2026 Subaru Impreza: Trims, Pricing, Specs, and What’s Actually New

The 2026 Subaru Impreza keeps the formula simple: a practical 5-door hatchback with standard all-wheel drive, easy tech, and honest value. For 2026, Subaru trims the lineup, tweaks power, adds safety, and sets pricing that's still competitive. This guide is meant to be clear, fast to read, and useful.

 

Lineup: Two Trims, Less Noise

     
  • Sport - 2.0-liter BOXER® four (152 hp), CVT with paddle shifters (8-speed manual mode), standard Symmetrical AWD.
    •  
  • RS - 2.5-liter BOXER® four now rated at 180 hp (revised for stronger low-rpm response), same CVT, standard Symmetrical AWD.

The Base trim is gone for 2026. That's a cleaner lineup and fewer "gotchas" when you compare equipment.

Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

     
  • Sport: $26,595 MSRP / $27,790 with destination (includes $1,195 D&D; regional variance may apply).
    •  
  • RS: $29,495 MSRP / $30,690 with destination.

Subaru says U.S. retailer arrivals start in fall 2025. The car is assembled in Gunma, Japan. Simple and straightforward, the way it should be.

Powertrains & Driving Feel 

  • Sport (2.0-liter): 152 hp / 145 lb-ft. Balanced and efficient for daily commuting. 
  • RS (2.5-liter): 180 hp / 178 lb-ft (down 2 hp vs. last year, but tuned for better low-rpm torque response). Feels stronger in normal traffic. It's quicker, not just louder. 
  • Transmission: CVT with an 8-step manual mode and paddles. No manual gearbox, sadly. That's ok-most buyers want simple. 
  • AWD: Subaru's Symmetrical AWD is standard, always on, and confidence-building in bad weather.

Fuel Economy: What We Know Now

Final EPA ratings for 2026 were pending at press time. Expect numbers very close to 2025 (27/34 mpg city/highway for the 2.0L; ~26/33 for the 2.5L). In independent highway testing, an RS returned 37 mpg at 75 mph-better than its EPA highway figure. Real-world calm cruising helps.

 

Safety & What's New for 2026 

  • EyeSight® Driver Assist remains standard (pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, etc.). 
  • Emergency Lane-Keeping Assist now standard on models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. 
  • Rear-seat side airbags are new for 2026 and standard. 
  • Auto Vehicle Shutdown: the engine shuts off after ~30 minutes of idling to reduce waste.

Cabin & Tech 

  • 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia Plus touchscreen (wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™) is standard. 
  • Available RS package adds a Harman Kardon® 10-speaker system (432-watt equivalent amp), power moonroof, and 10-way power driver's seat. 
  • 60/40 split rear seats, wide hatch opening, and low load floor keep it useful. It's a hatch that acts like a small wagon, which is the point.

Design Notes 

  • Fresh paint choice: Citron Yellow Pearl joins the palette for 2026. 
  • RS gets dark 18-inch alloys, black badges, and sport trim cues, inside and out.

Who Should Pick Which? 

  • Sport: You want AWD value, commute-friendly power, and standard big-screen tech. Keep it simple, keep it light. 
  • RS: You want stronger passing power, richer audio, and a sportier look without giving up winter traction.

Bottom Line

The 2026 Impreza stays practical and honest. Two trims, clear pricing, standard AWD, and safety that keeps getting better. If you want traction, cargo usefulness, and low drama ownership, it fits. And yes, it's still a Subaru at heart-steady in February, easy the rest of the year.

References (official data & hard numbers) 

  • Subaru U.S. Media Center - 2026 Impreza pricing & RS power (180 hp): media.subaru.com 
  • PR Newswire mirror - Destination charge ($1,195), options, timing: prnewswire.com 
  • Subaru Consumer Site - 2026 Impreza overview, safety notes, rear-seat side airbags: subaru.com/vehicles/impreza 
  • Car and Driver - trim/pricing with destination, 0-60 test, 37-mpg highway result: caranddriver.com 
  • Kelley Blue Book - Base trim deleted, pricing with destination: kbb.com