Compare the2023 Honda CivicVS 2023 Subaru Impreza

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda Civic have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Subaru Impreza doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Honda Civic has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Impreza’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Civic Touring/Sport Touring has standard parking sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Impreza doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Civic and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Civic is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Civic	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	39%
Neck Stress	241 lbs.	247 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	50 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	189/372 lbs.	237/379 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Civic is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Civic	Impreza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	286 lbs.	293 lbs.
Hip Force	286 lbs.	400 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	268	363
Hip Force	516 lbs.	715 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	805 lbs.	824 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda Civic Sedan is much safer than the Impreza Sedan:

	Civic	Impreza
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	205	245
Head Peak Forces	no contact	55 G’s
Neck Tension	268 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.26 in	1.89 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.85 in	2.01 in
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	162	231
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.89 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.61 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	825 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Civic the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Impreza last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Civic for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Impreza.

There are over 68 percent more Honda dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Civic’s reliability 12 points higher than the Impreza.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Honda higher than Subaru.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 2 places higher in reliability than Subaru.

Engine

The Civic Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (158 vs. 152) than the Impreza’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Civic EX/EX-L/Touring’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (180 vs. 152) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Civic EX/EX-L/Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Subaru Impreza (manual transmissions tested):

	Civic	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	9.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.9 MPH	81.4 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Civic is faster than the Subaru Impreza (automatics tested):

	Civic Sport	Civic EX/EX-L/Touring	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	9.2 sec	7.4 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	17 sec	15.7 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.5 MPH	91.4 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Sedan gets better mileage than the Impreza Sedan:

			MPG
Civic Sedan
	Auto	EX 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	33 city/42 hwy
		Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	31 city/38 hwy
		2.0 4-cyl.	30 city/37 hwy
Impreza Sedan
	Manual	2.0 DOHC flat-4	23 city/31 hwy
	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/36 hwy
		Sport 2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/36 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Hatchback gets better mileage than the Impreza Sedan:

			MPG
Civic Hatchback
	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/37 hwy
		2.0 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	EX-L 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	31 city/39 hwy
		Sport Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	30 city/37 hwy
		2.0 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
Impreza Sedan
	Manual	2.0 DOHC flat-4	23 city/31 hwy
	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/36 hwy
		Sport 2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/36 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Civic’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Impreza doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Civic has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Impreza doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Honda Civic comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Impreza.

A six-speed manual is available on the Honda Civic, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a five-speed manual is available for the Impreza.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Civic’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Impreza:

	Civic	Impreza
Front Rotors	11.1 inches	10.9 inches

The Civic stops much shorter than the Impreza:

	Civic	Impreza
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Civic has larger standard tires than the Impreza (215/50R17 vs. 205/55R16). The Civic Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18).

The Civic EX/EX-L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Impreza’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Civic EX/EX-L has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Impreza.

Suspension and Handling

The Civic has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Civic flat and controlled during cornering. The Impreza base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Civic has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Civic’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Impreza (107.7 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Civic Touring Sedan handles at .88 G’s, while the Impreza 2.0i Premium Sedan pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Civic Touring Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Impreza 2.0i Premium Sedan (26.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Chassis

The Civic Sedan is 3.1 inches shorter than the Impreza Sedan, making the Civic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Civic Sedan has .3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Impreza Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Civic Sedan has a much larger trunk than the Impreza Sedan (14.8 vs. 12.3 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Civic’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Impreza has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

On a hot day the Civic’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Civic’s driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Civic EX/EX-L’s standard wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers and the Civic Touring/Sport Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Civic’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Impreza’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Civic’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Impreza’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Civic’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Impreza’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The Civic has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Impreza has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/Sport/Limited.

The Civic EX/EX-L/Touring/Sport Touring’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Impreza doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Civic Touring/Sport Touring has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Impreza doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Civic and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Civic as the 2022 North American Car of the Year. The Impreza has never been chosen.

The Honda Civic outsold the Subaru Impreza by over four to one during 2022.

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