With buyers rushing headlong into crossover SUVs of all sizes, the 2017 Subaru Impreza remains the sole passenger car offered with standard all-wheel drive.
The newly redesigned Impreza has a touch of Mazda 3 in the styling of its hatchback version, and the littlest Mazda is a strong competitor in general, with with a lot of available technology and some of the best driving dynamics available.
Its rear-seat room, however, is inadequate for adults.
The Hyundai Elantra has also been redesigned this year, and it remains a strong value while adding refinement.
The Kia Forte is lower-priced, and offers more features for the money, though like the rest, it doesn't offer AWD.
The VW Jetta sedan (now getting on in years) and the VW Golf hatchback both have refined cabins, but their high-efficiency TDI diesel versions are off the market until further notice, denying them a distinctive selling point.
Higher-volume competitors to the Impreza include the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze (new this year), Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla.
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 2017 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Kia ForteBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2017 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Volkswagen JettaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2017 Subaru Impreza blends sensible road manners with all-wheel drive and a digestible price. It's right in line with compact competitors, all of which offer something different in the segment. |
We miss the brash, buzzy looks, for sure—but the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is now one of the most refined economy cars on the road. |
The Kia Forte looks more handsome and finely detailed for 2017, as well as even better-equipped for the money, although its tight packaging and lackluster safety scores will likely remain concerns. |
The 2017 Mazda 3 is near the top of our favorite compact cars on sale today. Its good performance, good fuel economy, and good value make for a very good car. |
There's a Golf for nearly every taste and need—Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen— and don't forget about the EV eGolf, which is very balanced and fun to drive. |
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is a decent compact car—one in a crowded field, without a "killer app." |
| MSRP From | |||||
| N/A | $17,150 | $16,600 | $17,845 | $19,895 | $17,895 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | |||||
| N/A | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| N/A | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| N/A | SE 2.0L Manual (Ulsan) | LX Automatic | Sport Manual | 1.8T 4-Door S Manual | 1.4T S Manual |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| N/A | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| N/A | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| N/A | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 Subaru Impreza vs. 2017 Hyundai Elantra | 2017 Subaru Impreza vs. 2017 Kia Forte | 2017 Subaru Impreza vs. 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 | 2017 Subaru Impreza vs. 2017 Volkswagen Golf | 2017 Subaru Impreza vs. 2017 Volkswagen Jetta | |
