2018 Subaru Impreza

2018 is a carryover year for the second-generation-since-redesign (2017+) Impreza; the naturally aspirated 2.0L FB20 flat-4 remains the sole engine across every trim and body style, with no turbo or upgraded-output option.

Peak torque for the standard FB20 engine, unchanged from the 2017 redesign into the 2018 model year.

The CVT is the volume gearbox across the Impreza hatchback range (standard on Premium/Limited, optional on Base/Sport); instrumented testing places the CVT AWD 5-Door in the mid-to-high 9-second range, with 5-speed manual Base/Sport cars a second or so quicker.

The FB20 is adequate for around-town driving but strains and gets coarse under hard acceleration or highway passing, a widely repeated criticism of this generation's Impreza; contemporary reviewers describe it as underpowered for the car's weight.

Subaru's Lineartronic CVT uses programmed ratio 'steps' to mimic gear shifts and avoid constant drone, and is generally well-regarded for a CVT, though it doesn't fully disguise the engine's lack of low-end punch; the 5-speed manual (Base/Sport only) shifts cleanly but is a basic unit.

Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard equipment on every 2018 Impreza trim and body style — unusual for the compact class, where AWD is typically optional or unavailable — though it is a basic full-time system without low-range gearing or selectable terrain modes.

The 2018 Impreza offers a single engine (2.0L flat-4, naturally aspirated) with a choice of only two transmissions (5-speed manual or CVT); no turbo, hybrid, or electrified variant exists for this nameplate in this generation.

EPA combined rating for the volume CVT AWD Base/Premium 5-Door, the dominant configuration; Sport trim CVT rates slightly lower and 5-speed manual trims (Base/Sport only) lower still.

EPA city rating for the CVT AWD 5-Door, the volume configuration.

EPA highway rating for the CVT AWD 5-Door, the volume configuration.

Calculated from the Impreza's 13.2-gallon fuel tank capacity and the EPA combined rating for the CVT AWD 5-Door.

EPA annual fuel cost estimate for the CVT AWD 5-Door at standard 15,000 mi/yr assumptions.

The Impreza's flat-4 runs on regular unleaded across every trim and transmission, with no premium recommendation.

NHTSA's test of the redesigned 2017-2018-generation Impreza returned a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars in frontal, side, and rollover.

Good across the core crashworthiness suite (driver and passenger small overlap, moderate overlap, roof strength, head restraints) and Good on IIHS's original side test, earning 2018 Top Safety Pick+ — but only in the config pairing optional EyeSight with the Limited trim's LED headlights; the newer, stricter updated side-impact test came back Poor, a real structural weak point behind the headline award.

EyeSight (AEB, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, lane departure warning) is an optional package on Premium, Sport, and Limited for 2018, and isn't offered at all on the base trim — nothing in the ADAS suite is standard equipment on any trim, and blind-spot/rear-cross-traffic coverage is a further, separate option even on top-trim Limited.

IIHS rated the optional EyeSight system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, avoiding collision in both the 12 and 25 mph tests, but IIHS's pedestrian AEB test program didn't begin scoring model-year 2018-19 vehicles until 2019 so no pedestrian-specific rating is on record for this exact model year, and the whole suite is a paid option rather than standard.

Blind-spot detection with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert is alert-only (no active steering/braking intervention) and is a separate optional package on every trim including Limited for 2018 — there is no trim on which it comes standard.

Optional EyeSight adds lane departure warning and a corrective Lane Keep Assist nudge, but this is warning/mitigation rather than true centering — owner and enthusiast reports from this generation describe noticeable 'ping-ponging' corrective steering rather than smooth centering, and lane centering wasn't offered on the Impreza at all in 2018.

Optional EyeSight includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with full-speed-range operation down to a stop, but it's a paid add-on rather than standard, and there is no combined highway-assist mode pairing ACC with any form of lane centering.

No hands-free highway driving system was offered on the 2018 Impreza or anywhere in Subaru's lineup at the time.

IIHS rated headlights Good only on the top Limited+EyeSight package (LED projector with curve-adaptive and high-beam assist); base Limited LED headlights (no EyeSight) rated Acceptable, and every other configuration — Premium+EyeSight's halogen curve-adaptive units and the plain base/Premium/Sport halogen reflectors — rated only Marginal, so most buyers get a substandard set.

This all-new-for-2017 generation carried thin pillars and a low beltline that reviewers consistently cite as giving unusually good outward sightlines for the class, with IIHS's straightaway visibility check finding no blind zones on either side.

IIHS gave the 2018 Impreza's LATCH hardware a Good rating with extra LATCH positions available, providing easily reached lower anchors and enough rear-seat room to fit multiple child seats without excessive digging.

Standard 5-passenger seating across all 2018 Impreza hatchback trims (2.0i, Premium, Sport, Limited).

Front headroom for the 5th-generation (2017-2023) hatchback, without moonroof.

Front legroom for the 2018 Impreza 5-Door hatchback.

Rear headroom for the 2018 Impreza 5-Door hatchback.

Rear legroom is mid-pack for a compact hatchback — usable for adults on shorter trips but not a segment leader.

Cargo volume behind the rear seats for the 5-Door hatchback body style.

Conventional door pockets, center console bin and cupholders; nothing distinctive for the class — no giga-console or unusual flat-fold tricks.

Front seats are supportive for daily driving but cushions run flatter than segment leaders like the Civic; rear bench is tight for adults on long stints.

Widely praised as a highlight of the redesigned 5th-generation platform — a supple, well-controlled ride that outshines most compact-hatchback rivals.

Reasonably composed at cruising speed but the naturally aspirated 2.0L/CVT combination produces noticeable drone under acceleration, and wind/road noise is average for the class.

Heated front seats arrive on Premium and up; heated steering wheel is bundled into upper-trim packages; no rear climate vents or remote pre-conditioning in 2018 — comfort equipment is trim-gated and modest overall.

Entry hatchback trim with destination fee included, below the hatchback normalization floor.

Premium is Impreza's best-selling trim, priced well under the hatchback normalization floor.

Repair costs run slightly above the compact-car average; scheduled maintenance is typical for the class.

Subaru's traditionally strong resale holds for the Impreza, beating the compact-car segment average and exceeding the hatchback normalization ceiling.

Industry-standard basic coverage, at the floor of the normalization band — well short of Hyundai/Kia's 5–10 year basic warranties.

Standard powertrain term at the floor of the normalization band; the CVT extension was a goodwill campaign issued after the fact, not part of the as-sold warranty.

Subaru's 2-year/24,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance is a dealer-participation benefit rather than a guaranteed nationwide inclusion, and roadside assistance is bundled only for the length of the 3-year basic warranty — no connected-service trials or charging credits apply to this gas model.

$22,655 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (67% retained, or about $15,179) leaves about $7,476 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $12,976 in total.

Consumer Reports downgraded the 2018 Impreza to a 2-out-of-5 overall/predicted reliability rating, dropping it from a top compact-car finisher in the outgoing generation to #16 of 42 cars in CR's 2018 compact-car rankings. The redesigned Global Platform generation's in-car electronics (rearview camera, infotainment, phone pairing) remained the dominant trouble spot into its second model year.

Subaru slipped into the bottom quarter of all automakers in the 2018 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study at 167 PP100 versus an industry average that improved to 142 — a wider gap than the prior year's 164-vs-156 — with no Subaru model placing in the top three of its segment. The brand finished just ahead of bottom-dwellers Mitsubishi, Cadillac, Jeep, Fiat, Land Rover and Chrysler.

NHTSA lists 5 recalls touching the 2018 Impreza — two ECM software campaigns for ignition-coil short circuits causing stalling, a PCV valve separation recall (unexpected power loss), a low-pressure fuel pump recall (stall risk, shared Denso design also hitting Toyota), and a headlight reflector recall — continuing the stall-risk theme seen on the 2017 model. More notably for this specific model year, Subaru issued TSB 16-117-18 (Oct. 2018) extending the CVT powertrain warranty from 5yr/60k to 10yr/100k for 2018 Impreza/Crosstrek/Legacy/Outback/WRX/Forester, after 200+ NHTSA complaints about transmission slippage, delayed engagement and fluid issues on this model year — a broader corrective action than a typical clean TSB record.

The naturally aspirated FB20 2.0L four-cylinder itself remains a known, unproblematic quantity dating to 2012, but the Lineartronic CVT paired with it drew a real quality signal specific to this model year: owner reports of transmission slippage under acceleration, delayed engagement from park/reverse, grinding or whining noises, and fluid contamination/overheating, serious enough that Subaru extended the CVT powertrain warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles for 2018 models. The sealed, non-serviceable CVT design (no owner-checkable fluid level) has also produced documented cases of shops mishandling fluid changes and causing failures.

Edmunds' 2018 review keeps the same verdict as the redesign's launch year: a spacious, ergonomically sound cabin with legible controls and a useful secondary display, but 'lower quality interior materials than many rivals' remains listed as a con relative to class leaders.

Reviewers describe the Global Platform generation's build quality and fit and finish as a clear step up from the previous Impreza, with a solid, rattle-free structure and a well-finished cabin even at base trim — an assembly-quality picture that stands apart from the electronics and CVT complaints elsewhere in this category.

Subaru's roughly 630-dealer US network gave adequate nationwide coverage by 2018, and the brand's J.D. Power Customer Service Index standing was trending upward around this period (818 points in 2017, ahead of Toyota's 815) — a mid-pack-to-solid service reputation rather than top tier, and better than the brand's dependability standing would suggest.

Impreza parts are widely available through Subaru's national dealer network and shared parts with Crosstrek/WRX, with typical mainstream-compact repair costs; standard AWD hardware and the CVT (now under extended warranty for 2018 models) add modest routine-service cost versus FWD-only rivals but are not specialty or dealer-only expenses.

The volume Premium trim carries Subaru's Starlink 6.5-in Multimedia system; the 8.0-in unit is reserved for Sport and Limited.

First-generation Starlink touchscreen software of this era was criticized by contemporary reviewers as laggy with dated graphics, though physical controls beside the screen partly offset it.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all 2018 trims, but only via wired USB connection — wireless projection did not arrive on Impreza until later generations.

Basic voice command for phone/audio functions is present but unsophisticated; native navigation is an extra-cost option only on Limited and most owners default to phone-projection mapping instead.

Base 6-speaker audio is adequate but unremarkable; an 8-speaker Harman/Kardon system is available as a Sport-trim package upgrade and standard on Limited, giving a real step up for those trims.

Analog gauges with a small monochrome multi-function trip computer display — no configurable full-digital cluster is offered on any 2018 trim.

No over-the-air software update capability of any kind; the Starlink head unit of this generation required dealer visits or USB updates.

MySubaru/Starlink Safety Plus subscription enables remote lock/unlock, horn/lights and vehicle locate, but remote engine start was not added to Starlink-equipped Subarus until the 2019 model year, so 2018 owners lack it — and the core functions require a paid subscription.

A single USB port plus a 12V outlet up front is typical for the era; no wireless charging pad and no rear-row USB on any 2018 trim.

Keyless access with push-button start is standard from Sport trim up, but the base 2.0i and Premium volume trims still use a conventional key — full keyless convenience is not standard fleet-wide.

A standard rear-view camera is the extent of parking assistance on all trims; no factory parking sensors or surround-view camera were offered on the 2018 Impreza.

No head-up display was offered on any 2018 Impreza trim.

Rear doors open wide enough for car-seat installs and LATCH anchors are easy to reach, but the tight 36.5-in rear legroom and modest hatch opening make it a workable rather than effortless family hauler.

2018 Impreza earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 5-star NHTSA overall rating, but that top rating requires the EyeSight package plus LED steering-responsive headlights, which are optional (CVT-only) rather than standard on the affordable 2.0i/Premium trims families are most likely to buy.

Ride quality is genuinely good for multi-hour drives, but rear-seat space is tight for four adults and there are no rear climate vents or rear entertainment provisions.

Light, easy steering, good outward visibility and a compliant ride make the CVT-equipped Impreza a relaxed, low-fatigue daily driver in traffic.

EPA-rated 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined for the CVT hatchback with standard AWD is solidly average for a compact hatchback — respectable given AWD is standard, but not class-leading like a FWD competitor.

Compact hatchback footprint and a tight 35.4-ft turning circle make it easy to place in city traffic and tight parking, aided by a standard rearview camera.

No published tow rating and a small hatch opening mean the Impreza has essentially no work-hauling capability — it is a passenger car, not a load carrier.

Subaru's AWD drivetrain has a generally durable reputation, but the Impreza is not marketed or equipped for fleet/work abuse and its cloth interior and unibody structure are not work-hardened.

No onboard power outlets beyond a standard 12V, no tie-downs, and no upfit or rack ecosystem — the hatchback offers essentially nothing for jobsite use.

Good ride and adequate quietness support highway stints, and the optional EyeSight adaptive cruise reduces fatigue, but the ~31 mpg combined rating and modest tank size (~13.2 gal) put usable range and ADAS availability behind class leaders.

Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive across every 2018 trim — unusual in this segment — gives genuine gravel-road and light foul-weather confidence, though ground clearance (~5.1 in) limits true off-pavement use.

60/40 split-folding rear seats and a 20.8/55.3 cu ft cargo range are solid for the class and roof rails are available, giving reasonable gear-hauling flexibility for a compact hatchback.

The all-new 2017/18 global platform brought a notable handling improvement for the nameplate — well-controlled body roll, secure grip aided by standard AWD, and confident behavior on rough roads, praised as a segment strength.

Steering is light, quick and easy to place, but multiple contemporary reviews note it is short on genuine road feedback — precise rather than communicative.

Braking is adequate and consistent for a compact hatchback with no notable fade complaints, but pedal feel and stopping distances are unremarkable rather than a highlighted strength.

The naturally aspirated 2.0L FB20 paired with a CVT is smooth at low speed but response is leisurely under acceleration and the CVT holds high RPM with noticeable drone when pushed.

Engine noise becomes coarse and drony under acceleration due to the CVT holding revs — a common era-appropriate criticism of this powertrain pairing.

Tight turning diameter typical of the compact hatchback body style, aiding low-speed maneuverability.

Good outward visibility and a logically laid-out cabin with physical climate controls; seat/wheel adjustment range is sufficient for most drivers though telescoping range is modest.

Composed chassis and standard AWD make it a satisfying, confidence-inspiring drive, but the non-turbo 152-hp engine and CVT leave it short on outright excitement compared to hot-hatch peers.

Standard AWD across the entire 2018 Impreza lineup — including the $18,995 base 2.0i — undercuts rivals that charge extra for AWD or don't offer it at all in the compact segment; the base trim itself is still fairly basic (steel wheels, halogen headlights, cloth seats).

Standout ride/handling and standard all-wheel drive give it a real value edge for buyers who'd otherwise pay a premium for AWD, though outright tech and interior richness trail some FWD rivals at the same price point.

Four trims (2.0i, Premium, Sport, Limited) across sedan and hatchback body styles, with a manual available on lower trims, gives a reasonable spread — but there's no turbo/performance step-up within Impreza itself, since that role is served by the separate WRX.

76,400 US sales in 2018 is a steady mid-pack showing for Subaru's volume nameplate, down from the 2017 redesign-launch peak but not a decline signaling weak acceptance.

Subaru carries a loyal, growing following built on standard AWD and a safety-first image; the brand posted record-setting US sales through 2017 into 2018, reflecting real image momentum rather than a legacy reputation alone.

Subaru's low-incentive, low-haggle reputation holds for the Impreza — real-world 2018 deals were modest (roughly $1,000 off MSRP, occasional lease cash), well short of the aggressive discounting common elsewhere in the compact class.

2018 is the second model year of the all-new fifth generation, introduced for 2017 on Subaru's new Global Platform — current with no imminent redesign, since the next generation doesn't arrive until 2024.

An IIHS Top Safety Pick+ plus multiple Kelley Blue Book 2018 accolades and consistently favorable reviews for ride and handling — solidly well-regarded, though not a repeat comparison-test winner across every publication.