The 2024 Subaru Impreza Brings Back the RS Trim, Ditches Sedan

The 2024 Subaru Impreza was unveiled today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. It brings a ton of new technology to the range, a new design and interior, and a throwback RS model aimed at enthusiasts. Perhaps more notably, it ditches the sedan and manual transmission altogether.

The hatch-only model will now be offered with the standard 2.0-liter flat-four, making 152 hp and 145 lb-ft, and an optional 2.5-liter flat-four that makes 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. That engine—which is also available in the Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, and Outback—comes exclusively on the Impreza RS, a trim level Subaru fans will recognize from the iconic Impreza 2.5RS of the Nineties. Unlike that old model, however, the new enthusiast-oriented trim comes exclusively with a continuously variable transmission. We'd prefer the 2.4-liter from the BR-Z mated to a manual, but at least self-shifting enthusiasts can still get a WRX with a stick.

But RS buyers also get unique badging, dark gray 18-inch alloys wheels, black exterior trim, upgraded LEDs, faux carbon interior bits, and unique black-and-red seats. That interior is also new for the 2024 model year, now offering Subaru's vertical 11.6-inch Starlink (no, not the SpaceX one) infotainment system. Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assistance tech is also standard, as is all-wheel drive, of course. The AWD system also gets active torque vectoring, which should help in slippery conditions.