Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Compact with permanent all-wheel drive, sold in France with a 1.6i (114 hp) and a 2.0i (150 hp) petrol engine, with a Lineartronic CVT gearbox. Its main point of concern is the oil consumption of the 2.0 engine in the 2012-2013 model years, which led to a Subaru technical bulletin and a procedure in the United States: check the oil level and the service history before buying.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €7,500 – €15,000
- Monthly cost
- €369
- Euro NCAP
- Not tested
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.6i Lineartronic.
1.6i Lineartronic
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 114 hp · 6.1 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
1.6 petrol boxer with 114 hp, Lineartronic CVT gearbox and all-wheel drive (Caroom, Zeperfs).
2.0i Lineartronic
Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 petrol boxer with 150 hp and Lineartronic CVT gearbox. The 2.0 engines of the 2012-2013 model years are affected by oil consumption: check the oil level.
2.0i manuelle
Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 petrol boxer with 150 hp, manual gearbox (listed in Caroom specifications for 2012-2017). Same vigilance regarding oil consumption.
Market prices
€7,500 – €15,000
Indicative range: 2013 to 2016, 49,000 to 200,000 km, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking (few listings).
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Excessive oil consumption (2.0 FB engine, 2012-2013)
Severity 2/3 · CostlySubaru published a technical bulletin (02-157-14R) on the surface treatment of the oil control rings of the 2012-2013 Impreza 2.0 FB. A class action filed in 2014 in the United States accused these engines of premature ring wear and excessive oil consumption; Subaru agreed to extend repair coverage (8 years / 100,000 miles in the United States). These points concern the American market: check the oil level and the history with a Subaru repairer.
- Versions
- 2.0i Lineartronic, 2.0i manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Bulletin technique Subaru 02-157-14R (segments de piston, Impreza 2.0 FB) — NHTSA (new tab)
- Lawsuit charges Subaru engines may have defective piston ring — ConsumerAffairs (new tab)
- Subaru Owners Win Compensation And Warranty Boost For Oil-Burning Cars — Jalopnik (new tab)
- Subaru sued over claims of dangerous auto defect — WTOP (new tab)
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru Impreza”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €150 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €80 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €113 |
| Total per month | €369 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€150
1.6i Lineartronic version: combined consumption of 6.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €150
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€80
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€113
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Impreza IV (GP / GJ) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check the oil level when cold and ask for details of top-ups between oil changes (especially for the 2.0 of 2012-2013).
- Ask the Subaru network, using the serial number, whether the piston ring bulletin or a recall has been applied.
- Try the Lineartronic gearbox: smooth, strong acceleration, without jerks or vibrations.
- Check the service book and the oil change invoices.
- Check tyre wear (all-wheel drive: four tyres with matching wear).
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had to top up the oil between oil changes?
- Has the engine had work on the piston rings, or a recall?
- Has the car always been serviced within the Subaru network, with invoices?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Auris
II · 2012–2018
- Price
- €8,500 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kia Ceed
III · since 2018
- Price
- €13,075 – €26,490
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hyundai i30
II · 2012–2017
- Price
- €6,000 – €11,400
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Seat Leon
III · 2012–2020
- Price
- €7,445 – €17,990
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Subaru Impreza IV (GP / GJ) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru Impreza IV reliable?
French roadworthiness tests give the fourth generation a fail rate of 15.1% out of 1,117 tests, against a national average of 18.9% (iautos). The documented weak point is the oil consumption of the 2.0 engines of 2012-2013.
Which engines are available for the Impreza IV in France?
French listings show a 1.6i with 114 hp in Lineartronic and a 2.0i with 150 hp in Lineartronic or manual (Caroom). The 2.0D diesel belonged to the previous generation, which ended in early 2012 (L'argus).
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