- subaru is pricing its entry-level car, the 2020 impreza, at $100 above the 2019 model.
- the new model makes its eyesight active-safety technology standard on all impreza sport and premium models equipped with the continuously variable automatic transmission (cvt).
- for manual-transmission fans, there'll be a five-speed manual available on all three versions of the impreza: hatchback, sport hatchback, and sedan.
subaru announced today that the 2020 impreza will start at $19,595, which is $100 more than the 2019 model. for that small extra fee, the new all-wheel-drive impreza now comes with more safety equipment and with a refreshed front fascia, grille, and taillights, plus standard automatic door locks. there's also a new exterior color, ocean blue pearl.
the impreza with cvt starts at $20,895 for the sedan ($21,395 for the hatchback). but the more important features of the 2020 impreza are related to safety equipment. if you get the sport or limited models with cvt, you'll also get subaru's eyesight driver-assist technology as standard. the eyesight package includes automatic pre-collision braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure and sway warnings, and lead vehicle start alert, which buzzes at the driver when the car in front of the impreza starts moving again. think of it as a built-in service so the car behind you won't honk at you when the light turns green. the sport model with cvt starts at $24,395 for the sedan and $24,895 for the hatchback, while the limited, which only comes with the cvt, starts at $26,695 (sedan) and $27,195 (hatch).
subaru is also making a rear-seat reminder available on the 2020 impreza. this mildly annoying technology warns the driver to look in the back seats for an occupant, such as a pet or a child, and is being implemented in other subaru models as well. it's standard in the new forester and ascent, for example. on the impreza, it's standard on every model except the base model with manual transmission.
power for the 2020 impreza will continue to be provided by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. the epa says the 2020 impreza gets 31 mpg combined, 28 city, and 36 highway in the non-sport cvt trims. subaru says the 2020 impreza is "one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles sold in the u.s.," but its fuel-economy numbers are a bit worse than the most efficient 2019 impreza, which got an epa 32 combined, 28 city, and 38 highway mpg in the cvt sedan.
subaru is offering a five-speed manual transmission in three versions of the impreza: the base sedan and hatchback as well as the sport hatch. all others come with a cvt, and the msrp can range up to $27,195 for the top limited version of the hatchback. the two transmissions bring with them changes in how the all-wheel-drive system operates. for the manual, the impreza uses a continuous awd version that nominally distributes torque 50:50 front to rear. the cvt, on the other hand, has active awd technology, which "adjusts torque distribution based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction," subaru says.
there are three optional packages for the 2020 impreza that all include a power sunroof as well as various driver safety and convenience features. prices for these packages range from $1970 to $2470.