Toyota Yaris vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?

Toyota Yaris

$26,090 - $44,888

2025 price

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Subaru Impreza

$23,888 - $39,888

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2025 Toyota Yaris

2024 Subaru Impreza

By Chris Thompson

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 3, 1.5L

Flat 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

3.3L/100km (combined)

7.5L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Space- and fuel-efficient
Capable platform
Borderline sporty styling

Even base car well equipped
Solid and comfortable
Standard safety equipment

Dislikes

Conservative interior
Lacks some features
Price

No hybrid option
Engine noisy when pushed
Loves a drink

2025 Toyota Yaris Summary

Long the domain of first-car buyers and suburbanites winding down on their driving years, the Toyota Yaris is now hybrid-only, and is a far cry from the $15,000-or-so cheap and cheerful staple it once was.

But with its fourth generation a few years into its lifespan, the Yaris is trying to be more than just a basic A-to-B runabout. In fact, the ZR we have on test is more expensive than an entry-grade Volkswagen Polo.

Does more than $30,000 of light hatch really feel worth it once you’re behind the wheel, or are you better off pocketing almost $10,000 to save on one of the thinning pack of rivals?

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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 Toyota Yaris 2024 Subaru Impreza

Verdict

The Toyota Yaris is as much car as many people should really need, and it's a refreshing antidote to the largely unnecessary shift towards SUVs as the ‘default vehicle’.

In the case of the ZR grade, the pricing could understandably be a reason you might consider an SUV instead. There are plenty of options for a similar price.

The problem with an SUV though is it will likely be less efficient and, due to physics, less agile and fun to drive.

Given the price and the fact that a couple of features are missing, the ZR probably isn't the variant to go for, but the Yaris is an overall solid foundation for a very convincing hatchback.

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.

Toyota Yaris vs Subaru Impreza What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Yaris vs Subaru Impreza
What's the difference?