2022 Subaru Impreza Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

There will always be a market for sporty little cars. They may not always be the most practical, and they may not make the best family cars, but they are supposed to be fun to drive. Over the years, different vehicles have aimed for this goal and achieved different levels of success.

One compact car that is widely considered to be athletic and engaging is the Subaru Impreza. It is available as both a sedan and a hatchback, which is a large part of the appeal for some buyers. The Impreza is currently in its fifth generation, which debuted in 2017. Not very many changes were made for the 2022 model year, and many people wonder if next year the vehicle will see a complete redesign. The longevity of the Impreza is largely due to the standard features and relatively affordable price.

There are four different trim levels for the 2022 Subaru Impreza. Starting this year, the top Limited trim can only be had as a hatchback. All other models are available in both body styles. The entry-level Impreza has several impressive standard features, while the options above it aim to add more convenience and versatility.

At first glance, it can be difficult to tell the differences between the different trim levels. The following guide can help make it clearer so that buyers can decide which 2022 Impreza is right for them.

Compare the Base vs Premium Trims. What is the difference?

Before deciding between trim levels, drivers will want to consider which of the available body styles of the Impreza will work better for their daily needs. Buyers should know that the hatchback model costs more than its sedan counterpart. For the base model, the price difference is $500. The same is true for the Premium model.

As one would expect, even the entry-level model of the Impreza is equipped with all-wheel drive. A 2.0L direct injection comes standard for all versions of the Impreza. It produces 152-horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, which many critics of the vehicle feel is not enough. The base model comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A CVT is also available.

Choosing the CVT is going to be the more fuel-efficient option. With the five-speed, the Impreza is estimated to get 23mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway for sedan models. The hatchback does a bit better, going up to 24mpg in the city. Both body styles are able to offer up to 28mpg in the city and 36mpg on the highway when the Impreza has the CVT.

The entry-level Impreza sits on 16-inch steel wheels and has no available wheel upgrades. Multi-reflector halogen headlights, black folding side mirrors, and body-color door handles are the standard exterior features for this affordable model. Moving inside, the Impreza has manually-adjustable front seats along with cloth upholstery and single-zone manually-adjustable climate control.

In the sedan version of the Impreza, drivers get 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space. If buyers opt for the hatchback, there are a very respectable 20.8 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. With the rear seatbacks lowered, the hatchback has an impressive 55.3 cubic feet for various cargo. This is an excellent number, and it even beats a few of the smaller SUVs currently on the market.

There are a fair number of convenience features for the base Impreza. They include power windows, power side mirrors, and electronic cruise control. A single USB port is included, as well as a three-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls. The glove box locks, and hatchback models include two grocery bag hooks and four tie-down hooks to help keep things organized.

A four-speaker sound system and 6.5-inch touchscreen make up the entertainment features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is included for quick and easy smartphone connection. Due to the manual transmission, there are no standard driver aids included for the base Impreza.

If buyers opt to swap out the manual for the CVT, however, then the base Impreza gains the EyeSight bundle. It is a collection that includes lane departure warning, sway warning, lane keep assist, pre-collision throttle management, and a pre-collision braking system. A tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are included on all models of the Impreza, regardless of the transmission.

The Premium model of the Impreza comes standard with a CVT. It is slightly different than the one available for the base model because it includes a seven-speed manual mode that drivers can enjoy. Despite the difference, it is still estimated to get drivers 28mpg city and 36mpg highway.

Choosing the Premium model means getting Subaru Intelligent Drive. It gives the vehicle two different drive modes to choose from. Switching between the modes makes changes to the engine control unit as well as the CVT shift characteristics.

Looking underneath the Impreza Premium, buyers find that the wheels are still 16-inches but have been upgraded to aluminum-alloy. Fog lights are standard for this model, which also opts for body-colored side mirrors rather than black ones. The all-weather package, which is available on the base trim, is standard for the Premium. It bundles heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer to help drivers out on colder mornings.

A power moonroof is available for both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Impreza Premium. If buyers opt for the hatchback, a rear spoiler is included. Heated front seats, which are also a part of that all-weather package, become standard for this trim level as well.

For the Premium model, the Impreza gets automatic on and off headlights. An extra USB port is also added, bringing the total up to two. Drivers can also enjoy transmission paddle shifters for a more involved experience at the wheel. In the very back, the Impreza Premium hatchback has a retractable cargo area cover that can be easily removed if desired.

Both HD and satellite radio are added to this trim. Rather than having only four speakers, the Premium has six. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also included for added connectivity while out on the road. EyeSight technology is standard for the Premium, and blind-spot monitoring along with rear cross-traffic alert are available features.

Compare the Premium vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

The Sport model is the highest trim level for the sedan in 2022. There is only a $400 difference between the sedan and hatchback variations. Interestingly, this is the only trim where the sedan is the more expensive of the two.

Like the base model, both the hatchback and sedan versions of the Sport come with a five-speed manual transmission standard. It is also available with the upgraded version of the CVT. The Sport with the manual gets the worst fuel economy in the lineup, with estimates coming in at 22mpg city and 30mpg highway. With the CVT, the Sport gets 27mpg city and 35mpg highway.

Active torque vectoring is standard on this trim level. It is the only Impreza model that even offers it. This feature improves the handling of the vehicle by applying brake power to the inside front wheel when cornering.

Setting the Sport trim apart from the rest of the lineup are the standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The body-colored side mirrors have integrated turn signals, and the body-color side rocker spoilers help the Sport trim live up to its name. The sedan model gets a spoiler on the trunk as well as a single exhaust port with a stainless steel tip. For some reason, the Sport trim loses the fog lights found on the Premium model.

Both the sedan and hatchback models of the Impreza Sport have leather-wrapped steering wheels and shifter knobs. They also have sport upholstery cloth that pops with red contrast stitching. When drivers look down, they find aluminum-alloy pedal covers. The instrumentation for the Impreza gets improved in the Sport trim as well. The LCD display jumps up to 4.2-inches rather than 2.4-inches, and the multifunction display gets color.

Push-button start and keyless entry are equipped on all Impreza Sport models. There are dual USB charging ports in the backseat of both sedan and hatchback versions as well. Up in the front, the touchscreen goes up to 8-inches. While the six-speaker sound system remains standard, this is the first model to offer the eight-speaker premium Harman Kardon model as well.

Compare the Sport vs Limited Trims. What is the difference?

The 2022 Impreza Limited can only be had as a hatchback. It is also only available with the CVT. Rather than 18-inch wheels, the Limited model goes down with 17-inch ones with a dark gray finish. The fog lights come back when drivers choose this top trim. Giving the exterior of the Limited a more sophisticated look are silver-finish roof rails and chrome door handles.

Once inside, buyers will find leather-trimmed upholstery along with a standard power-adjustable driver's seat. Moving into the back, there is a folding rear seat armrest that gives the Impreza two extra cupholders. Automatic climate control also makes its way to the standard feature list for the Limited model. On the tech front, this top trim is the only one that offers an integrated navigation system for the infotainment system. The upgraded audio system remains optional, as well as the moonroof.

There are a few significant driver assistance feature upgrades found on the Limited. It gets blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on its standard equipment list, along with reverse automatic emergency braking. High beam assist, which automatically switches the headlights between high and low, is also standard for the Impreza Limited.

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Subaru Impreza is an affordable option for many drivers who are looking for a fun compact car. Even the top Limited trim is reasonably priced when compared to competitors. That said, very few drivers will need to go all the way to the top of the trim ladder in order to be satisfied.

Choosing the 2022 Impreza Premium will mean getting the EyeSight suite of driver aids standard. It also adds many nice touches, such as the heated front seats and foglights, along with the selectable drive modes. All of this is achieved without adding too much to the price tag.

The Sport trim does have a few nice performance upgrades, but they do not make enough of a difference in the daily driving experience to justify the additional cost. As for the Limited trim, its extra features can mostly be classified as bells and whistles. The exception would be the standard blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking, which may actually make this the right choice for small families looking at the Impreza as their next ride.

For the majority of drivers, the 2022 Subaru Impreza Premium will strike the perfect balance between features and price.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

• 2021 Subaru Impreza Trime Levels