You don't necessarily have to pick an SUV or a truck to tackle driving on snow this winter. There are plenty of crossovers and small cars available in the market that are capable enough to take on the challenges of snow driving. You just have to ensure that the vehicle you choose is well-equipped for handling winter conditions. According to iSeeCars, the Subaru Impreza ticks all the right boxes and is among the best-suited cars for driving on snow while having a sticker price that's less than $30,000.
For 2024, the Subaru Impreza gets a whole bunch of upgrades. There are improvements in its styling, the cabin now gets a modern look with more technology, and the Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is standard like before but now comes with a few tweaks to make the new Impreza more capable across various driving conditions. Let's take a closer look at some of the reasons that make this Subaru one of the best small cars for winter driving.
The Subaru Impreza Gets A Clever All-Wheel-Drive System
With the generation update, the Subaru Impreza continues with its 2.0-liter flat-four engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. There is also a bigger 2.5-liter engine, but for this year, it'll only be available on the Impreza RS. This motor pumps out 182 horsepower with 178 lb-ft of torque. Both engines get a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as a standard fitment.
What's also standard is the Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. For 2024, it promises better response times, gets more agile, and improves its cornering performance. It also benefits from Active Torque Vectoring, which is now standard across the Impreza range. Like other AWD systems, this also sends the engine's power to all four wheels. It is bound to come in handy during icy conditions when you need every ounce of traction to keep your car on the road.
In addition to the all-wheel drive system, the Impreza also gets a few other driver aids, making it a safe vehicle to operate in winter conditions. Features such as Traction Control and Vehicle Dynamic Control are standard on this Subaru. It also gets Anti-Lock Braking System which will prevent the wheels from locking up under heavy braking. And we don't need to tell you how dangerous locked-up wheels can be when the road surface is covered in ice.
The 2024 Impreza Is Feature Loaded To Tackle The Winters
Impreza's cabin also undergoes a massive overhaul for 2024. Apart from a change in the layout, the interior of this car now also comes with more tech. Sport and RS models come as standard with Subaru's STARLINK multimedia system with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen that supports wireless connection to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The large touchscreen also works as a central control hub for audio, climate, and vehicle functions. There are also multiple USB ports of various types to connect any smartphone of your choice.
While these features of the new Subaru Impreza might pamper you, what'll keep you nice and toasty on a cold winter morning is the dual-zone climate control that comes with a heating function. The Impreza's heated front seats will also be a blessing, which is available as an optional extra.
If you were to get stuck in your 2024 Impreza due to harsh winter weather conditions, the onboard Subaru STARLINK also offers a host of connected safety features. The kit includes automatic notifications in case of an accident, SOS assistance, and advanced roadside assistance.
The New Subaru Impreza Will Keep You Safe In Icy Conditions
The new Impreza also scores pretty high when it comes to offering a decent safety package. Its 2024 model range comes as standard with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assistance Technology. This tech has improved for the new generation and can operate over a wider range of conditions. For example, the system can now detect pedestrians and cyclists at intersections much faster and also apply emergency braking if necessary.
The EyeSight also offers adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist and pre-collision throttle management, making it much safer. If you add blind-spot monitoring, you'll also get an automatic emergency steering assist that will steer the car to avoid a collision at speeds less than 50 MPH. The Impreza also gets a tire pressure monitoring system as standard, which displays the pressure for individual wheels. This feature will be beneficial in winter, as cold temperatures can quickly drop your tire pressure.
The previous generation Subaru Impreza received the top scores in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As a result, it was the Top Safety Pick for 2022 by IIHS, a title that the Impreza has been clenching for the last 15 years. Unfortunately, neither of the agencies has crash-tested the new generation of this car, but Subaru expects it to continue offering the highest level of safety performance.
Source: iSeeCars / Subaru