Is Subaru Impreza a Sedan? A Complete Guide to Its Body Styles

If you have been browsing used-car listings or looking through Subaru's current lineup, you may have run into a surprisingly simple question with a not-so-simple answer: is Subaru Impreza a sedan?

The short answer is yes historically, but not anymore in the U.S. market.

For decades, the Subaru Impreza was available as a traditional four-door sedan as well as a practical hatchback. However, Subaru changed direction with the sixth-generation Impreza. Starting with the 2024 model year in the United States, the Impreza became a hatchback-only model. That remains true for the 2026 Subaru Impreza, which Subaru officially describes as a compact five-door hatchback.

So, if somebody points toward a 2018 Impreza sedan and calls it an Impreza, they are absolutely correct. If somebody walks into a Subaru dealership today expecting to order a brand-new Impreza sedan, though, they will not find one.

Confusing? A little. Think of the Impreza name as an actor who changed costumes halfway through a long-running show. The character remains familiar, but the wardrobe has changed dramatically.

Let's unpack exactly what happened, which Impreza years were sedans, how sedan and hatchback versions differ, and what buyers should choose today.

So, Is the Subaru Impreza a Sedan or Hatchback?

The Subaru Impreza has been both a sedan and a hatchback during its history.

Older generations were offered in several body configurations depending on the year and market. In the United States, buyers could choose between a conventional four-door sedan and a hatchback for many years.

That changed with the redesigned 2024 Impreza.

The current Impreza is exclusively a five-door hatchback. Subaru's 2026 model page specifically describes it as having a sporty hatchback design and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

We can therefore simplify the answer like this:

• Older Subaru Impreza: available as a sedan or hatchback depending on year.
• 2023 Impreza: sedan and hatchback were still available in the U.S.
• 2024 and newer Impreza: hatchback only in the U.S.
• Current 2026 Impreza: five-door hatchback.
• Want a current Subaru sports sedan? The WRX remains the obvious Subaru alternative.

That distinction matters especially when shopping online because used-car websites contain thousands of Impreza sedans even though Subaru's current website shows only hatchbacks.

What Exactly Makes a Car a Sedan?

Before going deeper, it helps to define what we mean by "sedan."

A traditional sedan has a three-box design. Imagine the vehicle divided into three visual sections:

1. The engine compartment.
2. The passenger cabin.
3. A separate trunk.

That third section is the important one.

On a sedan, the rear window generally remains fixed when the trunk lid opens. Luggage goes into a separate compartment behind the passenger area.

A hatchback works differently. Its rear door includes the rear glass and swings upward as one large panel.

Why the Difference Matters

The distinction is more than visual.

A sedan generally gives you a separated cargo area, while a hatchback offers a larger opening and more flexibility.

Picture trying to load a boxed television.

A sedan trunk may technically have enough cubic feet, yet the narrow trunk opening could make getting the box inside frustrating.

With a hatchback, we simply lift the large rear door and slide the box inside.

That everyday practicality helps explain why Subaru eventually concentrated entirely on the hatchback Impreza.

Was the Subaru Impreza Originally a Sedan?

Yes.

The Impreza's history stretches back to the early 1990s, and the sedan has been an important part of that history.

The first-generation Impreza entered the market as Subaru's compact passenger car and became available in sedan and wagon-style configurations.

For many enthusiasts, the sedan shape became inseparable from the Impreza name because performance-oriented Impreza models built an enormous reputation in rallying.

Long before crossovers became the default family vehicle, an Impreza sedan offered something slightly unusual: compact-car proportions paired with Subaru's all-wheel-drive philosophy.

It was practical without feeling completely ordinary.

Subaru Impreza Sedan Generations Explained

The easiest way to understand the confusion is to look at how the Impreza evolved.

First-Generation Subaru Impreza

The first Impreza arrived for the 1990s and helped establish the basic formula that would follow the car for decades.

A compact body, boxer engine, and available or standard all-wheel-drive capability—depending on model and market—made the Impreza stand apart from conventional economy sedans.

Sedan versions had a clear trunk and conventional four-door profile.

Why Early Impreza Sedans Became Famous

Performance played a major role.

The Impreza became heavily associated with rally competition, turbocharged engines, and eventually the WRX and WRX STI names.

For an entire generation of car enthusiasts, a blue Subaru sedan wearing gold wheels became about as subtle as a lightning bolt.

Even ordinary Impreza sedans benefited from that halo.

Second-Generation Subaru Impreza

The second generation continued offering sedan configurations while experimenting with styling that changed noticeably throughout its production life.

Subaru revised the front-end design several times, giving enthusiasts memorable nicknames for different versions.

Underneath those cosmetic changes, though, the fundamental idea remained intact: the Impreza was a compact Subaru passenger car that buyers could obtain in practical body styles.

Third-Generation Subaru Impreza

The third generation broadened the Impreza's mainstream appeal.

Sedan and hatchback configurations allowed Subaru to reach buyers with completely different priorities.

Someone looking for a traditional compact commuter could choose the sedan. Someone needing additional loading flexibility could choose the hatchback.

It was essentially one recipe served on two different plates.

Fourth-Generation Subaru Impreza

By the fourth generation, Subaru was pushing the Impreza further toward everyday practicality, efficiency, and comfort.

The sedan remained available.

Its conservative shape appealed to drivers who liked Subaru's traction advantages but did not necessarily want their compact car to resemble a small wagon.

Fifth-Generation Subaru Impreza

The fifth-generation Impreza, sold through the 2023 model year in the U.S., represents an especially important generation for anyone asking whether an Impreza is a sedan.

Why?

Because both sedan and hatchback versions existed very recently.

That means used-car inventories remain full of late-model Impreza sedans. A buyer can easily see a 2021 or 2022 Impreza sedan and assume Subaru still makes the same configuration.

That assumption is where the confusion begins.

Sixth-Generation Subaru Impreza

The sixth generation debuted for the 2024 model year and changed the equation completely.

Subaru dropped the Impreza sedan from its U.S. lineup.

The redesign left the Impreza exclusively as a hatchback, and Subaru has continued that strategy. The 2025 Impreza was identified as a four-door hatchback-only vehicle, and the current 2026 model is likewise marketed as a compact five-door hatchback.

In other words, the answer to "Is Subaru Impreza a sedan?" depends heavily on whether we are talking about history or the showroom today.

When Did Subaru Stop Making the Impreza Sedan?

For the U.S. market, 2023 was the final model year of the Impreza sedan.

When the redesigned 2024 Impreza arrived, Subaru eliminated the four-door sedan body style.

From 2024 onward, new Imprezas became hatchbacks.

That means a simple rule works surprisingly well when browsing U.S.-market cars:

2023 or older? A sedan may exist.
2024 or newer? You're looking at a hatchback.

Of course, international availability and model timelines can differ, so buyers outside the United States should confirm specifications for their particular market.

Why Did Subaru Discontinue the Impreza Sedan?

Subaru has not needed to turn this decision into a dramatic farewell story. The move makes sense when we look at the company's broader lineup and what modern buyers want.

Compact sedans now compete not only against other sedans but also against hatchbacks and a huge range of compact crossovers.

Is Subaru Impreza an SUV? A Clear Look at What the Impreza Really Is

The hatchback allows Subaru to emphasize versatility without turning the Impreza into another SUV.

The Hatchback Is More Practical

The biggest advantage is obvious the first time we open the back.

A hatchback gives us:

• A wider cargo opening.
• Easier loading of bulky items.
• Folding rear seats.
• More flexible passenger-and-cargo combinations.
• Better access to the entire cargo area.

The 2026 Impreza offers 20.4 cubic feet of cargo space according to Subaru, along with up to 120.9 cubic feet of total interior volume.

That versatility fits perfectly with Subaru's outdoorsy image.

Camping bags? Easy.

A bicycle with some disassembly? Much easier.

A week's worth of shopping? No drama.

A strange flat-packed piece of furniture you were absolutely certain would fit?

Well, at least the hatchback gives you a fighting chance.

Subaru Already Has Other Sedan Choices

Another reason the Impreza sedan became less essential is product positioning.

Historically, Subaru had the larger Legacy sedan and the performance-oriented WRX. The Legacy was ultimately discontinued after the 2025 model year, while Subaru continues to position the WRX as its sports sedan. Subaru itself now points shoppers toward the WRX sports sedan or Impreza hatchback when discussing its passenger-car lineup.

The company therefore does not need two vehicles doing almost the same job.

Is the Current Subaru Impreza a Four-Door Car?

Here is another point that trips people up.

The current Impreza has four passenger doors, but technically Subaru describes it as a five-door hatchback.

Why five?

Because manufacturers count the rear hatch as a door.

You get:

• Two front doors.
• Two rear passenger doors.
• One rear hatch.

Total: five.

That does not make it a sedan.

A four-passenger-door vehicle can still be a hatchback because body style depends largely on the rear structure and cargo access rather than simply the number of side doors.

Subaru Impreza Sedan vs Hatchback

Suppose we are shopping for a used fifth-generation Impreza, where both body styles are available.

Which one makes more sense?

Neither is universally better. Their personalities simply lean in different directions.

Impreza Sedan Advantages

The sedan appeals to us if we prefer traditional proportions.

It generally looks a little sleeker and less utilitarian. Some buyers also appreciate having luggage hidden inside a physically separate trunk.

A sedan's closed cargo compartment can help isolate some cargo noise from the passenger cabin as well.

For commuters carrying laptops, briefcases, small suitcases, or groceries, a conventional trunk may be all we need.

Impreza Hatchback Advantages

The hatchback fights back with versatility.

Its larger rear opening transforms how we use the car.

Fold the rear seats and suddenly a compact Impreza can swallow objects that would leave sedan owners staring at their trunk opening like a puzzle they forgot how to solve.

For dogs, camping equipment, sports gear, large boxes, bicycles, or frequent home-improvement-store runs, the hatchback generally makes more sense.

Does the Impreza Hatchback Drive Like a Sedan?

Pretty much—and that is part of its appeal.

The current Impreza may have a hatch at the back, but it remains a compact passenger car rather than a tall crossover.

You sit relatively low compared with an SUV. The roofline stays conventional. The footprint is manageable, and its road manners remain closer to a compact car than something like a Forester.

This gives the Impreza an interesting middle ground.

It has much of a hatchback's cargo flexibility without asking us to drive a taller SUV.

Standard All-Wheel Drive Changes the Formula

The other defining ingredient is Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The 2026 Impreza continues to include standard AWD, which differentiates it from many mainstream compact hatchbacks where front-wheel drive is the normal configuration.

For people living with snow, frequent rain, gravel roads, or changing road conditions, that can be a major selling point.

It does not turn the Impreza into a mountain goat, but it gives the car a useful traction advantage.

Is a Subaru Impreza Considered a Compact Car?

Yes.

Regardless of whether we are discussing a sedan or hatchback version, the Impreza belongs broadly in the compact-car class.

That puts it into the same general conversation as cars such as the:

• Honda Civic.
• Toyota Corolla.
• Mazda3.
• Hyundai Elantra.
• Volkswagen Golf, depending on market and generation.

The exact comparison changes because several competitors are available in different body styles.

Current Impreza positioning leans particularly hard toward hatchback shoppers.

Subaru itself compares the Impreza with vehicles including the Honda Civic Hatchback, Toyota Corolla Hatchback, and Mazda3 Hatchback.

Is the Subaru WRX an Impreza Sedan?

This question deserves special attention.

Historically, the WRX was closely connected to the Impreza. Older models carried the Subaru Impreza WRX name, and the relationship became deeply embedded in car culture.

Today, however, Subaru treats the WRX as its own model line.

So a current WRX should not simply be described as an Impreza sedan.

They share historical roots, and there is still plenty of Subaru DNA connecting them, but they occupy separate places in the current lineup.

Impreza vs WRX for Sedan Buyers

If we specifically want a new Subaru sedan, the WRX is the closest conceptual alternative to the discontinued Impreza sedan.

But there is an important catch: the WRX is considerably more performance-focused.

The Impreza aims at practical daily transportation, efficiency, usability, and all-weather confidence.

The WRX adds turbocharged performance and considerably more attitude.

Think sensible hiking shoes versus running spikes. Both may come from the same sporting-goods store, but they are designed for different jobs.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek an Impreza SUV?

Not exactly, although this comparison makes sense.

The Impreza and Crosstrek have historically shared plenty of engineering DNA.

The easiest conceptual distinction is that the Impreza behaves like a conventional compact hatchback, while the Crosstrek takes a similar basic idea and adds crossover characteristics such as increased ride height, more ground clearance, and rugged styling.

If we like the Impreza hatchback but want something better suited to rough roads, the Crosstrek is naturally worth considering.

If we spend almost all our time on pavement and prefer a lower car-like driving position, the Impreza can be the cleaner choice.

Does the Subaru Impreza Have a Trunk?

A Subaru Impreza sedan does.

A current Impreza does not have a conventional sedan trunk.

Is Subaru Impreza an SUV? A Clear Look at What the Impreza Really Is

Is Subaru Impreza a Hatchback? Everything You Need to Know

Instead, it has a rear cargo area accessed through the hatch.

That sounds like semantics until we actually use the vehicle.

With a sedan, luggage lives behind a fixed rear seatback and beneath a separate trunk lid.

With a hatchback, the cargo area is part of the main interior space. Removing the cargo cover and folding the rear seats allows us to create one large loading area.

This distinction is one reason shoppers asking "does an Impreza have a trunk?" should first specify the model year.

Is a Used Subaru Impreza Sedan Still Worth Buying?

Potentially, yes.

The disappearance of the sedan from new-car showrooms does not suddenly make existing Impreza sedans obsolete.

Used examples can be appealing for buyers who want:

• Compact dimensions.
• Traditional sedan styling.
• All-wheel-drive capability.
• Four-door practicality.
• A less SUV-like driving experience.
• Potentially lower purchase prices than a comparable crossover.

But condition matters far more than body style.

A meticulously maintained Impreza sedan with good service records is usually a more promising purchase than a neglected hatchback—or vice versa.

What Should We Check Before Buying One?

For any used Impreza, we should look carefully at maintenance history, accident history, tire condition, suspension condition, warning lights, fluid leaks, and how the transmission behaves during a test drive.

Because AWD systems can be sensitive to major differences in tire circumference, checking whether all four tires are appropriately matched is especially sensible.

We should also research the exact year, trim, engine, recalls, and service requirements rather than treating every Impreza as mechanically identical.

Which Is Better: Impreza Sedan or Hatchback?

If both versions are available in the used market, the answer comes down to how we use the car.

Choose the Impreza sedan if we value traditional styling, rarely carry bulky cargo, prefer a separate trunk, or simply like the proportions of a sedan.

Choose the Impreza hatchback if we regularly transport equipment, pets, luggage, or awkwardly shaped items.

For most buyers who want one compact vehicle to handle a little bit of everything, the hatchback arguably has the stronger practical case.

And Subaru appears to agree. After all, it is the body style the company chose to keep.

Who Should Buy the Current Subaru Impreza?

The current hatchback makes the most sense for someone who wants compact-car road manners without sacrificing too much utility.

It can be particularly attractive to commuters who face bad weather yet do not want a crossover.

The combination of standard all-wheel drive, manageable dimensions, usable cargo space, and hatchback flexibility gives it a niche that few competitors duplicate exactly.

The 2026 Impreza continues with standard Symmetrical AWD and is offered as a sporty compact hatchback rather than a sedan.

Who Might Prefer Something Else?

Not every buyer will love the formula.

If a conventional trunk is essential, we need another sedan.

If maximum ground clearance is important, a Crosstrek or Forester may suit us better.

If performance is the priority, the WRX is a much more exciting direction.

And if we simply want an inexpensive front-wheel-drive compact commuter, rivals such as the Corolla or Civic may provide different combinations of efficiency, price, equipment, and body style.

Why People Still Call the Impreza a Sedan

Search engines, used-car listings, forums, and old articles preserve decades of Impreza history.

That is why someone searching "is Subaru Impreza a sedan" can receive apparently contradictory answers.

One website may show a 2020 Impreza with a trunk.

Another shows a brand-new red hatchback.

Both are correct.

The missing ingredient is the model year.

This is an important lesson whenever we research long-running vehicle names. Cars evolve. Engines change, platforms change, body styles disappear, and sometimes a familiar badge ends up attached to a somewhat different product.

The Impreza is a perfect example.

How to Tell an Impreza Sedan From a Hatchback Instantly

Fortunately, no engineering degree is required.

Look at the rear.

On an Impreza sedan, the rear window ends before a separate horizontal trunk lid.

On an Impreza hatchback, the roof extends farther toward the rear and the rear glass is built into the liftgate.

From the side, the difference becomes even easier to recognize.

The sedan looks like three distinct shapes joined together: hood, cabin, trunk.

The hatchback looks more like two: engine compartment and one extended passenger/cargo cabin.

A Simple Shopping Shortcut

When browsing listings, use this rule:

Separate trunk = sedan.
Rear glass lifts with cargo door = hatchback.

It sounds almost laughably simple, but it prevents plenty of confusion when dealers use vague terms such as "4-door," "5-door," or "compact AWD."

Does Subaru Still Make Any Traditional Sedans?

Subaru's sedan lineup has become much smaller.

The Legacy, once Subaru's mainstream midsize sedan, was discontinued after the 2025 model year. Subaru's own current Legacy page points shoppers toward alternatives such as the WRX sports sedan and Impreza hatchback.

That leaves the WRX as the major sedan choice in Subaru's present U.S. passenger-car range.

This reflects a much bigger market trend.

SUVs and crossovers have absorbed much of the demand that once belonged to traditional family sedans, and manufacturers are concentrating investments where customers are buying.

The Impreza survived—but it survived as a hatchback.

The Bottom Line: Is Subaru Impreza a Sedan?

So, is Subaru Impreza a sedan?

It can be, depending on the year.

For much of its history, Subaru offered the Impreza as a four-door sedan, and millions of used examples still exist. In the U.S., the sedan remained available through the 2023 model year.

But if we are talking about a new Subaru Impreza, the answer is no.

Beginning with the redesigned 2024 generation, Subaru dropped the Impreza sedan and concentrated on the five-door hatchback. The 2026 Subaru Impreza is officially a compact hatchback, complete with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and the flexible cargo layout that now defines the model.

In a strange way, the change makes sense.

The Impreza has always been a practical car with a slightly adventurous streak. A hatchback simply gives that personality more room to breathe.

So if we want a used Impreza with a proper trunk, there are plenty to choose from.

If we want a brand-new one?

Raise the hatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a Subaru Impreza considered a sedan?

Some Subaru Imprezas are sedans, but the answer depends on model year. Older Imprezas were available as four-door sedans and hatchbacks. In the United States, Subaru discontinued the Impreza sedan after the 2023 model year. Current Imprezas are hatchbacks.

2. Does Subaru make an Impreza sedan in 2026?

No. The 2026 Subaru Impreza is a five-door compact hatchback, not a sedan. Subaru markets the current model around hatchback versatility, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and flexible interior space.

3. What was the last year for the Subaru Impreza sedan?

In the U.S. market, 2023 was the last model year for the Impreza sedan. When Subaru launched the redesigned sixth-generation 2024 Impreza, the company switched to a hatchback-only lineup.

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4. Is the Subaru WRX an Impreza sedan?

Not anymore. The WRX historically developed from the Impreza family and older cars were marketed with the Impreza WRX name. Today, however, Subaru sells the WRX as a separate model. It remains a sedan and is the more performance-oriented choice.

5. Is an Impreza hatchback better than an Impreza sedan?

It depends on our priorities. The hatchback is usually more versatile because its large rear opening and folding seats make carrying bulky cargo easier. The sedan offers traditional styling and a separate trunk. For used-car buyers, both can make sense; for new Impreza buyers, the decision has already been made because the current model is hatchback-only.

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