Subaru has made some changes to the Impreza that enhance its appeal as a compact car. Subaru cut the base model, made a new touch screen standard across both trims, and fine-tuned the engines. These thoughtful updates, along with enhanced safety technology and a sharper focus on value, demonstrate how Subaru continually improves its entry-level model for everyday drivers. Our John Kennedy Subaru Plymouth team has prepared this guide to illustrate the differences between the two trims. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
2026 Subaru Impreza Pricing and Trim Levels
Subaru reduced its trim levels to just two models for 2026: the Sport, starting at $26,595 MSRP, and the RS, starting at $29,495. Every Subaru Impreza trim now comes standard with an 11.6-inch touch screen and a six-speaker sound system. The Sport runs with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 152 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the RS features a 2.5-liter engine making 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
Both cars offer useful option packages worth considering. The Sport’s Option Package 23 adds blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, all-weather technology, such as heated seats and exterior mirrors, a power moonroof, and lit vanity mirrors. The RS offers Option Package 33, which includes a Harman Kardon sound system, a power moonroof, and a power driver’s seat. There’s also a new Citron Yellow Pearl paint color available, bringing your color choices to seven.
What really makes the Impreza stand out is its standard all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something its competitors charge extra for or don’t offer.
Engine Performance and Driving Dynamics
This new Subaru offers two levels of performance. The Sport’s 2.0-liter flat-four works fine for daily commutes, but the RS’s 2.5-liter engine is punchier. Testing shows the RS goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 16 seconds at 89 mph. Both engines come standard with Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and Symmetrical AWD.
Gas mileage stays competitive across both versions. The Sport returns 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the RS manages 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The updated 2.5-liter boxer engine in the RS now makes more torque at lower rpm than last year’s model, resulting in better response in everyday driving.
Subaru has stiffened the chassis by 10%, improving handling and reducing noise and vibration. The suspension tuning works well on both city streets and highways around Plymouth Meeting, and the flat boxer engine sits low in the chassis, keeping the center of gravity down for better stability in corners.
Interior Design and Comfort Features
The 2026 Impreza models put practicality first, with one of the roomiest cabins in its class. Rear passengers get 38 inches of headroom and 36.5 inches of legroom, which is the best in its segment and plenty for taller adults. Front seat occupants have 39.8 inches of headroom and 42.9 inches of legroom. The 60/40-split rear seats fold down when you need to haul bigger items.
Cargo space is a strong point. You get 20.4 cubic feet behind the back seats and 56 cubic feet with the seats folded. The practical hatchback design includes thoughtful touches such as a plastic step in the door sills, making it easier to load items on the roof rack.
The Impreza’s materials reflect the car’s price point but hold up well over time. Sport models come with sporty cloth seats with red stitching and a six-way manual driver’s seat. The RS offers red-accented cloth seats, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Technology and Infotainment Systems
Every 2026 Impreza now comes with a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touch screen that was previously reserved for higher trims. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so connecting your phone is simple. Subaru kept buttons and knobs for climate control and volume around the screen, which can be easier to maneuver than hunting through menus while driving.
The standard audio setup provides six speakers and HD Radio. You can upgrade to a Harman Kardon system with 10 speakers and 432 watts if you choose the RS. You also get a 4.2-inch display in the gauge cluster, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi hot spot capability. Sport models include USB-A and USB-C ports up front for charging your gadgets. RS models add wireless charging and USB ports for rear passengers.
EyeSight Safety and Driver-Assist Technology
Subaru includes its EyeSight safety tech as standard equipment in every 2026 Impreza. This suite includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic braking that spots pedestrians and cyclists, lane departure warnings, and precollision throttle management. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Impreza five stars overall for safety, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it Good in most tests.
New for 2026 is Emergency Lane Keep Assist, standard on RS models and optional on the Sport. It works between 37 and 90 mph, using the blind-spot monitors and EyeSight cameras to help steer you safely during lane changes. You also get brake assist, high-beam assist, and blind-spot warnings and rear cross-traffic alerts on properly equipped models.
Subaru’s technology goes beyond just the basics. DriverFocus uses facial recognition to spot if you’re getting tired or distracted at the wheel, and the STARLINK system provides automatic crash notification and lets you start the engine remotely. Subaru also added rear-seat side airbags and auto vehicle shutdown for 2026, giving you extra protection in various crash situations. These safety systems provide real peace of mind if you regularly deal with snow or heavy traffic in Pennsylvania.
Test-Drive the 2026 Subaru Impreza at John Kennedy Subaru Plymouth Today
Reading about the Impreza hatchback is very different than driving one. Schedule a test-drive at our John Kennedy Subaru dealership in Plymouth Meeting. Our team can walk you through the differences between the Sport and the RS, explain the option packages, and get you behind the wheel so you can experience Subaru’s famous all-wheel-drive grip for yourself. We’re looking forward to watching you drive off the lot in your new Impreza.
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