What’s New for the 2026 Subaru Impreza?

Many vehicles claim to have a sporty DNA in a compact and city-friendly body, but none arguably did it better than the Subaru Impreza. Whether as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, or its current incarnation as a five-door hatchback, the Impreza has always delivered excellent performance and comfort without compromising either.

The 2026 model also fits that description. Part of the sixth generation of the Impreza, introduced in 2024, it keeps everything that made the Impreza so popular with a wide variety of drivers while also introducing a new, better-equipped entry model.

What’s New in the 2026 Subaru Impreza

The major difference between the 2025 and 2026 Impreza models is that the latter no longer offers the Base trim. This means that the Sport, which used to be an optional trim for the 2024 and 2025 models, is now the Impreza’s standard version, and the RS is the only optional trim level. The 2026 model also comes with a new Citron Yellow Pearl exterior color.

2026 Subaru Impreza Pricing by Trim Level

The 2026 Subaru Impreza‘s Sport trim has a starting MSRP of $26,595. The optional RS trim, which comes with a more powerful engine and additional features, starts at an MSRP of $29,495.

Trim Levels Comparison: Which Impreza is Right for You?

Here’s a comparison of the Sport and RS trims to help you choose the one that suits your lifestyle:

Sport Trim

The standard Sport trim comes with features that are only available as costly extras on many other vehicles. These include 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights that slightly turn as you take corners, and a special suspension system that enhances handling.

It also provides keyless access with push-button start, premium cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a digital driver information display. There’s an optional package that adds a few quality-of-life features, including a windshield wiper de-icer, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, a sunroof, and additional advanced driving aids.

RS Trim

The top-of-the-line 2026 Impreza comes with everything in the Sport trim and its option package, except the sunroof, which is still optional. It also adds a few features, including a wireless phone charging pad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift handle, and special dark gray wheels. Optional features, in addition to the sunroof, include a premium 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Engine, Performance & AWD System

The base engine on the 2026 Subaru Impreza is a capable 2.0-liter four-cylinder that can produce up to 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim gets a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. They’re both paired with a smooth, continuously variable transmission. Also, as you’d expect from any Subaru model, all-wheel drive is standard for all versions.

The RS can go from zero to 60 in 7.8 seconds, a respectable time for a car with so many other qualities. The base version is roughly a second slower off the mark.

Interior Design, Comfort & Cargo Space

The 2026 Subaru Impreza is one of the most comfortable vehicles in its class. There’s plenty of leg and headroom for four adults in both rows of seats. The wide-opening doors make it easy to get in and out of, while the low hood enhances the driver’s visibility. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, and the cabin insulation system does a great job of keeping road, wind, and engine noises out.

Cargo space is also impressive for its class. The Impreza can carry up to 20.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, which should be enough for most situations. If you ever need more, the second row of seats folds down to create 56 cubic feet of cargo space.

Technology and Infotainment Features

The 2026 Impreza comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen that offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. You also get Subaru’s STARLINK suite of connected services, which includes useful features such as remote lock and unlock, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, remote start, vehicle locator, and satellite radio apps.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the 2025 Impreza a maximum five-star rating. Since there are no major modifications for the 2026 model, we can assume it’s as safe as the previous one. The Impreza also comes with a long list of active safety features to help the driver navigate challenging road situations. Some of them are:

• Forward collision warning with automatic braking: Uses special front-mounted sensors to detect imminent frontal collisions and sends visual and auditory alerts or applies the brakes automatically if the driver doesn’t react.
• Lane keeping assistance: Steers the vehicle back into the center of its lane if the system detects it drifting without the turn signal being activated.
• Adaptive cruise control: Maintains a set distance from the car ahead, even as it increases or decreases speed.
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning: Alerts the driver if another vehicle is in their blind spot or approaching from either side when backing up.

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru Impreza?

The 2026 Subaru Impreza is a wonderful mix of performance and practicality. The best way to find out if it’s the right car for you is by taking it for a test drive, and you can do that at Huffines Subaru Corinth. We’ll be here to assist you and answer any questions you have. Contact us today to schedule your test drive.