The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with manufacturers striving to create vehicles that meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. One of the most anticipated upcoming releases is the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door, which promises to deliver a combination of style, performance, and practicality. This comprehensive overview will delve into the significant redesign of the Impreza, exploring its exterior and interior enhancements, powertrain and performance capabilities, safety features, technology offerings, and pricing and availability details.
The 2026 Impreza Base 5‑Door is poised to make a strong impression with its bold and modern exterior design. Its sleek body lines, redesigned grille, and updated headlights and taillights create a visually striking presence on the road. Inside, the cabin has been transformed with a focus on comfort and functionality. The new dashboard, premium materials, and advanced technology features elevate the driving experience to new heights.
2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door Redesign Overview
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door has been redesigned, introducing significant changes and updates. This redesign marks a new era for the Impreza, enhancing its overall performance, aesthetics, and technology.
Key changes in the new model include a bolder and more aggressive exterior design, a redesigned interior with improved materials and features, and a range of new safety and driver-assistance technologies. The Impreza also boasts improved fuel efficiency and enhanced handling dynamics, making it a more compelling choice in the compact car segment.
Exterior Design
The exterior of the 2026 Impreza has undergone a comprehensive redesign, resulting in a more assertive and modern appearance. The front fascia features a wider grille with a honeycomb mesh pattern, flanked by sleek LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights. The side profile is characterized by sharp character lines and sculpted surfaces, while the rear end features a new spoiler and redesigned taillights.
Interior Design
The interior of the 2026 Impreza has been significantly upgraded, with a focus on improving comfort, convenience, and technology. The cabin features a new dashboard with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a redesigned center console, and upgraded materials throughout. The seats have been redesigned for improved support and comfort, and the rear seats offer more legroom and headroom.
Technology
The 2026 Impreza comes equipped with a range of new technology features, including a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The system also features voice control, navigation, and a premium audio system. The Impreza also offers a suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Powertrain
The 2026 Impreza is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Impreza also offers a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
Safety
The 2026 Impreza has been designed to meet the highest safety standards. The car comes equipped with a range of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Impreza also offers a suite of advanced safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Exterior Design
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5-Door has undergone significant exterior design changes, giving it a more modern and sporty appearance. The most noticeable change is the new body lines, which are sharper and more angular than before. This gives the Impreza a more aggressive stance and makes it look more planted on the road.
The grille has also been redesigned and now features a hexagonal shape with a black honeycomb mesh insert. This gives the Impreza a more distinctive front end and makes it more recognizable on the road. The headlights have also been redesigned and now feature LED technology. They are more angular than before and give the Impreza a more modern look.
The taillights have also been redesigned and now feature a C-shaped design. They are more distinctive than before and give the Impreza a more upscale look.
Overall, the exterior design changes of the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5-Door are a significant improvement over the previous model. The new body lines, grille, headlights, and taillights give the Impreza a more modern and sporty appearance that is sure to turn heads.
Exterior Design Features
- Sharper and more angular body lines
- Hexagonal grille with black honeycomb mesh insert
- LED headlights
- C-shaped taillights
Interior Design
The interior of the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door has undergone a comprehensive redesign, offering a more modern and refined cabin experience.
The most striking update is the new dashboard, which features a sleek and minimalist design. The central touchscreen is now larger and more prominent, providing easy access to the infotainment system. The climate controls have been redesigned and relocated below the touchscreen, creating a cleaner and more intuitive layout.
The seats have also been redesigned to provide improved comfort and support. The front seats offer adjustable lumbar support and side bolsters, while the rear seats have been widened to accommodate three adults comfortably. The materials used throughout the cabin have been upgraded, with soft-touch surfaces and premium fabrics creating a more luxurious feel.
Technology features have also been enhanced in the 2026 Impreza. The infotainment system now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and it offers a variety of connected services, including navigation, remote start, and vehicle diagnostics. A new premium audio system is also available, providing a richer and more immersive listening experience.
Overall, the interior of the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door has been significantly improved over the previous model. The new design is more modern and refined, the materials are more premium, and the technology features are more advanced.
Comparison of Interior Features
The following table compares the interior features of the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door with the previous model:
| Feature | 2026 Model | Previous Model |
|—|—|—|
| Dashboard | Redesigned with larger touchscreen and relocated climate controls | Traditional design with smaller touchscreen |
| Seats | Redesigned with adjustable lumbar support and side bolsters | Less supportive seats with limited adjustability |
| Materials | Upgraded with soft-touch surfaces and premium fabrics | Lower-quality materials with more hard plastics |
| Technology | Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services | Optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, limited connected services |
| Audio system | Premium audio system available | Basic audio system standard |
Powertrain and Performance
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door comes with a single powertrain option, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate power for daily driving.
Fuel Efficiency
The Impreza Base 5‑Door offers impressive fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars on the market.
Performance
The Impreza Base 5‑Door accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is comparable to other compact cars in its class. It handles well, with responsive steering and a comfortable ride. The all-wheel drive system provides excellent traction in all weather conditions.
Safety Features
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door prioritizes safety with an array of advanced features designed to protect occupants and mitigate the risk of collisions.
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard, providing a comprehensive suite of safety aids. This system includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking, which can detect potential hazards and intervene to prevent accidents.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems
EyeSight monitors the road ahead using stereo cameras, providing real-time feedback and alerts to the driver. The adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance, while the lane departure warning system warns the driver if they unintentionally drift out of their lane. Automatic emergency braking engages if the system detects an imminent collision, applying full braking power to avoid or mitigate an accident.
Crash Test Ratings and Safety Awards
The Impreza has earned impressive crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It received a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, the highest safety accolade awarded by the organization. These accolades attest to the Impreza’s exceptional safety performance and its commitment to protecting occupants.
Technology and Connectivity
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door is equipped with a comprehensive suite of technology and connectivity features, designed to enhance the driving experience and keep you connected on the road.
The Impreza features a user-friendly infotainment system that can be controlled through a high-resolution touchscreen display. The system offers smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to access your favorite apps, music, and navigation tools directly from the car’s display.
Navigation capabilities are provided by an integrated GPS system, which offers turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates. The system can also be used to search for points of interest, such as restaurants, gas stations, and parking lots.
The Impreza is equipped with a premium audio system that delivers crystal-clear sound throughout the cabin. The system features multiple speakers and a powerful amplifier, providing an immersive listening experience for all occupants.
Available Audio Systems
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door offers a choice of two audio systems:
- Standard Audio System: The standard audio system features six speakers and a 100-watt amplifier, providing clear and balanced sound.
- Premium Audio System: The premium audio system features nine speakers and a 200-watt amplifier, delivering a more powerful and immersive listening experience.
Pricing and Availability
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door is expected to hit the market in late 2025, with a starting price of around £18,000. Three trim levels will be available: Base, Premium, and Sport.
The Base trim will come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and all-wheel drive. Standard features will include 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a rearview camera.
The Premium trim will add 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sport trim will feature 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door will be available in a range of colours, including Crystal Black Silica, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Crimson Red Pearl, and Sapphire Blue Pearl.
Competition and Comparisons
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5-Door will face competition from several established players in the compact car segment. Key rivals include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte.
Key Competitors
The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are perennial best-sellers in the compact car segment, offering a combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and value. The Mazda3 stands out with its sporty handling and premium interior, while the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte offer competitive features and pricing.
Feature and Performance Comparison
The Impreza Base 5-Door will come standard with a 2.0-liter flat-four engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This is comparable to the Civic’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine (180 horsepower, 177 lb-ft) and the Corolla’s 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine (169 horsepower, 151 lb-ft). The Mazda3 offers a more powerful 2.5-liter engine (186 horsepower, 186 lb-ft), while the Elantra and Forte have 2.0-liter engines with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft, respectively.
In terms of fuel economy, the Impreza Base 5-Door is expected to be competitive with its rivals. The Civic and Corolla both offer hybrid variants with impressive fuel efficiency ratings, while the Mazda3, Elantra, and Forte have slightly lower fuel economy estimates.
Pricing and Availability
The 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5-Door is expected to have a starting price in the low-$20,000 range. This is comparable to the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3, which all have base prices in the mid-$20,000s. The Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are slightly less expensive, with starting prices in the low-$20,000s.
Summary Table
The following table summarizes the key differences and similarities between the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5-Door and its competitors:
| Feature | Impreza Base 5-Door | Honda Civic | Toyota Corolla | Mazda3 | Hyundai Elantra | Kia Forte |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| Engine | 2.0-liter flat-four | 1.5-liter turbocharged | 2.0-liter naturally aspirated | 2.5-liter | 2.0-liter | 2.0-liter |
| Horsepower | 152 | 180 | 169 | 186 | 147 | 132 |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 186 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy (EPA est.) | N/A | 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway (hybrid) | 30 mpg city/41 mpg highway (hybrid) | 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway | 33 mpg city/43 mpg highway | 31 mpg city/41 mpg highway |
| Starting Price | $20,000 (est.) | $24,650 | $21,150 | $24,250 | $19,850 | $19,490 |
Answers to Common Questions
What are the key changes in the exterior design of the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door?
The 2026 Impreza Base 5‑Door features a bolder and more modern exterior design, characterized by sleek body lines, a redesigned grille, updated headlights with LED technology, and redesigned taillights.
What interior enhancements can be found in the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door?
The cabin of the 2026 Impreza Base 5‑Door has been redesigned with a focus on comfort and functionality. It boasts a new dashboard, premium materials, and advanced technology features, including a larger touchscreen infotainment system and improved connectivity options.
What powertrain options are available in the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door?
The 2026 Impreza Base 5‑Door offers a choice of two powertrains: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 2.5-liter direct-injection engine. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offer improved fuel efficiency and performance.
What safety features are included in the 2026 Subaru Impreza Base 5‑Door?
The 2026 Impreza Base 5‑Door comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera.