2024 Subaru Impreza RS: a Great Reminder that You Like Cars
If you're feeling a little ho-hum behind the wheel these days, the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS reminds you that getting from A to B can be fun, too.
Sara Lacey
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I had More Fun than I Thought I Would in the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS.
A car is designed to get you from one place to another, and these days, many of them seem to do it in a way that’s quiet and effortless. They all have many features that cushion you, eliminate any sort of noise, and make your time in them a bit more zen.
But the flip side of that is you may forget that you like the sound of an engine. That you enjoy a little bit of the feel of the road. That the fun of being in a car is that it doesn’t mirror your living room. And the 2024 Subaru Impreza is a perfect reminder of that.
The Impreza starts at $22,995 without destination fees, and the RS (the highest trim) starts at $27,885 without destination fees.
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The back seat of the Subaru Impreza RS. Photo: Sara Lacey
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS Embraces its Automobile-ness in a Good Way
No, I’m not trying to subtly say that the Impreza is not comfortable and it’s too noisy. Far from it. The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS I tested gave me enough engine noise to remind me that I’m driving a car and it’s fun.
It gave me enough road feel to be engaged, but it didn’t rattle my teeth. The seats were comfortable enough to be in all day. And the fierce red color is the apple of my eye, making me feel sporty and seen everywhere I go.
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS has red trim on the seats that is distinctive, I loved it. There are aluminum sport pedals that remind you you’re in an upgraded version of the Impreza.
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The front end of the Subaru Impreza RS. Photo: Sara Lacey
Driving the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS in Different Venues Resulted in the Same Good Time
I actually had a chance to drive this car first at a press event in Colorado, where I drove it in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. And even though it was summer, we had some cold rain. The Impreza was so much fun, confident, and zippy at all times, even when there was slow traffic (people stopping to see the elk).
This car is fun to drive. Photo: Sara Lacey
The AWD made me feel capable of navigating any weird weather, and I was grateful. The Impreza conquered the high elevation with ease and accelerated well. But I was glad to test it for a week later in the year to spend some extended time in it.
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I love the red accents on the seats in this Subaru Impreza. Photo: Sara Lacey
The RS Gives Impreza Buyers More Features, More Power
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS has a bigger engine, a fancier upholstery option, Subaru Intelligent Drive (which provides different modes of driving), and an estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. It’s got all-wheel drive and a slew of driver assist and safety features.
The features I’m glad are standard on the RS are adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane centering. The Impreza RS has a blind-spot detection system that has a lane-change assist and rear-traffic warning for when you’re backing up. The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS also offers the Starlink safety system that does all kinds of remote diagnostics and allows you to start the car remotely, lock and unlock it, and even set the climate controls. It’s standard on the RS trim.
Everything you want is at your fingertips in the Subaru Impreza RS. Photo: Sara Lacey
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS Sounds Good. Literally.
The Impreza RS includes their upgraded Harman Kardon stereo system which I cranked up at all times. You’ll also get a wireless charging pad for your device. In essence, the Impreza does so well what it’s always done so well: Give you everything you want and need and nothing you don’t. It even has Wi-Fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It’s got a lot of tech, and it’s all straightforward to use.
The screen in the RS is bigger than in the base model, and the layout looks so sharp. It is easy to identify the icons you need. I do like that there are a few buttons and knobs for climate control and stereo volume. It should be noted that there is a driver information system between the gauges, and the gauges themselves are traditional, not digital screens.
There was lots of room for my things in the trunk of the Subaru Impreza. Photo: Sara Lacey
It’s Reliably Fun
I always had a good time behind the wheel of the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS every time I drove. I used the paddle shifters; they managed to make the CVT feel interesting, and I enjoyed getting the engine going. The steering was responsive. I liked the brakes and felt like they added to the driving experience because they weren’t spongy; they reacted nicely without throwing me around in a bad way. But also, I could just lay off and chill out, and it was a solid ride.
In the backseat, there is a fair amount of room for passengers, but there are few creature comforts. There are no air vents, and storage seems a bit thin, particularly because there is no storage pocket on the rear of the front seat. There are charge ports, and bottle holders in the doors, but no cupholders.
The cargo space is good. I put a carry-on suitcase and my backpack back there, and the Impreza RS could likely do three carryons and a couple of backpacks before encroaching on the visibility out the rear window. The Impreza is no longer available as a sedan, so know that the hatch is your only option when shopping around.
Side view of the Subaru Impreza. Photo: Sara Lacey
The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS is a Great Automotive Option for Everyone
All the stuff you wished for when you started driving, the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS has it. And maybe if you’re a bit older, it’s fun to remember what it’s like to drive a car that gives you rewarding feedback without making you feel out of your depth. And let’s not forget, it’s affordable, so you’re not out of your budgetary depth, either.
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