2019 Subaru Impreza

2019 Subaru Impreza Highlights

The 2019 Subaru Impreza may be a compact car, but its utility and capability are massive thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and advanced safety features. New for the 2019 model year is the addition of Subaru’s EyeSight collision-avoidance system on all trim levels. The 2019 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback body styles feature a surprising amount of room.

Key Details

• Compact body style available as a sedan or hatchback
• Two-row seating for up to five passengers
• Standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine
• Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) standard
• Available with a five-speed manual or Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT)
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is available on all trims
• Standard on Limited trim: EyeSight, reverse automatic braking, and high-beam assist
• Updated Starlink infotainment system with new features

Benefits

• AWD for traction and stability
• Available advanced safety features
• Sedan and hatchback body styles
• Spacious interior
• User-friendly technology with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Competitive fuel economy for an AWD vehicle
• Reputation for reliability and high resale value

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2019 Subaru Impreza Overview

Performance

The 2019 Subaru Impreza is powered by one engine across all trims:

2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine:

• 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque
• Available with five-speed manual transmission or Lineartronic CVT
• Symmetrical AWD standard on all models

This horizontally opposed Boxer engine provides a low center of gravity, contributing to the Impreza's balanced handling. However, drivers looking for more power should upgrade to Subaru’s performance-focused WRX or STI.

The standard symmetrical AWD system is a Subaru hallmark. It provides enhanced traction in foul weather conditions and continuously adjusts power distribution to the wheels with the best grip.

Transmission options include:

• Five-speed manual (standard on base 2.0i and Sport trims)
• Lineartronic CVT (available on all trims, standard on Premium and Limited)

The 2019 Subaru Impreza Sport trim adds some performance enhancements, including:

• Active Torque Vectoring for improved handling
• Sport-tuned suspension
• 18-inch alloy wheels

2019 Subaru Impreza tire sizes are 16 inches for the Base and Premium trims and 17 inches for the Limited.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2019 Impreza a top five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2019 Subaru Impreza a Top Safety Pick+, its highest designation, when equipped with optional front crash prevention and upgraded headlights.

Standard safety features across all 2019 Impreza trims include:

• Seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag
• Ring-shaped reinforcement frame
• Whiplash-reducing front seats
• Rearview camera

For 2019, Subaru has expanded the availability of its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, now available on all trims and standard on Limited, includes:

• Pre-collision braking
• Pre-collision throttle management
• Lane departure and sway warning
• Lane keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control

Additional available driver assistance features include:

• Blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
• Reverse automatic braking (standard on Limited)
• Steering responsive headlights

Driving

The 2019 Subaru Impreza is a miniature athlete, confident and competent at highway speeds or on tight city streets. Less athletic is the single-engine option, which lacks the power to push the car into excitement territory.

Choosing the CVT transmission improves efficiency and delivers power smoothly. Enthusiasts looking forward to a three-pedal setup will be disappointed by the five-speed manual’s notchy feel and lack of a sixth gear. Still, the steering is precise and well-weighted, offering good feedback to the driver.

Interior

The 2019 Subaru Impreza's interior is well-designed and has a simple, intuitive layout. Everything is user-friendly, and controls are placed within easy reach of the driver.

Though compact, the interior is surprisingly large. The 2019 Subaru Impreza hatchback editions, particularly, have impressive passenger and cargo space for their class. The front seats offer good comfort and support for long drives, with enough head and legroom for tall occupants. The rear seats provide comfortable accommodations for adult passengers.

Key interior features include:

• Cloth upholstery standard, with leather available on higher trims
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Available six-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Available heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle (Sport and Limited trims)
• Available power moonroof

Cargo space varies by body style:

• Sedan: 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space
• Hatchback: 20.8 cubic feet behind rear seats, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded

Technology

The 2019 Subaru Impreza has modern convenience, connectivity, and safety features. The Starlink infotainment system has been updated for this model year, offering improved functionality and new features.

Key technology features include:

• Standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system (8-inch available on higher trims)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
• Available Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Available built-in navigation system
• Standard rearview camera

Even the 2019 Subaru Impreza 2.0i gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen with a Starlink audio system and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The Premium trim now includes SiriusXM satellite radio and a single-disc CD player.

Higher trims offer additional tech features:

• 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
• Keyless access with push-button start
• 8-inch touchscreen with voice-activated controls

Fuel Economy

The 2019 Subaru Impreza offers competitive fuel economy ratings, especially considering its standard AWD system. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Impreza achieves the following fuel economy estimates:

2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with manual transmission:

• Sedan (mpg): 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined
• Sport Sedan (mpg): 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined
• Hatchback (mpg): 24 city / 31 highway / 26 combined
• Sport Hatchback (mpg): 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined

2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with CVT:

• Sedan (mpg): 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined
• Sport Sedan (mpg): 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined
• Hatchback (mpg): 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined
• Sport Hatchback (mpg): 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined

2019 Subaru Impreza Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book gave the 2019 Subaru Impreza an overall rating of 4.3 out of five. Owners praise the Impreza's reliability, styling, value, comfort, and quality.

Reasons to Buy It

• Large interior, especially considering its compact body style
• Standard AWD
• Intuitive UI featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Excellent fuel efficiency
• Strong safety ratings and available EyeSight system
• Sedan and hatchback body styles are available

Problems

• The base engine may feel underpowered for some drivers
• Interior materials in lower trims may feel less premium than some competitors
• Limited cargo space in the sedan variant
• A five-speed manual transmission may feel dated compared to six-speed competitors
• Road noise can be noticeable at highway speeds

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CoPilot's Take

The 2019 Subaru Impreza may not have the performance credentials of its WRX and STI siblings. However, its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, solid chassis, and well-tuned suspension make it an appealing option in the compact car segment. Its standout feature is the standard AWD system, a rarity in this class that provides added confidence in challenging driving conditions.

Buyers will appreciate its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and strong safety credentials. For 2019, EyeSight driver assistance features across all trim levels significantly enhance its appeal to safety-conscious buyers. Choosing between sedan and hatchback body styles adds versatility to the lineup, catering to different needs and preferences.

There are compromises, however. While adequate for daily driving, the base engine may feel underpowered to some drivers, especially during highway passing maneuvers. While offering a more engaging driving experience, the five-speed manual transmission feels outdated compared to the six-speed units provided by some competitors.

2019 Subaru Impreza FAQs

Is 2019 a good year for a Subaru Impreza?

Yes, 2019 is generally considered a good year for the Subaru Impreza. The expanded availability of the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology across all trim levels is a significant upgrade for this model year. Additionally, the Impreza continues to offer standard AWD, strong safety ratings, and a spacious interior.

How many miles will a 2019 Subaru Impreza last?

With proper maintenance, a 2019 Subaru Impreza can last 200,000 to 250,000 miles or more. Many owners report their Imprezas surpassing the 200,000-mile mark with regular maintenance, making a used 2019 Subaru Impreza a potentially smart long-term buy.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Impreza?

While the 2019 Subaru Impreza is generally reliable, some common issues reported by owners and noted in reviews include:

• Occasional infotainment system glitches or unresponsiveness
• Some complaints about wind noise at highway speeds
• Reports of excessive oil consumption in some units
• CVT transmission hesitation or jerkiness in some cases
• Windshield susceptibility to cracking
• Minor interior rattles or squeaks

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