Last updated August 4, 2026
The Subaru Impreza lineup starts with the 2.0i, 2.5i, and base models, which focus on standard AWD and everyday value. Premium and Outback Sport add comfort and cold-weather usefulness. Sport and RS bring a more athletic look and feel, with RS adding stronger non-turbo power. Limited versions are the comfort-focused top of the regular Impreza range, known for leather and added safety and lighting equipment. The older performance branch stands apart. The 2.5GT blends turbo power with automatic comfort, WRX emphasizes turbocharged performance with everyday practicality, and WRX STI adds more serious brakes, drivetrain hardware, and chassis tuning.
The Base Model trim level — 2.0i, 2.5i, and base — is the straightforward Impreza, built around standard AWD and practical everyday equipment without the style or comfort extras of higher trims.
Best for: Shoppers who want the core Impreza experience and year-round traction in a simple package.
Highlights
The Practical Upgrade trim level — 2.0i Premium, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Premium Sport, Outback Sport, and Premium — is the everyday comfort step, with an emphasis on cold-weather usefulness.
Best for: Daily drivers who value heated comfort features and a better-equipped cabin more than sporty styling.
Highlights
Adds cold-weather comfort, alloy wheels, and upgraded cabin tech over the Base Model; Outback Sport also adds extra ground clearance and a more rugged look.
47 in stock
The Sport Styling trim level — 2.0i Sport, 2.0i Sport Premium, 2.5i Sport, RS, and Sport — is the athletic branch, though the older 2.5i Sport name mainly identifies the practical hatchback.
Best for: Drivers who want hatchback usefulness and standard AWD with a sharper look or feel, without moving into the older turbo models.
Highlights
Adds more athletic styling than the Practical Upgrade; 2.0i Sport and RS bring firmer suspension tuning, while RS also adds stronger power.
55 in stock
The Premium Comfort trim level — 2.0i Limited, 2.0i Sport Limited, and Limited — is the upscale regular-Impreza branch, centered on leather, climate comfort, and added lighting and safety.
Best for: Shoppers who want a compact AWD Subaru with a more polished cabin rather than a stronger performance focus.
Highlights
Adds leather-trimmed comfort, upgraded lighting, and broader safety equipment over the Sport Styling level, while placing less emphasis on athletic presentation.
24 in stock
The Performance trim level covers 2.5GT, 2.5GT Sport, WRX, WRX Limited, WRX Limited Sport, WRX Premium, WRX Premium Sport, and WRX Sport; it is the turbocharged road-performance branch that remains usable as a sedan or hatchback.
Best for: Drivers who want strong turbocharged acceleration and all-weather grip without giving up rear seats or useful cargo space.
Highlights
Moves beyond the comfort-focused Limited formula with turbocharged power and firmer suspension; 2.5GT versions use an automatic, while WRX versions emphasize a manual transmission.
3 in stock
The High Performance trim level — WRX STI, WRX STI Limited, WRX STI Special Edition Sport, and WRX STI Sport — is the hardest-edged Impreza branch, built around dedicated braking, drivetrain, and suspension hardware.
Best for: Enthusiasts who prioritize sharp response, strong braking, and serious performance hardware over a softer everyday feel.
Highlights
Adds more power, stronger Brembo brakes, limited-slip differentials, and STI-specific chassis tuning over the regular WRX formula.
0 in stock| Feature | Base Model | Performance | Sport Styling | Premium Comfort | High Performance | Practical Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | 2.0i, 2.5i, base87 in stock | 2.5GT, 2.5GT Sport, WRX, WRX Limited, WRX Limited Sport, WRX Premium, WRX Premium Sport, WRX Sport3 in stock | 2.0i Sport, 2.0i Sport Premium, 2.5i Sport, RS, Sport55 in stock | 2.0i Limited, 2.0i Sport Limited, Limited24 in stock | WRX STI, WRX STI Limited, WRX STI Special Edition Sport, WRX STI Sport0 in stock | 2.0i Premium, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Premium Sport, Outback Sport, Premium47 in stock |
| Lineup role | Straightforward entry point | Turbo road performance | Athletic regular Impreza | Upscale regular Impreza | STI performance hardware | Comfort and winter upgrade |
| Engine character | Non-turbo flat-four | Turbocharged flat-four | Recent: 2.0L with 152 hp or 2.5L with 182 hp | Non-turbo flat-four | Higher-output STI turbo flat-four | Non-turbo flat-four |
| Chassis focus | Everyday road setup | Sport-tuned suspension | Sport tuning on 2.0i Sport and RS | Comfort-focused | STI-tuned suspension | Outback Sport has raised suspension |
| Cold-weather equipment | Not the main focus | Included on WRX Premium versions | Included on some versions; standard on RS | Included on Sport Limited | Not the main focus | Heated seats and mirrors; wiper de-icer |
| Leather-trimmed seating | Not a defining feature | WRX Limited versions | Not a defining feature | Signature equipment | STI Limited; STI Sport uses leather and Alcantara | Not a defining feature |
| Performance hardware | Standard AWD | Turbo power and sport suspension | Standard AWD; some sport suspension tuning | Standard AWD | Brembo brakes and limited-slip differentials | Standard AWD |
| Safety and lighting highlights | Newer models: EyeSight and LED headlights | HID headlights on WRX Limited | Recent models: EyeSight; RS adds blind-spot alerts | Blind-spot alerts, reverse auto braking, LED headlights | HID headlights on WRX STI | Later models: EyeSight |
On sixth-generation cars, the RS is the stronger and better-equipped trim. It replaces the Sport’s 152-horsepower 2.0-liter engine with a 2.5-liter engine, then adds heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, wireless phone charging, rear USB ports, and RS-specific cabin trim.
The RS is the performance-leaning top trim in the sixth-generation Impreza range. It combines the hatchback body and standard all-wheel drive with a stronger 2.5-liter engine, sport-tuned suspension, extra safety equipment, and more cold-weather comfort than the Sport.
On 2024–2025 cars, Sport adds the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless start, paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and sportier trim. Both use the same 152-horsepower 2.0-liter engine.
On 2017–2023 cars, Premium is mainly a comfort and winter-use upgrade. It typically adds heated front seats, heated mirrors, a windshield-wiper de-icer, alloy wheels, upgraded infotainment, and the automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
On fifth-generation cars, Premium emphasizes comfort and cold-weather equipment. Sport keeps the same 152-horsepower engine but adds firmer suspension tuning, larger wheels, sportier cabin trim, keyless start, and a larger touchscreen. Sport changes the feel and appearance more than the speed.
On 2017–2023 Imprezas, Sport is the athletic-looking choice, with firmer suspension tuning and sport-themed trim. Limited focuses on comfort and safety, typically adding leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, upgraded headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking.
Look for a 2012–2023 Limited if you want a more comfortable Impreza rather than a sportier one. Depending on the year, it brings leather upholstery, automatic climate control, upgraded lighting, a power driver’s seat, and added driver-assistance features.
For many 2017–2023 cars, Premium is the practical winter-focused pick because it includes heated seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield-wiper de-icer. On newer sixth-generation cars, the RS includes those cold-weather features along with the stronger engine.
On sixth-generation cars, Sport and RS use the 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024–2025 Base instead has two 7-inch screens and wired phone integration. The Base trim was dropped for 2026.
Coverage depends on the era. EyeSight became standard on automatic-transmission Imprezas for 2020, while every trim in the sixth-generation lineup has it. On an older used car, check the exact year, transmission, and equipment rather than relying only on the trim name.
No. The Outback Sport is an older ruggedized Impreza hatchback, not the larger Outback model. It adds raised suspension, larger wheels, heated cold-weather equipment, and tougher-looking exterior pieces to the compact Impreza body.
On some older listings, 2.5i Sport refers to the regular 2.5-liter five-door Impreza rather than a modern sport-tuned trim. Its main distinction is the hatchback body and folding cargo area, so verify the equipment instead of judging it by the word Sport.
Through 2014, WRX was the turbocharged performance branch of the Impreza family. It used a much stronger engine, firmer suspension, and performance-focused hardware. From the 2015 redesign onward, WRX became a standalone model rather than an Impreza trim.
On older Impreza-based WRX models, both trims keep the same 265-horsepower turbo engine and sport suspension. Premium adds heated cold-weather equipment, fog lights, and a moonroof. Limited goes further with leather upholstery and upgraded HID headlights.
Choose WRX for strong turbo performance with fewer hard-edged parts. Choose STI if you specifically want the 305-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual, stronger Brembo brakes, limited-slip differentials, and more aggressive suspension. The STI is the more demanding enthusiast choice.