The 2027 Subaru Impreza now gets a more powerful engine across both trims, at a lower starting price.
As the whole idea of an “affordable” car evaporates before our eyes, actually seeing an update where pricing trends downwards is certainly nice to see. That’s the case with the 2027 Subaru Impreza, which is getting a $1,950 cut to its starting MSRP. Now, you can expect to pay $25,840 for the base Sport model, while the RS carries over unchanged at $30,840 (though destination charges are increasing by $50 to $1,245 for the upcoming model year). That’s not all, though: The Sport is also giving you more power for your money.
If you go for the base model Impreza, you’ll get the same 180-horsepower, 2.5-liter Boxer engine that was formerly just available with the RS. The old, 152-horsepower 2.0-liter version is now completely gone. You still get a continuously variable transmission, of course, as well as all-wheel drive. That is a decent power boost, and while it doesn’t turn the Impreza into a sports car — folks leaning in that direction still have the WRX — it’s still surprisingly zippier than the specs would suggest…unlike the smaller powerplant.
Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance suite comes standard on every 2027 Impreza. That includes features like emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane centering and adaptive cruise control, as well as steering-adaptive headlights with high-beam assist. Springing for the pricier RS adds more features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
What are you losing out on with the Sport vs the RS, then?
Starting out, the 2027 Subaru Impreza Sport gets you a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push-button start, and a dual 7.0-inch stacked infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual-zone automatic climate control, USB-A and USB-C charging ports and SiriusXM satellite radio also come as part of the standard package, so the Sport is plenty well-equipped for the money.
Stepping up to the RS gets you a sportier look, for a start, by way of larger 18-inch wheels, a roof spoiler and sportier looking cloth upholstery. You also get Subaru’s larger 11.6-inch infotainment setup, though it’s not the newer operating system we’ve seen in models like the new Outback — this is still the setup that’s been around for the past few years. The all-weather package with heated front seats, mirrors and a de-icer for the windshield wipers is standard on the RS, though it has been available as part of a $1,900 package on the Sport as well.
Finally, the Impreza RS gets the option of a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a power moonroof, and a 10-way power-adjustable front seat with lumbar support as part of a $2,070 package. Across the lineup, a slate of seven colors is available, with Ignition Red (a staple color for the WRX over the past few years) replacing last year’s Pure Red in the palette. Citron Yellow Pearl, which carries over from earlier model years, is a $395 option.
The 2027 Subaru Impreza will start hitting dealerships in the next few weeks. While the RS remains the best-equipped option in the lineup, the Sport gets a pretty solid value-add with the more potent engine, so that may bring a few more buyers into the fold.
