BMW 1 Series vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?

BMW 1 Series

$44,997 - $89,900

2025 price

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Subaru Impreza

$23,888 - $39,888

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2025 BMW 1 Series

2024 Subaru Impreza

By Chris Thompson

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Flat 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

7.5L/100km (combined)

Seating

—

Likes

Driving dynamics and performance
Front-row layout
Pricing remains competitive

Even base car well equipped
Solid and comfortable
Standard safety equipment

Dislikes

New face might divide opinion
Second-row amenities lacking
A tad thirsty

No hybrid option
Engine noisy when pushed
Loves a drink

2025 BMW 1 Series Summary

Can you believe the 1 Series is already in its fourth generation? It might not look incredibly like it, because this new car looks a little like the third.

But it’s been more than half a decade since the F40 1 Series debuted, so BMW decided it was already time for a new kid on the block. Meet the F70.

It’s just landed in Australia and it promises new-gen tech and features compared with its predecessor. We checked out BMW’s new baby at its Australian launch to find out if it delivers.

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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

2025 BMW 1 Series 2024 Subaru Impreza

Verdict

A brief dalliance with the 1 Series has left me impressed, if wanting to spend more time with it to get a better assessment of the day-to-day liveability of BMW’s entry-level model.

It’s a compelling offering if you’re after a premium small car, and even without the performance of the M135, the 118 is feature-packed.

Keeping pricing competitive should help the 1 Series buck the trend of buyers opting for small SUVs, but ultimately it’s just refreshing to see BMW putting effort into keeping a hatchback relevant (and up-to-date).

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

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.

BMW 1 Series vs Subaru Impreza What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW 1 Series vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?