2023 Subaru Impreza — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2023 Subaru Impreza

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $23,372–$30,006
Fuel Economy 31 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,694/yr
The 2023 Subaru Impreza scores 7.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $1,694/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2023 Subaru Impreza

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$23,372–$30,006

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

About the 2023 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.1/10 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 6.5/10 — 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 $23,372–$30,006, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Impreza sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2023 Subaru Impreza will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology and performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.

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 2023 Subaru Impreza ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $23,372 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 16%.

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

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2023 Subaru Impreza

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$8,470 ($1,694/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?

Smart-money pick: the 2020 Subaru Impreza scores 7.4/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.5 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

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 (this review) 7.5/10$23,372
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 7.0/10$17,589 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2023 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

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2023 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
25/04/2023 · 23V292000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Impreza vehicles. The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal. The vehicle may also allow drivers to start and shift…
Power train / Driveline / Driveshaft
21/09/2023 · 23V647000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.

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

Own a 2023 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 — 2023 Subaru Impreza

Is the 2023 Subaru Impreza reliable?

We rate the 2023 Subaru Impreza's reliability 8.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its 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 2023 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 2023 Subaru Impreza worth buying?

It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2023 Subaru Impreza cost?

The 2023 Subaru Impreza starts at $23,372 and ranges up to $30,006 across trims (MSRP when new). At 31 MPG, expect roughly $1,694/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 2023 Subaru Impreza have?

The documented issues for the 2023 Subaru Impreza are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Exterior lighting, Power train (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 →

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More Subaru Reviews

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