If your idea of a reliable car in San Diego balances safety and comfort, the 2026 Subaru Impreza for sale should be at the top of your mind. Known for its spacious interior, all-weather capability, and advanced safety tech, the 2026 Impreza is built for San Diego weather and varied roads.
But which 2026 Subaru Impreza trim levels should you bring home? Let us break down the different trims and their features so you can find your perfect match at Dalton Subaru National City.
Out With The Old, In With The New: 2026 Subaru Impreza Overview
The Subaru Impreza 2026 makes a few bold moves as it brings several crucial updates not only to improve its appeal, but also performance, comfort, and safety. Out of these changes, the most notable of which is the removal of its base trim.
Instead of offering more options, Subaru streamlined the Impreza lineup, allowing buyers to choose from just two trims: the Sport and RS trims. You may think this is counterintuitive, but such a move ensures that Subaru can focus more on delivering features and performance, aligning with the buyers’ expectations.
Another key change Subaru is bringing to the Impreza’s 2026 model is the refined powertrain options. You can still expect the same Subaru reliability and All Wheel Drive (AWD) capability. But the difference lies in what’s under the hood. The Sport trim has a 2.0-L flat-4 engine producing approximately 152 horsepower, while the RS trim offers a more robust 2.5-L engine capable of producing 180 horsepower.
Safety has also been boosted with the addition of rear-seat side airbags and Emergency Lane-Keeping Assist to its standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This way, rear passengers are protected during side impacts while helping drivers stay safe on highway rides.
Inside the cabin, you can expect a larger infotainment screen with crisp visuals and additional speakers for a more premium feel. Climate controls are also added for better efficiency and airflow.
With all these improvements, you’d surely want to take a closer look at what the new Subaru Impreza trims bring to the road.
Trim Options, Performance, and Fuel Efficiency
Compared to the 2025 Subaru Impreza, the 2026 version only gives you two options: the Sport and the RS trims. This may seem like a downgrade, but it actually makes it easier for buyers to choose the sedan that fits their San Diego lifestyle best.
2026 Subaru Impreza Sport
For drivers prioritizing efficiency and dependability over power, the 2026 Subaru Impreza Sport meets all your needs. It has a reliable 2.0-L Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder DOHC engine capable of producing 152 horsepower and torque of 145 lb-ft.
It may not have the same powerful engine as the RS trim has, but it has Subaru’s All Wheel Drive (AWD) system. A standard for all Subaru Impreza 2026 trims, this feature makes sure that your sedan has balanced weight distribution and better traction in tricky weather conditions.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the 2026 Impreza Sport averages 33 MPG hwy/27 MPG city. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy more hours on the road than at gas stations while saving more money on fuel costs.
2026 Subaru Impreza RS
The Impreza RS, on the other hand, is made for those who love more power and excitement behind the wheel. It has a stronger 2.5-L Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder DOHC engine that can produce 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This makes the RS more responsive when you press on the gas pedal.
It even comes with a sport-tuned suspension for better handling, making the car feel more stable and agile when driving on twisty roads or taking turns. Apart from these, you can also expect stylish upgrades like 18-inch alloy wheels with a layered spoke design and RS Cloth upholstery with bold contrast stitching for a more premium feel.
Despite being more powerful than the Sport, the 2026 Subaru Impreza RS is still a fuel-efficient sedan with its 33 MPG hwy/26 MPG city scores. Though you have more horsepower, your fuel savings don’t go down the drain unlike other power-oriented vehicles.
Exterior and Practical Features
From the outside, the 2026 Subaru Impreza sedan features a stylish and functional compact hatchback. At the front, its angular, scaled front grille gives an athletic yet modern vibe. Headlights have sharp designs, and the entire body has an aerodynamic shape that helps with the sedan’s efficiency and stability on the road.
And, if you need a place to mount your bikes, kayaks, skis, or surfboards, the Impreza also has roof crossbar mounting points. But what sets this sedan apart from the rest is its hatchback design. With a wider opening and a low loading floor, you can easily load bulky items in the cargo area.
Advanced Driver Assist and Safety Features
Safety has been the trademark for every Subaru vehicle. And the 2026 Impreza models aren’t exempt from that.
For one, all trims of the Subaru Impreza 2026 come equipped with the signature EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. This gives drivers features that act as their extra set of eyes, which include:
- Automatic Pre-Collision Braking to automatically apply the brakes when sensing a collision, preventing or reducing the impact
- Automatic Emergency Steering steers you away from obstacles if braking isn’t enough
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering to adjust your speed while driving on the highway, effectively maintaining a safe distance from cars ahead of you while keeping you centered in your lane
- Lane Departure and Lane Keeping Assist to nudge you back into the lane, reducing side swipes and unintentional lane changes
What makes the 2026 models of the Subaru Impreza are their latest additions. Topping off the list is its rear-seat side airbags. With this feature standard across the two trims, this gives passengers seated at the back an extra layer of protection during a collision.
But, if you’re upgrading to the RS trim or choosing option packages, here are more advanced tech to enjoy:
- Blind-Spot Detection to help you monitor your blind spots while changing lanes
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn you of approaching pedestrians/cars when reversing
- Emergency Lane-Keeping Assist to prevent unintentional lane changes
With all these safety and driver-assist features added, you can have peace of mind while coasting through San Diego’s wet roads, hilly terrains, or busy freeways, no matter the weather.
Interior Technology and Comfort You’ll Love
As soon as you step inside the 2026 Subaru Impreza for sale at Subaru Dalton, you will notice not only its modern and cozy design, but also its spacious cabin. With a generous 100.5 cubic feet of passenger volume (99.0 cubic feet if with moonroof), you have plenty of space for both front and rear passengers.
Even at the back, you get 20.4 cubic feet of cargo space, way more than other hatchbacks in this class. If you need more space, just drop the rear seatbacks, and you get up to 56.0 cubic feet more of space. This way, you don’t have to compromise on the essentials, no matter what trip you’re going to take in the Impreza 2026.
Apart from its generous space, you’ll also get an 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen on both trims. This allows you to wirelessly access music, apps, and navigation via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With USB-C and USB-A ports throughout the cabin* and wireless charging, you can power up if more than one device runs out of juice.
For long drives, you can enjoy listening to good music thanks to its standard six-speaker system. But if you want to have a more premium experience, upgrade to the Harman Kardon premium audio system**, which features 10 speakers and a 432-watt amplifier.
Other tech features you can find in the 2026 Subaru Impreza include:
- Instrument cluster with speedometer and tachometer
- Keyless access with push-button start
- Power windows
- Electric cruise control
- 3-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls
- Auto on-off headlights
Comfort-wise, Subaru has made sure that the 2026 Impreza meets your needs. Apart from the Sport Cloth upholstery of the Sport trim, and RS Cloth Upholstery with red accents in the RS trim, you also get the All-Weather Package, which includes the following features:
- Heated front seats**
- Power/tilting moonroof (optional for both trims)
- Windshield wiper de-icer **
- Heated power side mirrors**
No more compromising on the temperature settings, thanks to its standard dual-zone automatic climate control system. It ensures each person in the front gets to enjoy the temperature settings that keep them comfortable throughout the ride.
Even if you’re driving on a cool San Diego morning or going to Palomar Mountain, you can expect to be comfortable with each ride in the 2026 Impreza.
Note:
* - Rear charging ports only available in the RS trim
** - Only available in the RS trim
*** - Optional in the Sport trim
Make The 2026 Subaru Impreza Yours Today!
The 2026 Subaru Impreza combines everything that San Diego drivers want in a vehicle: versatility, safety, and intelligence. But choosing the right trim for you is key to fully bringing out its potential.
Whether you’re heading for a surf session, a quick downtown commute, or a weekend road trip, there is a Subaru Impreza 2026 made for your needs. Schedule a test drive today at Dalton Subaru and let our ever-helpful team help you find your perfect Impreza today.Read Next: Is the 2025 Subaru Solterra a Good First EV?
