All the Best Subaru Compact Cars
The Subaru Impreza is the automaker’s smallest compact car option, but it’s not nearly as popular as larger Subarus, like the Outback and Forester.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Subaru Impreza is a compact, affordable option for those interested in all-wheel drive safety, but its cut-rate interior could be a turn off for many.
Subaru is known for its lineup of outdoorsy and rally inspired vehicles, almost all of which come equipped with standard all-wheel drive. But they’re not necessarily known for their compact options. But if compact is what you’re looking for, then
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super has, has what you need.In this guide we’ll cover all the compact options Subaru has for both cars and SUVs, and we’ll even throw in some tips to help you find the lowest
Subaru insurance costs
.2022 Subaru compact and subcompact car models
There are three Subaru compact cars to choose from for 2022: one compact sedan, a coupe, and a compact sports car. Let’s take a closer look at all three.
2022 Subaru Impreza ($20,290 MSRP)
The Impreza isn’t often the first model to come to mind when buyers consider Subaru. Unlike its affordable, yet often surprisingly well-equipped stable-mates, the Impreza is a budget option that also looks and feels like a budget option.
Edmunds awards the Impreza an unimpressive 7.4/10, while Car and Driver offers the model an icy 6/10—surprisingly low given C/D’s affinity for cars with hatchback options at every trim. On J.D. Power’s list of Best Compact and Small Cars of 2022, the Impreza ranks 5th out of a field of 12.
All things considered, the Subaru Impreza manages to find a niche market among drivers looking for the option of hatchback practicality,
impressive safety ratings
, and the sure-footedness of Subaru’s almost exclusively all-wheel drive lineup.Highlights of the Impreza include:
- Standard all-wheel drive, forward-collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure mitigation on all models
- 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
- IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2022
- Models from $20,290 to $27,355 MSRP
Weaknesses include:
- Unremarkable fuel economy
- Sluggish acceleration
- Low-quality interior materials
2022 Subaru BRZ ($28,990 MSRP)
In a world of continually increasing car sizes, the compact-car segment has become hyper-competitive—but it’s nothing compared to the competition in the ever-dwindling coupe class. The 2022 Subaru BRZ takes pride of place in this class with an overall 9.5/10 rating from Car and Driver, plus a 10 Best nod and an Editor’s Choice Award.
The folks at Edmunds are a little less impressed, offering a comparatively lackluster 8.3/10 for the sporty coupe, citing an unimpressive audio system, and highway noise as serious drawbacks. However, most buyers are likely to agree with C/D, favoring the coupe’s nimble handling and eager acceleration over stereo options.
So let’s see what makes Subaru’s solo rear-wheel drive model such a draw for some, and consider what make it a pass for others:
Highlights of the BRZ include:
- 228 horsepower 2.4-liter Subaru Boxer engine
- Playful and exciting to drive
- Powerful and responsive engine
- Affordability—even the top Limited trim is priced only $3k higher than the base model.
- Standard manual transmission
Weaknesses include:
- Cramped back seat
- Overly firm ride
- Not the quickest in its class
- Safety assists only available with Limited trim or by opting for an automatic transmission on the base model
2022 Subaru WRX ($30,600 MSRP)
Continuing in Subaru’s performance class, we come to the 2022 Subaru WRX—a compact sports sedan that stays true to its rally racing heritage. The fully redesigned 2022 WRX comes equipped with a punchy flat-four engine and standard all-wheel drive, plus available adaptive suspension for even tighter handling. Car and Driver and Edmunds rate the WRX 8/10 and 7.6/10, respectively.
Rally-inspired sport compacts are going the way of the dinosaur, so seeing a fully redesigned new generation of the WRX is a much-needed shot in the arm for those worried about discontinuation. Plus, while the new WRX still hangs on to its rough-around-the-edges rally roots, it adds a more contemporary interior to satisfy more discerning tastes. Buyers should also prepare for a rumored all-electric WRX STI in the future.
In the meantime, let’s see what makes the Subaru WRX a favorite among compact sport car fans.
Highlights of the WRX include:
- 271-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine
- Surprisingly refined, quiet ride
- Brisk acceleration
- Standard manual transmission with optional automatic CVT
Weaknesses include:
- Driver assists only available with CVT option
- Fully loaded GT trim adds over $12k to the base MSRP
- Unimpressive fuel economy
2022 Subaru compact and subcompact SUV models
Adding to the lineup of compact cars, Subaru offers a few compact crossovers and SUVs as well. Let’s give them a look.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek ($24,320 MSRP)
A rugged image and outdoorsy styling make this a popular choice for those who enjoy looking like they love the outdoors. Unfortunately, the Crosstrek—
Subaru’s smallest SUV
—isn’t going to get you nearly as far off the beaten path as its more capable sibling, the Outback.That said, buyers like the Crosstrek’s affordable price tag coupled with standard options, like all-wheel drive, an impressive list of standard driver assists, and a surprisingly comfortable ride for an off-road-ready vehicle. Car and Driver rates the Crosstrek 8/10, citing its available plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option as a key feature, while Edmunds rates it 7.9/10, despite its painfully slow acceleration.
Let’s see what else the Crosstrek has to offer, as well as a few things that may sway buyers in another direction:
Highlights of the Crosstrek include:
- Car-like ride and handling
- Averageoff-road capability
- Spacious seating arrangement
- 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
- IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2022
Weaknesses include:
- Basic interior
- Slow acceleration
- Looks more off-road-ready than it actually is
- Less cargo capacity than other small SUVs in its class
2022 Subaru Outback ($28,820 MSRP)
The Subaru Outback is Subaru’s most popular SUV-wagon crossover, and with a solid 9/10 rating, a 2022 Editor’s Choice pick for Car and Driver. As usual, Edmunds is somewhat less impressed with the Outback, rating it just 7.6/10, but they, too, recognize the Outback’s outdoorsy looks are actually functional, not just Insta-worthy.
Surprisingly, for Subaru’s second-smallest SUV, the Outback’s roomy interior is both passenger- and cargo-friendly, but the base engine offers little in the way of driving excitement, buyers are likely more interested in the Outback’s go-anywhere capabilities than its potential as a race car. While even the base model is ready to tackle most average trails, the top-tier Wilderness model jacks up the suspension for
9.5 inches of ground clearance
, skid plates, and a drive mode selector with Snow and Mud modes.Let’s see what else contributes to the Outback’s status as Subaru’s most popular car, and we’ll also consider a few downsides.
Highlights of the Outback include:
- Carlike ride
- Raised suspension
- Legitimate off-road capabilities
- 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022
Weaknesses include:
- Painfully sluggish base engine
- Confusing infotainment system
- Lower than average fuel economy
2022 Subaru Forester ($27,070 MSRP)
Rounding out our list of compact Subaru options is the 2022 Subaru Forester—another of Subaru’s most popular compact crossovers. Like the Outback, the Forester offers impressive ground clearance for
off-roading adventures
, but, also like the Outback, engine performance offers a lot of room for improvement. Car and Driver gives the Forester an 8/10 while Edmunds offers 7.9/10.Like most of Subaru’s lineup, the Forester features all-wheel drive as a standard option across all trims, as well as a full suite of standard driver assists, but there’s still a lot more that makes this a popular model—as well as a few things that buyers may want to avoid.
Highlights of the Forester include:
- Standard all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist
- Impressive off-road capability
- 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022
Weaknesses include:
- Base model not very well equipped
- Weak engine
- Unimpressive tow rating
What is Subaru’s smallest car?
The Subaru Impreza may be Subaru’s smallest car, but it’s not the smallest Subaru overall. If you’re looking to get truly tiny, you need to look at the Subaru BRZ sport coupe.
- Subaru Impreza wheelbase: 105.1 inches
- Subaru BRZ wheelbase: 101.4 inches
- Subaru Impreza passenger volume: 97–100 cubic feet
- Subaru BRZ passenger volume: 78 cubic feet
What is Subaru’s cheapest car?
It should come as no surprise that in addition to being Subaru’s smallest regular car, the Impreza is also Subaru’s least expensive car.
How to save on Subaru insurance
Buyers often look to smaller cars as a way to save on upfront costs, and as a way to save on fuel-ups, since smaller cars tend to use less gas. But, if you’re really looking for some impressive savings that don’t require skimping of any kind, you should look for a new
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