The 2021 Subaru Impreza is the best Impreza model year, with the 2020 at #2 and the 2016 at #3. The 2021 has the 152 hp direct-injected 2.0-liter engine, EyeSight standard on every CVT model and 32 combined mpg, and NHTSA lists only 14 owner complaints for it.
2.5-liter EJ25 flat-four with 170 hp (North America received only 2.5-liter models)
The cheapest way into an all-wheel-drive Impreza
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2021 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Best for standard EyeSight
2020 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Best fourth generation
2016 Subaru Impreza (GJ)
Best 5-door
2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium (GP)
Best 2.5-liter
2011 Subaru Impreza (GH)
The ranking
1
2021 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best Impreza year.
Engine: 152-horsepower direct-injected 2.0-liter Boxer four with 145 lb-ft; 5-speed manual or Lineartronic CVTWhen new: $18,795 base (sedan, 5-speed manual); EyeSight standard on every CVT model; the Premium trim adds SI-DRIVEEPA fuel economy: 28 city / 36 highway / 32 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed for the 2021 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 14 owner complaints listed for the 2021 Impreza
The 2021 Impreza has the 152-horsepower direct-injected 2.0-liter Boxer four with 145 lb-ft, and every CVT model comes with EyeSight. Pricing started at $18,795 for a sedan with the 5-speed manual, the Premium trim added SI-DRIVE, and the CVT sedan rates 32 combined mpg.
Go ifThe fewest NHTSA owner complaints of any Impreza year here
Skip ifYou want the lowest price for the facelifted GK look (2020)
Why #1 over #2: NHTSA lists 14 owner complaints for the 2021 versus 85 for the 2020, and it rates 32 combined mpg versus 31.
2
2020 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Answrs VerdictThe safety-tech year.
Engine: 152-horsepower direct-injected 2.0-liter Boxer four with 145 lb-ftWhen new: $18,695 base; revised front fascia and grille; EyeSight standard on all CVT models; automatic door locks standardEPA fuel economy: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed for the 2020 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 85 owner complaints listed for the 2020 Impreza
For 2020 Subaru revised the front fascia and grille, made EyeSight standard on every CVT model and made automatic door locks standard. It has the 152 hp direct-injected engine, started at $18,695, and NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign.
Go ifThe first Impreza with EyeSight standard on every CVT model
Skip ifYou want the fewest owner complaints (2021)
Why #2 over #3: Its 152 hp direct-injected engine beats the 2016’s 148 hp, and EyeSight is standard on every CVT model.
3
2016 Subaru Impreza (GJ)
Answrs VerdictThe best GJ.
Engine: 148-hp 2.0-liter Boxer four; 5-speed manual or CVTWhen new: $18,295 base; STARLINK Connected Services added to the ImprezaEPA fuel economy: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed for the 2016 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 75 owner complaints listed for the 2016 Impreza
The 2016 is a refreshed fourth-generation Impreza with the 148-hp 2.0-liter Boxer four and a 5-speed manual or CVT. It started at $18,295, added STARLINK Connected Services and rates 31 combined mpg; NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 75 owner complaints.
Go ifThe best-rated fourth-generation Impreza on NHTSA recalls and complaints
Skip ifYou want the 152 hp engine and standard EyeSight (2020 onward)
Why #3 over #4: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 75 owner complaints for the 2016 versus 2 and 79 for the 2015, and the sedan rates 31 combined mpg versus 30 for the Sport 5-door.
4
2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium (GP)
Answrs VerdictThe sporty hatch.
Engine: 148-hp 2.0-liter Boxer four; 5-speed manual or CVTWhen new: $20,995 (5-speed manual), $21,995 (CVT); 5-door only, with body-color rocker panel spoilers, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and roof rails; rear vision camera standard on every 2015 ImprezaEPA fuel economy: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg (Sport 5-door, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed for the 2015 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 79 owner complaints listed for the 2015 Impreza
The 2.0i Sport Premium is a 5-door-only trim with body-color rocker panel spoilers, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and roof rails, priced from $20,995 with the 5-speed manual. The 2015 refresh brought new headlights, grille and bumper and made a rear vision camera standard on every Impreza.
Go ifA sportier-looking 5-door from the refreshed 2015 Impreza
Skip ifYou want the sedan’s 31 combined mpg (2016)
Why #4 over #5: NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 79 owner complaints for the 2015 versus 5 and 194 for the 2019.
5
2019 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Answrs VerdictThe value GK.
Engine: 152-hp direct-injected 2.0-liter Boxer fourWhen new: $18,595 base; EyeSight available on the 2.0i CVT for $845; individual tire-pressure display standard across the lineEPA fuel economy: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed for the 2019 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 194 owner complaints listed for the 2019 Impreza
The 2019 Impreza has the 152-hp direct-injected engine and rates 38 highway mpg with the CVT. It started at $18,595, EyeSight became available on the base 2.0i CVT for $845, and an individual tire-pressure display became standard across the line.
Go ifA fifth-generation Impreza with 38 highway mpg
Skip ifYou want EyeSight standard on every CVT model (2020 onward)
Why #5 over #6: NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2019 versus 7 for the 2017, and it adds the standard individual tire-pressure display.
6
2017 Subaru Impreza (GK)
Answrs VerdictThe first GK.
Engine: 2.0-liter Boxer engine with direct injection, 152 hpWhen new: $18,395 base; first Impreza built in the U.S., on the new Subaru Global Platform; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on the base 2.0iEPA fuel economy: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed for the 2017 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 125 owner complaints listed for the 2017 Impreza
The all-new 2017 was the first Impreza built in the U.S. and the first on the Subaru Global Platform. It started at $18,395 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on the base 2.0i, and it rates 32 combined mpg.
Go ifThe cheapest way into the Subaru Global Platform generation
Why #6 over #7: Its 152 hp engine beats the 2014’s 148 hp, and it rates 32 combined mpg versus 30.
7
2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium (GJ)
Answrs VerdictThe value Premium.
Engine: 148-hp 2.0-liter Boxer four; 5-speed manual or CVTWhen new: $19,795 (2.0i Premium sedan, 5-speed manual); 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear stabilizer bar; Aha integration added to the optional navigationEPA fuel economy: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed for the 2014 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 108 owner complaints listed for the 2014 Impreza
The 2014 2.0i Premium sedan started at $19,795 with the 5-speed manual and adds 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear stabilizer bar over the base car. For 2014, Aha integration came to the optional navigation system, and the CVT sedan rates 30 combined mpg.
Go ifA pre-refresh GJ Premium with alloys and fewer complaints than the 2012
Skip ifYou want the standard rear vision camera (2015 onward)
Why #7 over #8: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 108 owner complaints for the 2014 versus 6 and 243 for the 2012.
8
2012 Subaru Impreza (GJ)
Answrs VerdictThe first GJ.
Engine: All-new 148-horsepower 2.0-liter Boxer engineWhen new: $17,495 base (sedan, 5-speed manual); all-new generation with the Lineartronic CVT, and the Limited trim addedEPA fuel economy: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg (sedan, CVT)NHTSA recalls: 6 recall campaigns listed for the 2012 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 243 owner complaints listed for the 2012 Impreza
The 2012 launched the fourth generation with an all-new 148-horsepower 2.0-liter Boxer engine and the Lineartronic CVT. It started at $17,495, the Limited trim was added, and the CVT sedan rates 30 combined mpg.
Why #8 over #9: Its CVT sedan rates 30 combined mpg versus 22 for the 2011, and NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns versus 14.
9
2011 Subaru Impreza (GH)
Answrs VerdictThe best GH.
Engine: 2.5-liter SOHC Boxer with i-Active Valve Lift, 170 hpWhen new: $17,495 base (2.5i sedan); the 2.5i Premium gains standard Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB port with iPod controlEPA fuel economy: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg (sedan, 4-speed automatic)NHTSA recalls: 14 recall campaigns listed for the 2011 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 58 owner complaints listed for the 2011 Impreza
The 2011 Impreza 2.5i has a 170 hp 2.5-liter SOHC Boxer and started at $17,495. For 2011 the 2.5i Premium gained standard Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB port with iPod control.
Go ifA 170 hp 2.5-liter Impreza with Bluetooth on the Premium
Skip ifYou want 30 combined mpg (2012 onward)
Why #9 over #10: NHTSA lists 58 owner complaints for the 2011 versus 113 for the 2009, and 14 recall campaigns versus 15.
10
2009 Subaru Impreza (GE)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget pick.
Engine: 2.5-liter EJ25 flat-four with 170 hp (North America received only 2.5-liter models)When new: $17,495 starting price; named an IIHS Top Safety PickEPA fuel economy: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg (sedan, 4-speed automatic)NHTSA recalls: 15 recall campaigns listed for the 2009 ImprezaNHTSA complaints: 113 owner complaints listed for the 2009 Impreza
The 2009 Impreza uses the 170 hp 2.5-liter EJ25 flat-four and had a starting price of $17,495. It was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick and rates 22 combined mpg with the 4-speed automatic.
Go ifThe cheapest way into an all-wheel-drive Impreza
We ranked each Impreza model year on what it gives a used buyer today: engine, standard equipment, EPA fuel economy, and the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints listed, using Subaru of America press releases, Wikipedia, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA. The facelifted fifth-generation (GK) 2021 and 2020 rank first, then the refreshed fourth-generation (GJ) 2016 and 2015, the earlier GK years, the pre-refresh GJ years and the 2.5-liter third generation. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Subaru Impreza year?
The 2021 Impreza. It has the 152 hp direct-injected 2.0-liter engine, EyeSight on every CVT model and 32 combined mpg, and NHTSA lists just 14 owner complaints for it.
Which Subaru Impreza years have the most complaints?
Among the years ranked here, NHTSA lists 243 owner complaints for the 2012 Impreza and 194 for the 2019, versus 14 for the 2021. Check any used Impreza by VIN for open recalls.
When did EyeSight become standard on the Impreza?
For 2020. Every 2020 Impreza with the Lineartronic CVT came standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, including Automatic Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist.
Which years are the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza?
The fifth generation (GK sedan, GT 5-door) started with the 2017 model year on the Subaru Global Platform. The sixth generation followed as a 2024 model, and the sedan was dropped.
EPA combined fuel economy at a glance
2011 Subaru Impreza (GH)22 mpg
2009 Subaru Impreza (GE)22 mpg
2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium (GP)30 mpg
2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium (GJ)30 mpg
2012 Subaru Impreza (GJ)30 mpg
2020 Subaru Impreza (GK)31 mpg
2016 Subaru Impreza (GJ)31 mpg
2021 Subaru Impreza (GK)32 mpg
2019 Subaru Impreza (GK)32 mpg
2017 Subaru Impreza (GK)32 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
