When individuals begin looking for a dependable compact automotive, they often find yourself trying on the similar names again and again. The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 are likely to dominate the dialog, whereas Subaru quietly will get ignored within the background.
That’s a mistake, particularly with how costly some new Civics have turn out to be recently. Subaru nonetheless builds vehicles with a robust fame for reliability and sturdiness, however with out fairly the identical value premium connected.
One mannequin particularly delivers numerous what patrons already like in regards to the Civic, whereas including normal all-wheel drive and a decrease used price ticket into the combo.
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Why patrons nonetheless flock to the Honda Civic
Reliability, effectivity, and robust worth hold it on the prime of the compact automotive market
Credit score: Honda
The Honda Civic has been round since 1972, which is fairly wild when you consider it. Again then it made simply 36 horsepower, but by some means it grew into certainly one of Honda’s greatest success tales with almost 30 million gross sales worldwide.
Today, the Civic nonetheless sits close to the highest of the compact automotive section due to its mixture of reliability, effectivity, and on a regular basis usability. Right here’s a fast take a look at what the present sedan brings to the desk:
Beginning MSRP
$24,695
Engine
Naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder
Energy
150 to 200 hp
Gasoline financial system
As much as 31 mpg metropolis /40 mpg freeway
Physique type
Sedan or hatchback
Transmission
CVT or 6-speed guide
Why the Civic has such a robust fame
Credit score: Honda
The Civic’s fame isn’t simply hype or model loyalty—the numbers again it up too. RepairPal offers it a 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating, rating it close to the highest of the compact automotive section, whereas common yearly restore prices sit at a fairly cheap $368.
The newer fashions proceed that pattern as properly. In line with J.D. Energy, the 2025 Civic scored 85 out of 100 total, which helps clarify why so many patrons nonetheless default to it.
Why individuals nonetheless purchase it new
Credit score: Honda
The numbers clarify the loyalty, but it surely’s the day-to-day possession that actually seals it. Kelley Blue E-book even ranks the Civic as the highest compact sedan you should buy proper now, which says loads about how well-rounded it’s.
It’s additionally severely environment friendly, particularly with the hybrid model, which delivers a few of the finest gas financial system figures you’ll discover in a contemporary automotive. On prime of that, each trim comes with Honda Sensing as normal, so that you get issues like adaptive cruise management and lane-keep help with out paying further.
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The true price of shopping for new proper now
Costs and rates of interest are making even sensible vehicles really feel costly
Credit score: Hyundai
As most patrons already know, the common value of a brand new automotive within the U.S. is sitting across the $50,000 mark, and there’s not a lot signal of it dropping anytime quickly. That strain isn’t simply restricted to luxurious fashions both—it’s creeping into just about each section.
The month-to-month hit is simply as noticeable, with common funds round $756, and in some instances climbing properly previous $1,000 relying on the deal and financing.
How new automotive costs are pushing out on a regular basis patrons
Credit score: Honda
Everybody tends to concentrate on the month-to-month fee, however the actual sting is usually the rate of interest. Discovering something near a 2 p.c APR is uncommon nowadays, with 2025 averages sitting wherever from about 9 p.c to 14 p.c relying on credit score.
There are nonetheless the occasional zero p.c offers floating round, however they’re removed from the norm. As Cox Automotive analyst Erin Keating places it, the market is more and more being pushed by wealthier patrons who can really entry higher financing and hold the upper finish of the business shifting.
What you really get for a Civic’s price ticket
Credit score: Honda
Whereas the remainder of Honda’s lineup has crept up in value a bit, the Civic nonetheless lands in a reasonably cheap spot and offers patrons strong worth for the cash. Even the bottom LX isn’t stripped naked, both.
You continue to get LED headlights, automated local weather management, a rearview digicam, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay inbuilt.
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The used Subaru most customers hold overlooking
Low cost, succesful, and quietly higher worth than you’d anticipate
Whereas the Civic and Corolla have a tendency to take in a lot of the consideration within the compact automotive house due to their fame for worth, options, and reliability, the Impreza quietly hangs again within the background. It’s the one waving at patrons who’re too busy trying elsewhere.
The 2023 Subaru Impreza nonetheless delivers precisely what this section is about, simply with out the highlight. What makes it stand out much more now could be how its pricing strains up with vehicles that really feel a technology or two older.
Commonplace AWD and robust security credentials
Credit score: NetCarShow.com
Most vehicles on this section would think about all-wheel drive a premium further, and a few—just like the Civic—don’t even provide it. The Impreza simply offers it to you as normal, which is fairly uncommon at this value level.
It additionally finally ends up undercutting vehicles you wouldn’t usually evaluate it to, even one thing like a Mazda Miata in some instances. You may not want AWD on a regular basis, however having it baked in undoubtedly provides peace of thoughts.
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Flat 4 Fuel
Base Trim Transmission
5-Pace Handbook
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
152 hp
Base Trim Torque
145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Gasoline Financial system
24/31 MPG
Make
Subaru
Mannequin
Impreza Hatchback
Phase
Compact Hatchback
The place the Impreza quietly stacks up in opposition to the Civic
The Impreza doesn’t precisely convey the identical flash or attention-grabbing design because the Civic—and even one thing just like the Kia K4, which leans extra into that style-first vibe. However by way of overlaying the fundamentals, it nonetheless does the job simply as properly.
You get a selection of sedan or hatchback, a roomy cabin, and a cushty trip that’s straightforward to reside with daily, in accordance with Client Experiences. Subaru’s EyeSight security tech additionally comes normal, including one other layer of reassurance.
The Civic nonetheless wins on energy and inside polish, however the Impreza is aimed extra at individuals who simply need one thing strong, secure, and easy for getting round with out paying further for the extras.
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Must you really swap to the Impreza?
A less complicated, cheaper AWD various to the Civic that also covers the necessities
Credit score: NetCarShow.com
The Impreza would possibly sound prefer it’s making an attempt a bit too laborious with the title, but it surely’s not likely a automotive for everybody—and that’s type of the purpose. Whereas most individuals are laser-focused on the Civic, the Impreza quietly delivers a really related day-to-day expertise with out drawing a lot consideration.
The large standout remains to be its normal all-wheel drive, which makes it one of many least expensive methods to get AWD within the US proper now. It’s price noting Subaru has trimmed again a few of its entry-level pricing lately, but it surely nonetheless undercuts numerous the plain rivals for what you’re getting.
Who can purchase it, and who’s higher off with a Civic
Credit score: NetCarShow.com
On the finish of the day, each vehicles simply go well with various kinds of patrons. The Civic leans extra polished, with sharper styling and a extra refined inside that makes on a regular basis driving really feel a bit extra premium.
It additionally makes extra sense in milder climates, whereas the Impreza’s normal AWD offers it an edge should you’re coping with more durable climate or desire a bit extra confidence off the overwhelmed path. It’s additionally barely smaller, which may make metropolis driving and parking simpler.
The trade-off is a little bit of cargo house—you lose a couple of cubic toes in comparison with the Civic hatch—however for some patrons, that’s a good change for the added practicality and AWD grip.
You’ll be able to decide one up for as little as $17,500
Credit score: NetCarShow.com
So how a lot does a 2023 Impreza really price? In line with Kelley Blue E-book’s Truthful Buy Pricing, you’re roughly $17,500 to $21,800 relying on mileage, situation, and spec.
For comparability, a 2023 Honda Civic usually begins round $21,500, which suggests the Subaru typically is available in noticeably cheaper on the used market. In different phrases, the Impreza quietly undercuts one of many section’s hottest selections.
