While the Subaru Forester and Outback are the brand’s big sellers, for over 30 decades the entry-level Impreza has soldiered on, offering affordable AWD to loads of buyers. And in 1998, the carmaker brought the RS model to market, offering a sporty step up. Eventually, that would grow into the WRX model enthusiasts love today.
What’s nice is that Subaru hasn’t forgotten the driver on a budget, and recently re-introduced the RS. Time for a test drive!
Sporty, yet Sensible
On the outside, the RS takes the Impreza’s sensible 5-door hatchback and adds some spicy sauce.
From the front, you get a blacked-out grille, framed by the LED headlights that give a serious “don’t mess with this Subie” look, while side grilles feature LED fog lights for some added sporty cred.
The profile is modern 5-door hatch, but we think it’s fun to see a Subaru that looks aimed for track (or at least a curvy road) instead of off-road. You got nice bulgy fenders, a sharp cut-in on the lower door, black side spoilers, and serious looking dark gray alloy wheels, that fill out the wheel wells and look tough. The trained eye will also notice RS badges on the front doors that make this model feel a little more special.
Out back, (not to be confused with the Outback!) boomerang shaped LED taillights, and a rear spoiler above the rear window team up with a lower blacked-out rear fascia to create a dynamic look, made all the nicer with another RS badge. The finishing touch was our tester’s Oasis Blue Paint, a bright blue bordering on Smurf Blue, but we love the attitude it shows – this is no wallflower.
Driving by Design
Inside, the RS steps things up as well. There’s plenty to be familiar with – large analog gauges, including an 8,000-rpm tachometer and 160-mph speedo, and a handy digital info display in between. You’ll also find the familiar Subaru touchscreen display, 11.6-inches in the RS, vertically mounted like a large tablet.
We appreciate that Subaru gives you a volume and tuning knob, and we also like that certain controls for the climate control system are permanently at the bottom of the screen, so you don’t have to go fishing for them through the info-tainment setup. When you do swipe through those screens, everything seems logically laid out – it’s not flashy or futuristic, just good, easy access. Perfect. There’s also a handy wireless charging pad for your phone underneath the screen – a perfect companion to wireless Apple CarPlay.
You still get a sporty vibe – when you pony up for the RS, you get a fat leather-wrapped steering wheel with well-marked remote controls and column-mounted shift levers, some sporty aluminum alloy pedals with a drilled metal look, heated front sport seats with black cloth and contrasting red bolsters for some visual pop, gunmetal and simulated carbon fiber accents for extra sportiness, and RS logo floor mats for a finishing touch.
While the RS comes well equipped, our tester had a nice Option Package 33 that upped the interior vibe with a power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support and a sweet-sounding Harmon Kardon speaker system.
We’d prefer to enjoy that 10-way driver seat, but the rear seats are adult friendly, and also enjoy the red bolster design. Subarus are big with the camping/biking/outdoorsy set, so you not only get plenty of space with the rear seats up, they also easily fold flat to create a spacious cargo area. The hatch has a nice-sized opening for loading gear. And if you need more space, there seems to be loads of accessory racks and gear available for every Subaru model.
Imprezive Performance
While it might not be a storming 271 horsepower WRX, there’s plenty of verve in the drive. Like the Crosstrek we tested recently, the RS gets a more powerful 2.5-liter, BOXER 4-cylinder engine, pumping out 182 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft of torque.
Combined with a CVT transmission performance is perky, and there’s fun to be had if you use the paddle shifters so the trans will give a faithful impression of an 8-speed automatic. We’re not crazy about CVT’s for performance, but it does help with economy (29 mpg combined) and it’s super-smooth around town. Still, this car begs for a manual transmission – something you could get on the original RS. Ok, that’s our wish!
The RS shines more in the ride and handling department, starting with a new-for-‘24 version of the WRX dual pinion power steering rack. We found it responsive at the wheel with excellent feel. And that helps, because with the RS, you get a sport-tuned suspension that’s just about perfect – well controlled but not harsh. And let’s not forget, Subaru’s symmetrical AWD, great for doling out the power, and also a confidence-inspirer in slick conditions.
We kept the SI-Drive performance management system in sporty S mode and found the RS a ball to toss around on twisty roads. Subaru says the Impreza chassis enjoys 10-percent higher rigidity for 2024, and we can say it was notably quiet and solid feeling – when cruising you’d swear you were in a larger car.
Subaru has been a leader in the driver assistance field, and standard on all 2024 Impreza models is the latest version of their EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system operates smoother, faster, and under a greater range of conditions and can now identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alert the driver and applies brakes to avoid collisions. All good stuff!!
How Much for All this Good Stuff?
The best part is the affordability. You can get into an Impreza base starting at just $22,995. Considering you get AWD, EyeSight, Dual-zone Climate control and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all included, along with the 5-door hatch functionality, that’s an incredible deal.
Our RS was the top of the line in the Impreza lineup and started at a still impressive $27,995. We had the Oasis Blue Paint for $395, that lovely Option Package 33 added $2,070, with an additional $1,090 for destination. All totaled, we rang the bell at $31,440.
Competitors? We’d look at the Honda Civic Sport Touring hatchback at $33,000. It’s got turbo punch and a sporty chassis, but if you want AWD, no-can-do. The Mazda 3 is another fun hatchback, and you can get AWD, but you’ll have to pony up to the turbo model, so you’re at $34,435, significantly more expensive. Still 250 turbo horsepower is tempting!
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS hits that sweet spot, of fun, utility and Subie goodness – all at a wonderfully reasonable price!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.