If you’re looking for a quality hatchback, there’s much to like about the 2020 Subaru Impreza, according to MotorTrend. It offers great value, solid fuel efficiency, and great safety ratings. Still in its fifth generation, the Impreza got a minor update in 2020. 

But it has one thing that sets it apart from other hatchbacks that you might be interested in. What is that one thing?

Standing out in its segment

The 2020 Subaru Impreza hatchback has one quality that sets it apart from its competition: standard all-wheel drive. In this segment, standard all-wheel drive is incredibly rare. And the enhanced traction it offers is a real advantage to those who live in wet or snowy areas. 

Using four wheels as opposed to two, AWD offers better road grip, less slippage, and better acceleration when traction is low. It gives the hatchback a feeling of great stability and prevents fishtailing and other slips while driving.

The ability of an AWD system to send power to all four tires lowers the chances that any of the individual tires will spin when accelerating in straight lines or through corners. Better acceleration from a resting state burns less rubber and allows the driver to confidently accelerate in turns without worrying about skidding or spinning out.

Standard all-wheel drive

The 2020 Subaru Impreza is comfortable, spacious, and has an impressive list of advanced driver-assist features. The addition of standard all-wheel drive is a generous move on Subaru’s part. For those who regularly have to navigate weather, the AWD offers peace of mind.

And the AWD system actually doesn’t put a big dent in your fuel economy. The 2020 Subaru Impreza gets 30 mpg overall which doesn’t put it at the top of its class. Does it beat some of its front-wheel-drive peers on gas mileage? Yes.

With AWD, the Impreza still offers a relatively balanced ride with responsive steering.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza

The 2020 Subaru Impreza is a smart blend of comfort, practicality, and safety. There are updated styling cues at the front end. There is also an expanded list of standard equipment. It’s user-friendly, roomy, and has a ride so comfortable that it rivals some luxury cars.

Freshened up for 2020, the Impreza got some new styling cues at the front bumper and grille. The headlights and tail lamps were updated on specific models. There are new wheel designs on the Sport and Limited models along with new driving modes. 

There are also automatic door locks on all models. The auxiliary and USB ports have been relocated to the front of the center console.

Impreza has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood that gets 152 hp. Its performance is decent with the CVT but better with the five-speed manual transmission. It has great stopping power with an impressively short stopping distance in emergency braking situations.

The Impreza has a subtle style. Its interior is spacious and functional with a visual appeal that shows Subaru is stepping up its game. The controls and gauges are easy to read and the climate control system is very user-friendly. 

The use of soft-touch plastics and an upscale feel of the interior make it even more of a contender in its class. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat yields a nice amount of cargo space in the hatchback. It’s not at the head of the class, but it’s enough space for most.

The driver-assist features are a bonus for families and the safety-conscious. The Subaru EyeSight suite of advanced safety features is available on models that have automatic transmission. But it’s not standard. The suite now has Subaru’s more advanced adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.

For a price that’s less than many compact cars and hatchbacks, the 2020 Subaru Impreza offers good gas mileage, comfort, tech, and the standard AWD. It’s roomy and comfortable with great safety ratings. If you’re looking for a hatchback that has a lot to offer and great value, the Impreza is worth a look.