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Consumer Reports Says Toyota Corolla Hatch Can’t Match The Subaru Impreza

Is the 2022 Subaru Impreza the best compact car you can buy? Consumer Reports says it is the winning pick and that you should avoid the Toyota Corolla hatchback.

What are the best compact cars for shoppers this spring? An updated study by Consumer Reports (by subscription) says the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a new compact car you should avoid. This summer they say the 2022 Subaru Impreza is still the winning pick for compact car shoppers. It's a top pick because of top safety scores, reliability, road test performance, and owner satisfaction scores.

The Subaru Impreza is CR's winning pick for 2022

Consumer Reports ranks the 2022 Impreza number one of twelve compact cars with a score of 81. CR says the 2022 Impreza has a “Comfortable ride, relatively roomy interior, easy-to-use controls, standard all-wheel-drive without a fuel-economy penalty, and an available hatchback body style."

2022 Subaru Impreza pricing, features, specs, fuel mileage, price

How could the Impreza be better?

CR says the biggest knock against the Impreza is that the 2.0-liter engine can get noisy, and the driver's seat is short on lumbar support.

Why should you avoid the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback?

Consumer Reports says the new Corolla has significant flaws. "The ride is stiff, and the car is loud, primarily because of the raspy 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that usually seems like it's working too hard, and the rear seat is super-cramped," says Consumer Reports. CR scores the Toyota Corolla number eleven of twelve compact cars with a low score of 51.

2022 Subaru Impreza pricing, features, specs, fuel mileage, price

Reasons to buy the 2022 Subaru Impreza

The 2022 Subaru Impreza's score is 30 points higher than the Toyota Corolla hatchback because it rates higher in predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. The Impreza compact also comes standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system on all trim levels. Check out the complete 2022 Subaru Impreza model guide here.

What is the fuel mileage of the Impreza?

With gas prices rising this summer (AAA average price is $4.20 per gallon), consumers want fuel efficiency. The EPA says the 2022 Subaru Impreza gets 31 mpg combined city/highway and 28/36 city/highway mpg in the non-Sport CVT trims. The 2022 Impreza 4-Door sedan with the 5-speed manual gearbox has the same fuel mileage. The 2022 Impreza 4-Door sedan gets 26 combined city/highway and 23/31 city/highway mpg in the non-Sport CVT trims.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Impreza?

The 2022 Impreza comes in four trim levels and seven different models. With the recent price increases, the base sedan now starts at ($20,290), base hatchback ($20,790) Premium sedan ($23,690), Premium hatchback ($24,190), Sport sedan ($25,090), Sport hatchback ($24,490), and Limited hatchback ($27,890). Destination and delivery ($995) are included in the prices above.

Can you find a new Impreza with the recent model shortages?

A 2022 Subaru Impreza will be almost impossible to find this summer as most models in transit are already pre-sold. Subaru shut down new orders for Impreza for the remainder of the year, and you may have to wait for the 2023 models.

It will be worth the wait because the 2023 Subaru Impreza gets a complete redesign. The next-generation 2023 Impreza will likely come with the new EyeSight X driver-assist safety technology and other significant upgrades. The next-generation Impreza will arrive in early 2023.

The updated Consumer Reports study says the 2022 Subaru Impreza is still the best compact car you can buy because it scores high in safety, reliability, road test performance, and owner satisfaction. CR says the 2022 Toyota Corolla hatchback can't match the 2022 Subaru Impreza.

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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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