2020 Corolla Hatchback vs. Impreza Hatchback Comparison
Few competitors stack up to the 2020 Corolla HB with a winning combination of safety and fuel economy.
The base-grade 2020 Corolla HB SE comes with an available CVT at a $21,390 starting MSRP and includes Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0). The base model of the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door has an available CVT for $19,195 starting MSRP but does not come standard. It also does not include the TSS-comparable Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology.
The 2020 Corolla Hatchback with LED projector headlights received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick award. The 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door also received the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety when equipped with LED projector headlights and optional EyeSight® Driver-Assist System.
For the budget-minded, the 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT outperforms the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT in fuel economy ratings for both city and highway. In this comparison, we will look at the crucial categories of performance, safety, and interior features.
Published Date: 02/20/2020
Performance
- The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT’s EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 32/41/35 MPG (city/highway/combined) beats Subaru Impreza’s 28/36 MPG (city/highway).
- Corolla HB SE CVT has 168 HP and 151 lb.-ft. torque to the Impreza’s 152 HP and 145 lb.-ft. torque.
- Corolla HB comes standard with ToyotaCare, a no-cost scheduled maintenance plan. Impreza does not include a no-cost maintenance plan.
The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT is more powerful than the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT. The Corolla HB SE CVT has 168 HP and 151 lb.-ft. torque, while the comparable Impreza HB has 152 HP and 145 lb.-ft. torque. Both vehicles offer a manual transmission option backed by the same engine performance numbers.
Fuel Economy and ToyotaCare
When it comes to fuel economy, Corolla Hatchback is the clear winner. The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT has an EPA-estimated rating of 32/41/35 MPG (city/highway/combined) which beats the Subaru Impreza CVT 5-door‘s EPA-estimated rating of 28/36 MPG (city/highway).
Plus, every lease and purchase of a new Toyota vehicle comes standard with a no-cost scheduled maintenance plan. ToyotaCare lasts for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. It also includes 24-hour roadside assistance that lasts for two years and unlimited miles. Subaru’s roadside assistance lasts for the life of the 3-year, 36,000-mile Limited Warranty. Also, Subaru does have several maintenance plans available, but the extra cost and duration depends on the plan you choose.
Safety
- Both the 2020 Corolla HB and 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick when equipped with LED projector headlights. The Subaru Impreza also needs the optional EyeSight® Driver-Assist System.
- 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0) active safety features.
- 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT offers more standard and available safety features than the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT.
For the safety-minded, the 2020 Corolla HB and 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick when equipped with LED projector headlights. The Subaru Impreza also needs the optional EyeSight® Driver-Assist System.
Standard Safety Features
The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0) active safety features. This bundle includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) with low light pedestrian detection and daytime cyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
The 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes standard with some safety features like Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Brake Assist. EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, a feature that assists with cruise control; alerts you if you move from your lane; and monitors traffic, is optional on the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are not available at this trim level.
When it comes to safety, the 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT offers more standard and available features than the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT.
Interior
- 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT comes standard with an 8-in. touch-screen; the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes with a standard 6.5-in. touch-screen.
- 2020 Corolla HB comes standard with six speakers while the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes standard with four speakers.
- Corolla comes standard with Amazon Alexa compatibility, a feature not offered on the Impreza.
Both the 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT and the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT have similar front legroom space at 42.0 inches and 43.1 inches, respectively. Both seat five people.
Multimedia System
The Corolla HB SE CVT and the 2020 Subaru Impreza CVT 5-door both come standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto compatibility. Corolla also comes standard with Amazon Alexa, a feature not offered on the Impreza. While the 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT has two USB ports standard, the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes with just one USB port.
When it comes to audio, the 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT outplays the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT. The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT comes standard with an 8-in. touch-screen and three-month Wi-Fi Connect trial. The 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes standard with Subaru STARLINK™ Multimedia which has a 6.5-in. touch-screen.
While the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT comes standard with a four speaker audio system, the Corolla HB comes standard with six speakers.
Conclusion: Corolla Hatchback vs. Impreza Hatchback
- 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT outperforms the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT in EPA-estimated MPG ratings for both city and highway.
- Corolla HB comes standard with ToyotaCare, a no-cost maintenance plan.
- 2020 Corolla HB is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick when equipped with LED projector headlights.
The 2020 Corolla HB SE CVT outperforms the 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door CVT in EPA-estimated MPG ratings for both city and highway.
While the starting MSRP of the Corolla Hatchback SE 6MT is slightly higher (MSRP $20,290) than the Impreza 5-door (MSRP $19,195), Corolla’s standard features out-do those of the Impreza. For instance, Subaru offerings comparable to Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0) and the ToyotaCare’s no-cost maintenance plan would add significant extra cost. See a Subaru dealer for details.
Because Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0) comes standard across all grades, the 2020 Corolla HB offers more standard active safety features than the base-grade 2020 Subaru Impreza 5-door.
In addition, both the 2020 Corolla HB and Subaru Impreza 5-door with LED projector headlights received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. However, the Subaru Impreza also needs the optional EyeSight® Driver-Assist System. For those looking for top-rated safety features no matter the grade, better performance, and better fuel economy, the 2020 Corolla HB is the way to go.