2019 Subaru Impreza

The naturally aspirated 2.0L flat-four is the sole engine across the 2019 Impreza lineup (2.0i, Premium, Sport, Limited) in both sedan and 5-Door body styles — a carry-over year within the 5th generation (2017-2023) with no powertrain changes.

Same 2.0L FB20 engine and torque figure across every 2019 Impreza trim and both body styles.

Modest output, standard AWD's extra mass, and a CVT tuned for economy over speed put the Impreza near the bottom of the segment's acceleration range.

The FB20 boxer is smooth and unobtrusive at low load and cruise, but strains and gets vocal under hard acceleration; adequate but unremarkable delivery for daily driving.

Subaru's Lineartronic CVT uses stepped 'shift' logic to mimic a conventional automatic and avoids the worst of classic CVT drone, but it doesn't always respond as expected and hunts/holds high revs under sustained throttle; the optional 5-speed manual is precise but slow-shifting by segment standards.

Subaru's Symmetrical AWD is standard on every 2019 Impreza trim, both body styles, and both transmissions — a segment differentiator versus FWD-only rivals like the Corolla and Civic hatchbacks — but it is a basic full-time system with no low-range, torque-vectoring, or terrain-mode hardware.

A single naturally aspirated 2.0L engine across the entire 2019 Impreza range, with only a manual-vs-CVT choice — no turbo, hybrid, or PHEV variant (the turbocharged WRX/WRX STI are separate Subaru nameplates).

EPA combined rating for the volume 5-Door CVT trim; all trims run the same 2.0L engine with standard AWD, so the spread across trims/body styles is narrow.

EPA city figure for the volume 5-Door CVT trim.

EPA highway figure for the volume 5-Door CVT trim.

Standard-issue compact fuel tank limits range despite decent MPG; every AWD Impreza CVT trim shares the same 13.2-gallon tank.

EPA's standard annual cost estimate for the volume 5-Door CVT trim at 31 MPG combined on regular gas.

The Impreza's 2.0L engine runs on regular unleaded across every trim, with no premium recommendation despite standard AWD.

NHTSA's test of the 2019 Impreza returned a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars in frontal, side, and rollover.

Good across the original crashworthiness suite (small overlap both sides, moderate overlap, original side, roof strength, head restraints), but the current IIHS record for this generation shows Poor on the updated side-impact test. Subaru's own 2019 press materials claimed a Top Safety Pick+ among 'seven 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards,' but that designation applies only to configs with the optional EyeSight front crash prevention package and the Limited trim's LED headlights — the volume Premium/Sport trims run Marginal-rated halogen headlights and don't qualify for the top tier.

EyeSight (AEB, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning) is standard only on the top Limited trim for 2019 — on the volume 2.0i/Premium/Sport trims it's a paid, CVT-only option ($845 on base, $1,395 on Premium, $2,945 on Sport), and manual-transmission cars can't get it at all. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are bundled into that same optional package or standard on Limited only, so the core safety suite — not just BSM — is locked off the volume configuration.

IIHS rated EyeSight's front crash prevention Superior for both vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime pedestrian detection when the optional system is equipped — the top tier of that test.

Blind-spot detection with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert is alert-only (no active steering/braking intervention) and for 2019 is only reachable via Premium's $1,395 EyeSight package or standard on the top Limited trim — most buyers of the volume trim go without it entirely rather than paying extra for just BSM.

EyeSight provides lane departure/sway warning and a corrective lane-keep nudge, but no true hands-on lane-centering function (reserved for other Subaru models at the time), and for 2019 it's an optional CVT-only system rather than standard equipment on the volume trim.

EyeSight's Adaptive Cruise Control covers the full speed range down to a stop when equipped, but there's no combined highway-assist mode pairing it with lane centering, and for 2019 it's a paid, CVT-only option rather than standard — unlike the following model year.

No hands-free highway driving system was offered on the 2019 Impreza or anywhere in Subaru's lineup at the time.

IIHS rated the LED projector headlights on the Limited trim Good, but the halogen reflector units fitted to base 2.0i, Premium, and Sport (even with the EyeSight package) rated only Marginal — most buyers get the weaker set.

Reviewers consistently cite the Impreza's thin pillars and low beltline as giving unusually good outward sightlines for the class, a structural trait unchanged within this generation.

IIHS gave the Impreza's LATCH hardware its top Good+ ease-of-use rating, with two complete, easily reached lower-anchor sets and enough rear-seat space to fit both a front driver and a rear-facing seat comfortably.

Standard 5-passenger seating across all 2019 Impreza 5-Door trims (2.0i, Premium, Sport, Limited).

Front headroom is near the top of the compact hatchback band; unchanged within the 2017-2023 (5th-generation) platform.

Generous front legroom for the segment, unchanged across this generation.

Above-average rear headroom for a compact hatchback with a fastback-influenced roofline.

Rear legroom is on the tighter side of the compact hatchback band, typical for the class and unchanged this generation.

20.8 cu ft is above the midpoint of the compact hatchback band, a strength of the 5-Door body style.

Conventional console bin, door pockets, and a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat cover the basics with no standout storage innovation.

Front seats are supportive for daily and highway driving, but the driver's seat lacks adjustable lumbar support on lower trims and rear cushioning is average for the class.

Widely praised as a highlight of the redesigned Subaru Global Platform — a supple, well-controlled ride that leads most compact-hatchback rivals.

Quieter than prior Impreza generations thanks to added sound deadening on the new platform, but engine drone under acceleration and road noise remain noticeable on longer drives.

Heated front seats are bundled into the optional All-Weather Package on Premium (not standard); Sport/Limited add heated seats via trim equipment; no heated wheel or rear climate vents on any trim.

Entry hatchback trim with 5-speed manual; stepping to the CVT adds $1,000 ($20,980).

Premium CVT is the volume configuration — the step most buyers take up from base for a moonroof, keyless entry and the availability of the EyeSight/Blind-Spot/foglight option package.

Splits the difference between RepairPal's low annual-repair figure and Edmunds' higher 15,000mi/yr True Cost to Own methodology for this generation; Subaru's 6-month/6,000-mile service interval means more frequent (if individually cheap) dealer visits than a Civic or Corolla.

Now old enough (7 model years) to have realized rather than projected depreciation; retains value better than the compact-car segment average despite the Impreza losing its long-running KBB Best Resale Value crown to the Civic for this model year.

Standard mainstream-brand basic warranty length, at the floor of the segment band, unchanged across the generation.

Matches the mainstream-brand floor; well short of Hyundai/Kia's 10-year powertrain coverage.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance is included, but Subaru bundles free 24-hour roadside assistance (towing, jump-starts, flat-tire change, lockout, fuel delivery) for the length of the 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty — basic roadside coverage without a maintenance plan.

$22,980 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (65.5% retained, or about $15,052) leaves about $7,928 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,900 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $11,828 in total.

Consumer Reports rates the 2019 Impreza's overall/predicted reliability as about average for the model year — a real recovery from the 2017 launch year's below-average showing — but U.S. News' CR-derived predicted-reliability rating still lands at only 2.5/5, and owner complaint volume (193 NHTSA complaints for the model year, concentrated in transmission and electronics) keeps it from a clean average grade.

Subaru continued to trail the industry average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study through this period — 164 PP100 vs. 156 industry in 2017, 167 vs. 142 in 2018 — and while the brand improved roughly 31 PP100 in the 2019 study (industry average 136 PP100 that year), Torque News and J.D. Power coverage both describe Subaru as still below the industry average rather than having closed the gap, continuing a multi-year run of mid-to-lower-pack dependability standing.

NHTSA lists 5 recalls touching the 2019 Impreza: an ECM software campaign where the module could keep powering the ignition coil after shutoff, causing a short circuit and stall risk (2017-2019 Impreza, 2018-2019 Crosstrek); a low-pressure in-tank fuel pump that can fail (2018-2020 Impreza, shared with other Subaru/Toyota models); and a headlight reflector recall carried over from the 2017-2019 run. Fewer and less severe than the 2017 launch year's 7 recalls, but the stall-risk ECM issue keeps this short of a clean, minor-only record.

The naturally aspirated FB20 2.0L four-cylinder remained a mature, well-understood engine by 2019 with no systemic failure pattern, but owner and forum reports for this model year describe the Lineartronic CVT limiting itself at low RPM, feeling stuck in the wrong ratio under light throttle from a stop, and in some cases requiring valve-body or full transmission replacement — more concrete complaint volume than the CVT's later, more settled years.

Reviewers describe the cabin as a mixed bag — soft-touch surfaces at primary touch points paired with hard plastics elsewhere — competitive for a mainstream compact but behind class leaders like the Civic; Edmunds' 2019 review specifically flags interior materials and engine responsiveness as relative weak points versus rivals.

Assembly quality remained a strength of the Subaru Global Platform generation carried into its third model year — no widespread panel-gap or rattle complaints turned up in owner or press reviews for 2019 — consistent with the solid build quality the redesign earned at launch and held through 2020.

Subaru's several-hundred-dealer US network gave adequate nationwide coverage by 2019, and the brand posted a J.D. Power Customer Service Index score of 829 that year — a mid-pack mass-market standing that improved further into 2020 (9th of 19 brands) — short of a top-tier service reputation at this point in the timeline.

Impreza parts are widely available through Subaru's national dealer network and shared parts with Crosstrek/WRX, with repair costs typical for a mainstream compact; standard AWD hardware and the CVT add modest routine-service cost versus FWD-only rivals but remain ordinary rather than specialty or dealer-only expenses.

The volume Premium trim carries the 6.5-in STARLINK touchscreen; the 8.0-in unit is reserved for Sport and Limited.

STARLINK retains helpful physical volume/tune knobs and is usable, but period reviews note laggy touch response and dated graphics relative to segment leaders.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across every 2019 Impreza trim (new for this model year), but only via wired USB connection — no wireless projection was offered on this generation.

Built-in voice command is basic Bluetooth-based control, and TomTom native navigation is available only on the top Limited trim's 8-in display — most owners rely on phone projection instead.

Base audio is adequate but unremarkable; a Harman Kardon premium system is available on Sport (and Limited), not on lower trims.

The 2019 Impreza uses analog gauges with a small 4.2-in color LCD multi-function display on EyeSight-equipped cars (8-in high-grade cluster reserved for Limited), not a configurable full-digital cluster.

Subaru's STARLINK system in this era had no meaningful over-the-air update capability for infotainment or vehicle software.

SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security features are available from Premium up, offering remote lock/unlock, locate, and (with the paid Safety Plus tier) remote start — subscription-gated.

Dual rear USB ports are standard from Premium up plus a 12V outlet, but wireless phone charging was not offered on any 2019 Impreza trim.

Keyless Access with Push-Button Start is reserved for Sport and Limited trims; the volume 2.0i/Premium trims use a conventional key, with remote functions available only through the paid app subscription.

A rear-vision camera with steering-linked guidelines is standard across the line, but there are no front/side parking sensors or 360-degree camera on any trim.

No head-up display is offered on any 2019 Impreza trim.

The 5-door hatchback has usable door openings and a 60/40 split rear seat with standard LATCH anchors, but 36.5 in of rear legroom makes car-seat installation and daily loading tighter than compact-SUV rivals.

The 2019 Impreza earned a 5-star NHTSA overall rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but TSP+ requires the optional EyeSight package and specific headlights — EyeSight is standard only on the top Limited trim and costs extra ($1,395 package) on the volume Premium trim. IIHS's updated side-impact test also rated the structure 'Poor,' a real weakness.

Ride quality is a genuine strength for multi-hour trips, but the compact rear seat, lack of rear climate vents, and modest 20.8 cu ft cargo hold limit gear capacity for a full family.

The CVT delivers smooth, low-fatigue behavior in traffic, and reviewers consistently describe the Impreza as an easy, relaxing daily driver with direct steering and good visibility.

28/38/32 mpg city/highway/combined with the CVT is strong for a compact car with standard all-wheel drive, undercutting most AWD competitors' running costs.

A compact footprint, tight 35.4-ft turning circle, and standard rear camera make the Impreza easy to park and thread through city streets.

Subaru does not publish a tow rating for the Impreza and cargo capacity (20.8 cu ft) is modest — it is not positioned or equipped as a work vehicle.

Subaru's AWD drivetrain has a reputation for holding up well, but the Impreza is not fleet-proven for heavy work use, and this generation's CVT/oil-consumption concerns temper confidence under sustained hard use.

No onboard power beyond 12V/USB, no tie-down points, and no rack or upfit ecosystem — the hatchback body offers essentially no work-focused provisions.

A comfortable ride and roughly 450 miles of highway range support long trips, but adaptive cruise (EyeSight) is optional rather than standard on the volume Premium trim, and sustained road noise takes the edge off.

Standard AWD gives genuine gravel/light-snow confidence, but roughly 5.3 in of ground clearance and modest power keep it well short of a true adventure vehicle.

60/40 split-folding rear seats expand cargo to 55.3 cu ft for bulkier gear, and roof rails are standard on the 5-Door from Premium up, giving reasonable flexibility for a compact hatchback.

Reviewers consistently praise the Subaru Global Platform chassis for composed, flat cornering and surprising grip even on base trims, a class strength.

Steering is described as lively, direct, and quick — a standout for a mainstream compact hatchback.

Instrumented testing of the 5th-generation Impreza found a firm pedal and short stopping distances that are exemplary for the class.

The 152-hp flat-four is smooth at cruise but strains and the CVT drones under harder acceleration, a common criticism of this generation.

The boxer engine's exhaust note is softer than prior generations thanks to added insulation, but CVT drone is audible under hard acceleration.

A tight turning circle for the segment, aiding low-speed maneuverability; unchanged this generation.

Good outward visibility, a logically arranged dash, and comfortable seating position are consistently praised, with only minor gripes about missing driver lumbar adjustment on lower trims.

An engaging chassis and steering are undercut by the modest 152-hp output and CVT, making the base Impreza pleasant rather than genuinely exciting (unlike the related WRX built on the same platform).

All-wheel drive is standard on every trim including base — a genuine segment rarity versus FWD-only Civic/Corolla/Mazda3/Elantra hatchbacks — but 2019 is the year EyeSight became merely available across the line rather than standard: it's bundled in an $845+ option package on Base/Premium/Sport and standard only on the top Limited.

Standard AWD at every trim remains the Impreza's clearest content-per-dollar differentiator, but the 2019 price step (+$100-125 over 2018) combined with active-safety tech costing extra on all but the top trim keeps overall value middling rather than standout.

Four trims (2.0i, Premium, Sport, Limited) across sedan and 5-door body styles span roughly $19k-$26k with manual or CVT on 2.0i/Sport, a reasonable spread but a single engine/AWD powertrain throughout — no hybrid, turbo, or FWD-for-less variant.

66,415 US units in 2019 is down 13% from 76,400 in 2018, the start of a multi-year decline that continued through 2022, though 2019 volume is still well above the 43,628 and 34,791 the nameplate would fall to in 2020 and 2021.

Subaru ranked highest overall — not just among mass-market brands — in J.D. Power's inaugural 2019 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, reflecting an unusually loyal, trust-driven following relative to its sticker price.

Subaru is well known for thin margins and limited dealer discounting versus mainstream rivals; with 2019 volume still comparatively healthy there was little incentive pressure to discount the Impreza.

2019 sits in year three of the 2017-2024 generation, ahead of the 2020 'big minor change' exterior refresh — current and mechanically sound, with the year's only real update being EyeSight's expanded (if still optional) availability, not a styling or platform change.

The 2019 Impreza (5-door and sedan) earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with EyeSight and LED steering-responsive headlights, one of seven Subaru models to do so — but it lost its five-year-running KBB Best Resale Value Award for compact cars to the Honda Civic this model year, and reviewers continued to favor the redesigned Mazda3 and Civic/Corolla for refinement and styling.