Subaru Impreza RS hot hatch resurrected for 2024; sedan canceled

LOS ANGELES — Subaru is dropping the Impreza sedan and focusing efforts in the market for entry-level cars with a redesigned 2024 Impreza hatchback, giving the sixth-generation compact improved performance, upgraded safety and infotainment systems and a resurrected hot hatch RS trim level.

The Japanese brand revealed the redesigned 2024 Impreza on Thursday here at the Los Angeles Auto Show, 30 years after introducing the first-generation version at the 1992 show. While the brand will discontinue the four-door Impreza after the 2023 model year, it is bringing back the hot hatch RS trim level for the first time since 2007. A Subaru spokesman said the current hatchback version accounted for 73 percent of Impreza sales so far this year, with the sedan version making up the rest.

The new Impreza will be available in Convenience, Touring, and new RS and Sport-tech trim levels in Canada.

The Convenience and Touring models are powered by a 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp and 145 pound-feet of torque, while the RS and Sport-tech models will be powered by a 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and 178 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired to a continuously variable transmission.

The returning Impreza RS trim and Sport-tech trims distinguish themselves from the other trims with bolder exterior styling, special RS badging, standard 18-inch, dark grey alloy wheels, upgraded LED headlamps and fog lights, and black finish on the grille, side spoilers and side mirrors. The interiors feature an upgraded speaker system, power moonroof and driver seat, specialized trim accents and logo-emblazoned floormats, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter and aluminum alloy pedals. Sport-tech gains leather seating surfaces.

All-wheel drive will come standard and feature active torque vectoring to improve handling. Engineers also improved the Impreza's electronic power steering with the latest generation, the brand says, and improved torsional rigidity by 10 per cent to improve performance.

Inside the cabin, the Impreza hatch will feature a redesigned HVAC system, which the brand says will focus on occupied seats in an effort to improve fuel economy, though dual-zone climate controls come standard. For the first time, the Subaru Starling 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment system is available for Impreza.

The latest generation of Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance and safety suite comes standard across all trim levels. The brand says the improved system features a wider field of view, updated control software and a newly added electric brake booster, improving recognition of bicycles and pedestrians. Automatic emergency steering is included on models equipped with blind-spot detection and lane keeping, assisting with steering control to help avoid collisions at speeds less than 80 km/h.

Combined Canada sales of the Impreza sedan and hatchback fell 36 per cent to 2,091 through October. Canada’s compact car segment shrank 27 per cent to 101,065 in the first three quarters as consumers continue to embrace crossovers and automakers prioritize larger, more profitable light-truck output amid a shortage of key components, notably microchips.

At the same time, combined U.S. sales fell 3.2 per cent to 25,490 through October. The U.S. compact car segment shrank 32 per cent to 583,679 in the first three quarters.

Pricing details were not announced. The 2024 Impreza is expected to be available in dealerships in spring 2023, a Subaru spokesman said.