Subaru is taking $2,000 off the price of its compact hatchback. The 2027 Subaru Impreza will start at $24,595 when it reaches retailers in late 2026, Subaru of America said Sept. 24, compared with $26,595 for the least expensive 2026 model, the Impreza Sport. Subaru says that makes the Impreza the most affordable all-wheel-drive compact vehicle on sale in the U.S.
The cheaper car isn't a weaker one. The new base trim gets the 180-horsepower 2.5-liter boxer engine that was exclusive to the Impreza RS for 2026; last year's Sport used a 152-hp 2.0-liter. Both 2027 trims pair the engine with a CVT, paddle shifters with an 8-speed manual mode, Subaru's SI-Drive modes and standard all-wheel drive. The lineup shrinks to two trims, base and RS, and the RS price is unchanged.
2027 vs. 2026 Subaru Impreza pricing
| Trim | Engine | MSRP | Prior model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Impreza (base) | 2.5L, 180 hp | $24,595 | 2026 Sport: $26,595 (2.0L, 152 hp) |
| 2027 Impreza RS | 2.5L, 180 hp | $29,495 | 2026 RS: $29,495 |
| RS Package 33 (Harman Kardon audio, moonroof, power driver's seat) | — | $2,070 | — |
| Destination and delivery | — | $1,245 | $1,195 |
MSRPs exclude destination, which varies in some Northeastern states and is $1,395 in Alaska. Source: Subaru of America.
What the base car includes
The $24,595 Impreza comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, USB-A and USB-C ports, and dual 7.0-inch touchscreens with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EyeSight driver assistance is standard, including pre-collision braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with lane centering and Emergency Stop Assist, along with LED steering-responsive headlights with high-beam assist. Cargo space is 20.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.0 cubic feet folded.
The RS adds 18-inch wheels, an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, heated front seats and mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, Emergency Lane Keep Assist and a five-year trial of Subaru's connected safety services. Those blind-spot and cross-traffic features are not on Subaru's standard-equipment list for the base car. Subaru also says it has upgraded interior materials across the line, including new stitching on the center console and revised door panels.
Why Subaru is cutting the price
The Impreza has been losing buyers. Subaru sold 1,343 in September, down 36.3%, and 12,739 through the first nine months of 2026, down 42.4%. Over the same nine months the brand's total sales slipped 1.5% to 475,878, while the Forester rose 17.6%. Subaru describes the 2027 Impreza as a streamlined lineup focused on affordability. The car is assembled in Gunma, Japan.
The cut runs against the broader market. Kelley Blue Book data published by Cox Automotive put the average transaction price of a compact car at $27,997 in August, up 2.9% from a year earlier, while the average for all new vehicles reached $50,089. Transaction prices include options and any dealer discounts or markups, so the comparison with a base MSRP is rough, but a $24,595 starting price leaves the Impreza well under that compact-car average.
With destination, the 2027 base Impreza lists for $25,840, versus $27,790 for a 2026 Sport. Shoppers weighing a leftover 2026 model should compare its negotiated price with that figure, keeping in mind that the 2027 car comes with the larger engine.