2015 Subaru Impreza — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2015 Subaru Impreza

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $17,589–$23,618
Fuel Economy 23 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $2,283/yr
The 2015 Subaru Impreza scores 7.0/10 at Carivo, ranking #1048 of 1310 sedans, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,283/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2015 Subaru Impreza

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$17,589–$23,618

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Subaru Impreza

With an overall Carivo score of 7.0/10, the 2015 Subaru Impreza earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.7/10, while Performance at 5.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.7/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.6/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 5.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.2/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $17,589–$23,618, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Impreza sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.7/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2015 Subaru Impreza, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2015 Subaru Impreza ranks #1048 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 20% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $17,589 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 36%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2015 Subaru Impreza

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Impreza Year Should You Buy?

Across the Impreza model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.5/10$24,817 Read review →
2025 7.5/10$24,817 Read review →
2024 7.4/10$24,095 Read review →
2023 7.5/10$23,372 Read review →
2022 7.4/10$22,649 Read review →
2021 7.5/10$21,926 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$21,203 Read review →
2019 7.2/10$20,480 Read review →
2018 7.2/10$19,757 Read review →
2017 7.1/10$19,035 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$18,312 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.0/10$17,589

Pros & Cons — 2015 Subaru Impreza

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 Subaru Impreza (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Exterior lighting / Brake lights / Switch
28/02/2019 · 19V149000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the…
Forward collision avoidance / crash imminent braking
12/06/2015 · 15V366000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2015 Subaru Impreza that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2015 Subaru Impreza

Is the 2015 Subaru Impreza reliable?

We rate the 2015 Subaru Impreza's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Impreza have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2015 Subaru Impreza worth buying?

It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #1048 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 20% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2015 Subaru Impreza cost?

The 2015 Subaru Impreza starts at $17,589 and ranges up to $23,618 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Impreza years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Impreza years we've rated are 2015 (7.0/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.5/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2015 Subaru Impreza have?

The documented issues for the 2015 Subaru Impreza are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidance (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Subaru Impreza

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Subaru Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.