2010 Subaru Impreza: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest 2010 change is a revised grille across the Subaru Impreza lineup. Otherwise, this is a light update, with a few new trims rather than major mechanical or safety changes.
About the 2010 Subaru Impreza
3rd generation Impreza (2008-2011), late-cycle year before the 2012 redesign; 2010 adds a couple of new performance variants but is otherwise largely unchanged.
Subaru positions the Impreza as a compact car for drivers who want year-round confidence without giving up practicality. Standard Symmetrical AWD, the low-mounted boxer engine, a choice of sedan or 5-door body style, and a strong safety story are the model’s core selling points. The range stretches from straightforward daily-driver trims to serious turbocharged performance versions, but the common theme is all-weather traction, usable cargo flexibility, and a more planted feel than most front-wheel-drive compact rivals.
The range spans straightforward 170-hp 2.5i sedan and hatchback models with standard all-wheel drive, the raised Outback Sport, and 224-hp automatic 2.5GT models. The manual WRX has 265 hp, while the 305-hp WRX STI has driver-adjustable all-wheel drive and Brembo brakes. The new WRX Limited adds leather, HID headlights, heated seats, and a moonroof, while the new STI Special Edition emphasizes sharper suspension tuning and a simpler cabin.
What changed, by category
2010 Subaru Impreza specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & SportShift | Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 170 hp | 224 hp | 265 hp | 170 hp | 224 hp | 265 hp | 265 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 305 hp | 265 hp | 265 hp | 170 hp | 305 hp |
| Torque | 244 lb-ft | 170 lb-ft | 226 lb-ft | 244 lb-ft | 170 lb-ft | 226 lb-ft | 244 lb-ft | 244 lb-ft | 170 lb-ft | 170 lb-ft | 290 lb-ft | 244 lb-ft | 244 lb-ft | 170 lb-ft | 290 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 11.3 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft | 44.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||||||||||||
| Automatic Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| Hill Start Assist | |||||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||||||||
| HID Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Windshield | |||||||||||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||||||||
| Video Input | |||||||||||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||||||||
| Tilt Wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
The biggest change is a revised front grille across the entire 2010 Impreza lineup. Beyond that styling update and several new trims, the engines, transmissions, safety equipment, and basic structure largely carry over from 2009.
Which Subaru Impreza trims were added for 2010?
Four trims join the lineup for 2010: the 2.5i Premium Sport hatchback, WRX Limited sedan, WRX Limited Sport hatchback, and WRX STI Special Edition Sport hatchback. The two WRX Limited versions combine the 265-hp turbo engine and manual transmission with leather seating, HID headlights, heated front seats, and a moonroof.
Did the 2010 Subaru Impreza get a new engine or all-wheel-drive system?
No, the 2010 Impreza has no major lineup-wide powertrain change. The familiar engines and transmissions carry over, and all-wheel drive remains standard throughout the range.
What is different about the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition?
The 2010 WRX STI Special Edition is a more focused STI with sharper, spec-C-inspired suspension tuning, dark gray 18-inch wheels, and manual air conditioning. It retains the 305-hp turbo engine, six-speed manual transmission, driver-adjustable all-wheel drive, and Brembo brakes.
Is the 2010 Subaru Impreza much different from the 2009 model?
No, the 2010 Impreza is not substantially different from the 2009 model. The main reasons to favor it are the revised grille and its newly added trims, especially the WRX Limited and WRX STI Special Edition; the core mechanical package is largely the same.