kia's 3 Hot Hatchbacks And Which Has The Most HP

Subaru’s hot hatch, the 2024 Impreza RS, is back. See how its horsepower compares with Kia’s three new wagons in 2023.

How does the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS horsepower compare with Kia and its three new hatchbacks in 2023? Kelley Blue Book’s four highest horsepower wagons of 2023 include the 2024 Impreza, Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Kia Soul, and Kia Niro. Subaru’s hot hatch, the 2024 Impreza RS, is back. The all-new next-generation 2024 Impreza has the most horsepower of the new hatchbacks in 2023.

Kelley Blue Book ranked the new wagons of 2023 with the highest horsepower and gave each wagon an expert rating. The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS is the horsepower winner with a new 2.5-liter Boxer engine with 182 horsepower.

The 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is next with 180 horsepower. The 2023 Kia Soul is third with 147 horsepower, and the 2023 Kia Niro is fourth best with 139 horsepower.

The all-new 2024 Impreza compact hatch is too new for KBB to give it a rating. KBB gives the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid a 4.5-star score, Kia Soul (4.4 stars), and Kia Niro (4.5 stars).

KBB says, “Now available solely as a hatchback, the new 2024 Impreza continues the good work carried out by the previous five generations while adding a good deal of refinement. New infotainment technology includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen plus wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. In addition, driver aids have been upgraded, and a sporty RS version with 182 horsepower makes its debut.”

Before the 2024 Impreza RS arrived this year, the Impreza had only 152 horsepower. The 2024 Subaru Impreza Sport trim has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport trim has a Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission featuring an 8-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The new 2024 Subaru Impreza RS upgrades to a 2.5-liter Boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 178 ft lbs of torque. The 2.5-liter retuned engine in the new RS trim is also a proven Subaru Boxer engine with excellent reliability.

The RS 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.

2024 Subaru Impreza pricing

The 2024 Subaru Impreza Sport hatch starts at $26,085, and the all-new RS hatch with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine has a starting price of $28,975. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,090).

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid starts at $35,165, Kia Soul ($21,215), and Kia Niro ($27,915).

With the 2.5-liter engine upgrade, the Impreza RS will be a fast, fun-to-drive small hatch for driving enthusiasts. With the 2.5L engine upgrade, the Impreza RS is significantly improved over the 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Kia Soul, and Kia Niro.

The all-new 2024 Subaru Impreza RS trim could be the hottest new Subaru model launch this year. It has the most horsepower of any wagon in 2023. Find out more about the 2024 Impreza RS in the link below.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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