The compact car segment remains fiercely competitive, with the 2023 Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla fighting for the top spot. Both vehicles boast impressive reputations for reliability, performance, and safety, making it challenging for consumers to determine the ideal choice.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will dive deep into the respective strengths and weaknesses of the 2023 Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla, helping you make an informed decision based on your unique requirements and preferences.
Exterior Design:
The Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla showcase distinct design languages that speak to their respective brand identities. The Impreza features Subaru’s signature design cues, such as the hexagonal grille, hawk-eye headlights, and sleek, flowing lines. Meanwhile, the Corolla sports Toyota’s trademark aggressive front fascia, angular lines, and a bold, dynamic stance.
In the case of the Impreza, the exterior design balances athleticism with elegance. The car offers a sporty yet sophisticated appeal, which has become a staple of Subaru’s design language. On the other hand, the Corolla’s exterior embodies a more aggressive and bold aesthetic, emphasizing Toyota’s commitment to creating an engaging driving experience.
Interior Design:
Inside the cabin, both the Impreza and Corolla offer comfortable and well-appointed interiors. The Impreza boasts soft-touch materials and high-quality craftsmanship, delivering a premium feel. The infotainment system is user-friendly, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing drivers to seamlessly connect their smartphones.
The Corolla’s interior, meanwhile, focuses on offering a clean and modern design. The dashboard is uncluttered, with an intuitive infotainment system that also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In both vehicles, attention to detail and ergonomic design are evident, making for an enjoyable in-cabin experience.
Seating:
The Subaru Impreza offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers, with ample head and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The seats are supportive and well-bolstered, ensuring a comfortable ride even on longer trips. The Toyota Corolla also offers seating for five, but passengers in the rear might find the legroom to be a bit more limited in comparison to the Impreza.
Storage:
Both the 2023 Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla offer practical storage solutions for their respective sizes. The Impreza provides a total of 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the sedan version and 55.3 cubic feet in the hatchback when the rear seats are folded down. The Corolla sedan offers 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provides 17.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Performance:
Under the hood, the 2023 Subaru Impreza comes equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Boxer engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Impreza comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, ensuring optimal traction in various driving conditions.
The Toyota Corolla offers two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Corolla is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. However, unlike the Impreza, the Corolla comes standard with front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available.
While both vehicles offer respectable performance, the Impreza’s standard all-wheel drive system and higher torque output give it a slight edge in terms of handling and acceleration, especially in challenging driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency:
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the 2023 Toyota Corolla outshines the Subaru Impreza. The Corolla’s 1.8-liter engine with CVT is rated at 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter engine with CVT gets 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The manual transmission variants deliver slightly lower fuel efficiency.
The Subaru Impreza, on the other hand, achieves 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. With the CVT, the Impreza’s fuel economy improves to 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Although the Impreza’s fuel efficiency is commendable, it falls short of the Corolla’s impressive numbers.
Safety:
Both the 2023 Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla prioritize safety, with each vehicle offering advanced safety features as standard equipment. The Impreza comes equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and pre-collision braking.
The Toyota Corolla features Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Both vehicles have earned high safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making them excellent choices for safety-conscious drivers.
Trim Levels:
The Subaru Impreza is available in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. Each trim builds upon the previous one, adding upgraded features such as heated seats, a larger infotainment display, leather upholstery, and advanced safety features.
The Toyota Corolla comes in six trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and the hybrid LE. Like the Impreza, each trim level adds more features and options, such as a premium audio system, heated front seats, and leather-trimmed seats.
Pricing:
The Subaru Impreza has a starting price of around $19,000 for the base sedan and approximately $20,000 for the base hatchback. The top-of-the-line Limited trim starts at around $26,000.
The Toyota Corolla starts at a similar price point, with the base L trim priced around $20,000. The top-end XSE trim begins at approximately $26,000. The Corolla Hybrid, which offers even greater fuel efficiency, starts at around $24,000.
Key Differences
Drivetrain:
One of the most significant differences between the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla is the drivetrain. The Impreza comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing improved traction and handling in various driving conditions. In contrast, the Corolla features a front-wheel-drive (FWD) system, with no AWD option available. For drivers who regularly encounter challenging weather or road conditions, the Impreza’s AWD system may be an important consideration.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Toyota Corolla outperforms the Subaru Impreza in terms of fuel efficiency. With its two engine options, the Corolla achieves up to 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, while the Impreza delivers up to 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. For drivers looking to maximize fuel economy, the Corolla stands out as the more efficient choice.
Engine Options:
While the Subaru Impreza comes with a single 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Boxer engine, the Toyota Corolla offers two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The availability of two engine choices in the Corolla allows buyers to select the powertrain that best suits their needs and preferences.
Hybrid Option:
The Toyota Corolla provides an additional advantage in the form of a hybrid model. The Corolla Hybrid offers even greater fuel efficiency than the standard Corolla, with an EPA-estimated rating of 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway. The Subaru Impreza does not currently offer a hybrid variant, making the Corolla a better choice for eco-conscious buyers.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Subaru Impreza is available in four trim levels (Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited), while the Toyota Corolla comes in six (L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and Hybrid LE). The greater variety of trim levels in the Corolla allows for more customization and flexibility in terms of features and options.
Cargo Space:
The Subaru Impreza offers more cargo space than the Toyota Corolla, particularly in its hatchback version. With the rear seats folded down, the Impreza hatchback provides 55.3 cubic feet of space, while the Corolla hatchback offers 42 cubic feet. Drivers who prioritize storage and versatility may prefer the Impreza’s larger cargo capacity.
Final Thoughts:
Both the 2023 Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla have a lot to offer, making them excellent options in the compact car segment. The Impreza’s all-wheel drive, sporty performance, and spacious interior make it a strong contender, particularly for drivers who need additional traction and versatility. On the other hand, the Corolla’s superior fuel efficiency, engine options, and availability of a hybrid model give it an edge for those who prioritize eco-friendliness and customizable powertrains.
As you consider your options, it is essential to weigh the unique features and benefits of each vehicle against your personal needs and preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the Impreza and Corolla will come down to which car best aligns with your lifestyle and driving habits.
Features Breakdown:
Subaru Impreza:
- Exterior Design:
- Hexagonal grille
- Hawk-eye headlights
- Sleek, flowing lines
- Interior Design:
- Soft-touch materials
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five
- Ample head and legroom
- Storage:
- 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space (sedan)
- 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space (hatchback with rear seats folded)
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Boxer engine
- 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque
- Five-speed manual or CVT transmission
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 24/31 mpg (manual transmission)
- 28/36 mpg (CVT transmission)
- Safety:
- Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited
- Pricing:
- Starts at around $19,000 (base sedan)
- Starts at around $20,000 (base hatchback)
Toyota Corolla:
- Exterior Design:
- Aggressive front fascia
- Angular lines
- Bold, dynamic stance
- Interior Design:
- Clean and modern design
- Intuitive infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five
- Slightly more limited rear legroom compared to Impreza
- Storage:
- 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space (sedan)
- 17.8/42 cubic feet of cargo space (hatchback with rear seats up/folded)
- Performance:
- 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine options
- 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque (1.8-liter)
- 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque (2.0-liter)
- Six-speed manual or CVT transmission
- Front-wheel drive only
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 30/38 mpg (1.8-liter with CVT)
- 31/40 mpg (2.0-liter with CVT)
- Safety:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and Hybrid LE
- Pricing:
- Starts at around $20,000 (base L trim)
- Starts at around $24,000 (Hybrid LE trim)
