The compact car segment has had a rough time standing up to the onslaught of small crossovers. Although the 2024 Subaru Impreza is definitely a strong contender for right-sized utility, its hyper-focus on a specific Subaru customer archetype may prevent it from winning new hearts.
All automakers have enough data on their customer base to know them down to their preferred toothpaste, but Subaru seems to know its drivers better than it knows itself. For 2024, the brand of mostly all-wheel-drive autos has streamlined the Impreza to focus on the active outdoors enthusiast who might be SUV-averse but still wants something sporty to drive. In terms of performance, the new RS model is sporty enough to enjoy any exciting roads its drivers may find in the wild, but its modest power output and CVT transmission don’t make it a go-to for hot hatch excursions.
