Audi A1 vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?

Audi A1

$18,998 - $29,990

2020 price

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Subaru Impreza

$23,888 - $39,888

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2020 Audi A1

2024 Subaru Impreza

By Matt Campbell

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.8L

Flat 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

7.5L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Character-filled car
Sporty performance
City-friendly dimensions

Even base car well equipped
Solid and comfortable
Standard safety equipment

Dislikes

Fuel use a bit high
Expensive
Back seat lacks amenities

No hybrid option
Engine noisy when pushed
Loves a drink

2020 Audi A1 Summary

The Audi A1 2020 range offers something for everyone, and in the case of this particular variant, it’s the one you buy if you want as much grunt and gear as you can get.

It’s the top-of-the-range Audi A1 40 TFSI model, which gets the zestiest engine, the lengthiest equipment list, and offers performance to match some hot-hatches out there. It’s essentially an Audi-ised version of a VW Polo GTI.

This test wasn’t so much about the wow-factor, though. We put it through its paces as an urban runabout to see how it coped as a real-world city car.

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2024 Subaru Impreza Summary

For over thirty years, the Subaru Impreza has been an icon on Australian roads.

If you’re a member of the ‘PlayStation generation’ like me, there’s a very good chance you slapped P plates on one as your first car.

For Subaru the Impreza is more than that. Along with its WRX performance variant, it's the car which put Subaru on the map, raising it from a relatively unknown Japanese automaker to a global household name.

Things change, though, and despite 30-plus years of history as a beloved nameplate, the Impreza has gone from a best-seller to tumbling down the sales charts as buyers shuffle into small SUVs rather than hatchbacks or small sedans.

The question we’re looking to answer today is what this new-generation Impreza has to offer in 2024, and whether it is still worth a look.

Read on to see what we found.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Audi A1 2024 Subaru Impreza

Verdict

If you’re eager for a sporty compact hatchback with premium design and luxury car badges, the Audi A1 40 TFSI is a very, very strong contender. It’s fast, fun, and functional for a little hatchback. It’s just very expensive, and for most people the $10K cheaper 35 TFSI model will tick most of the boxes. I’d recommend you drive it before signing on for the top-spec model.

Verdict

The 2024 Impreza delivers on all the key things which have made the nameplate so well regarded for the last 30-odd years.

The issue is, buyer expectations have moved on. Hatchbacks need to do more than ever to compete with small SUVs, and with today’s fuel prices it’s far more valuable to offer hybrid rather than all-wheel drive.

This is why, despite the sixth-generation Impreza being a tidy high-tech offering with an admirable commitment to safety, I think it will ultimately continue to shrink its market share. This Impreza really is one for the fans.

Audi A1 vs Subaru Impreza What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A1 vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?