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The All-New Next-Generation Subaru Impreza Is An Enigma Or Not

The 2024 Subaru Impreza gets a complete remodel and a new hot RS trim, yet sales are puzzling. It isn't easy to understand, but sales dropped again.
2024 Subaru Impreza

When Subaru launched the all-new 2024 Impreza compact hatchback, it looked like the automaker's most significant launch this year. I expected sales to increase significantly, but it happened differently than expected. 

The new 2024 Subaru Impreza is an enigma. The 2024 Subaru Impreza gets a complete remodel and a new hot RS trim, and yet sales are not rising every month.

By the numbers

The Subaru Impreza compact hatchback increased 9.2 percent in September after being down in August. And now the Impreza sales dropped in October. 

2024 Subaru Impreza at the dealer

The new Impreza cools off this fall.

The Subaru Impreza compact hatchback decreased in October by 6.9 percent. Impreza is the fifth best-selling model as SOA delivered 2,662 compact models to customers in October compared with 2,861 sales in October 2022. 

Even with the drop in sales, Impreza is up 17.0 percent in the first ten months of 2023, with 29,826 compact models sold in 2023 compared with 25,490 models delivered to customers in the same time frame in 2022. 

2024 Subaru Impreza launch

Here is my take on the new Impreza hatchback.

Customers come in looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient, sporty hatchback with utility. It's all the things compact customers are looking for. So what's the problem with the Impreza?

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.

The Crosstrek offers the same affordability, fuel efficiency, and hatchback utility but has more advantages. The advantages are 8.7 inches of ground clearance, X-Mode for extreme all-weather capability, and a Sport trim with duel-function X-Mode for all-terrain capability.

Customers can now opt for the new outdoor-themed Crosstrek Wilderness to get further off the grid. 

The Impreza is an enigma, but maybe not.

Impreza shoppers are very close to Crosstrek customers. They are a younger demographic, lead active lifestyles, and use their vehicle as more than a commuter during the week and a grocery hauler on the weekend. 

You can find them out having fun on the weekends and using their vehicle for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, snowboarding, and going to the beach.  

The 2024 Subaru Impreza is an excellent small hatchback. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek gives active customers more recreational options. 

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 Impreza, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

Here is the 2024 Subaru Impreza | Review & Road Test YouTube video from Kelley Blue Book

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

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Comments

Bob (not verified)    November 9, 2023 - 9:03AM

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It is a nice car, but too expensive. The RS model is nicely equipped, but runs 30-32k. It needs a more powerful engine at that price point. The 2.5L should be standard in the Sport, with a modestly tuned turbo (say 210 hp) for the RS. Supply is also still tight, so I think they are not giving any discount.

NMK (not verified)    November 9, 2023 - 11:10AM

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I think the problem us inventory. I have been to 2 local dealers within the last 2 weeks. Once for a recall on my RS and once to get oil filters for my BRZ. Neither dealer had a single impreza of any trim on the lot. NOT ONE. 90% of their lots were full of outbacks and foresters. A few WRX and legacys and thats it. No BRZs no imprezas. Makes me that much happier to have mine. 😁

Marek Karam (not verified)    November 12, 2023 - 12:08PM

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The Impreza is competing directly with the Crosstrek. They should have kept the sedan body style exclusively as the Impreza (rather than making the Impreza exclusively a hatchback). This would at least give shoppers a meaningful choice. Also, dropping the manual transmission from the Impreza line was an enormous mistake. I think a fair amount of people would find an Impreza sedan with a manual transmission and a sunroof to be a compelling option among compact cars

Will Coucheron-Aamot (not verified)    November 13, 2023 - 11:35PM

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Maybe if they gave us back a manual transmission, we'd buy it. I had a 2008 and 2017 Impreza hatchback, both with manual transmission. Now I'm driving a 2009 Forester-also with a manual transmission.

Phil (not verified)    November 18, 2023 - 7:15AM

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Instead of having the Impreza essentially being the same as Crosstrek except for styling, I would go the other way and make the Impreza more fuel efficient. Smaller engine, less horsepower, many more MPG. That would compete more with the subcompact market.

I have a 2017 Impreza and have been considering getting a newer one, but if MPG are the same or less, why would I spend that much on a new car again when mine still runs perfectly.

And there's not much chance I would go for a hybrid. The replacement cost and uncertainty of all that as the car gets older is not worth going that route yet for me.