Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Compact with all-wheel drive, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2017 and described as reliable by Parkers. The engines are considered unexciting and fuel consumption is high. The 2017-2019 model years are affected by a recall (ignition coils, risk of stalling): check that it has been carried out. Sources on faults specific to this generation remain scarce.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €10,500 – €20,000
- Monthly cost
- €453
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.6i 114 ch, 2.0 e-Boxer.
1.6i 114 ch
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 114 hp · 7.9 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
1.6 flat-4 with 114 hp, automatic gearbox (Lineartronic) and all-wheel drive according to the listings consulted. Announced fuel consumption 7.0 to 7.9 L/100 km (Auto-Selection).
2.0 e-Boxer
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 150 hp · 7.7 L/100 km · 174 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Mild hybrid 2.0 with 150 hp and 192 Nm, Lineartronic gearbox, introduced in 2020. WLTP fuel consumption announced at 7.7 L/100 km and 174 g/km of CO2 (Paris Match Belgique).
Market prices
€10,500 – €20,000
Indicative range: 2018 to 2021, 23,000 to 210,000 km, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Recall: ignition coil short circuit, risk of stalling
Manufacturer recallIn the United States, NHTSA campaign 21V264 concerns 2017-2019 Impreza models: the engine control unit may keep supplying the ignition coil after the engine has been switched off, creating a short circuit that can cause stalling and increase the risk of an accident. The remedy (engine control unit update and replacement of the coils) is free at the dealership. This is a US campaign: its application to cars sold in France is not confirmed by our sources.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.6i 114 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
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 | €194 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €80 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €153 |
| Total per month | €453 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- 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)€194
1.6i 114 ch version: combined consumption of 7.9 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
7.9 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €194
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€153
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Impreza V (GK / GT) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have a Subaru dealership check, using the serial number, that the ignition coil recall (2017-2019 models) has been carried out.
- CVT automatic gearbox: extended test drive, including when cold and on a slope, to detect jerks, vibrations or slipping.
- Check that there are no oil or fluid leaks around the gearbox (a technical bulletin concerns CVT gearbox seepage on the 2018 Impreza).
- Check for damp or mould in the cabin and on the mats, a possible sign of water ingress.
- Ask for the service book and invoices, especially for oil changes.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the ignition coil recall been carried out? Do you have proof?
- Has the car been serviced within the Subaru network, and has the gearbox had any work done?
- Is it an import? If so, what is its original history?
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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Corolla
XII · since 2019
- Price
- €18,000 – €29,900
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Hyundai i30
III · since 2017
- Price
- €11,400 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Octavia
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €17,700 – €30,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
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 V (GK / GT) (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 5 safe?
Yes: it earned five stars at Euro NCAP in 2017 (94% adults, 89% children, 82% pedestrians, 68% driver assistance), according to La Tribune Auto. The test was carried out on the XV, which is structurally identical.
What is the boot capacity of the Impreza 5?
About 385 litres according to Auto Express and Carbuyer. A German test of the e-Boxer gives 340 litres for the hybrid version because of the battery.
Is the Impreza 5 reliable?
Parkers rates reliability as very good but criticises the unexciting engines, the gearbox and fuel consumption. No source consulted documents a recurring fault specific to this generation, apart from the ignition coil recall.
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