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From the outset, every Subaru that left the production line since 1987 has had all-wheel drive, an innovative idea then, and remains so today.
However, all-wheel drive is a feature that has filtered down and is available on more cars than ever. So, Subaru no longer corners the market; however, they hold a place at the head of the class.
For 2022, you can produce a Subaru Impreza as a sedan or a five-door hatchback for a low of around $22,000. A gas 2-liter boxer engine that produces 152 horsepower in its base form powers the Impreza.
It is connected to all four wheels through a CVT transmission or manual five-speed. The asymmetrical four-wheel-drive system is constantly active. This feature makes an Impreza surefooted in all driving conditions.
That horsepower rating, however, doesn’t translate to stellar performance. The Subaru Impreza will slowly slog from zero to 60 miles per hour in 9 seconds flat when equipped with a five-speed manual and 9.2 seconds with CVT.
Mileage, although not stellar, is adequate for a small five-passenger car, and the Impreza returns 28 city and 36 highway miles per gallon.
1. Fiat 500X
Fiat hasn’t built a classic sedan for some time. However, the Fiat 500X fits in the same price bracket as the Impreza, is a compact five-passenger vehicle, and has all-wheel-drive as a standard feature.
These features pit it firmly against the Subaru Impreza. Available in four trim levels, you can buy a Fiat 500X that will suit your personality and transportation needs.
The base price of a well-equipped Fiat 500X is comparable to a Subaru Impreza. The size of the Impreza 5-door and the Fiat are also similar. However, they part ways in how power is applied to all four wheels.
The Fiat 500X uses a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline gas-fueled four-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower and 210-pound feet of torque. The transmission is nine-speed, and the all-wheel-drive system engages automatically.
Although the Fiat lacks over half a liter of engine, it can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds. Seating five in relative comfort, the Fiat 500X will get 24 city and 30 highway miles per gallon, which is a bit shy of the Subaru’s highway mileage.
Nevertheless, a starting price of $24,590 makes it a contender with the Subaru as a suitable compact sedan.
2. Ford EcoSport S
The closest Ford comes to building a sedan the size of the Subaru Impreza is the Ford Eco Sport, which is another of the growing segment of crossover vehicles. With seating for five, the EcoSport S is closest in price to the Impreza of this particular model at $22,040.
The Ford EcoSport is powered by a gas, 2.0-liter, inline-four that produces 166 horsepower and 149-pound feet of torque. It can race from zero to 60 miles per hour in 10.4 seconds. The only slower car in the lineup is the Chevrolet Spark.
With passenger room for five, the EcoSport is as suitable a compact car as the Impreza, and standard all-wheel-drive means it is on the same footing.
However, the gas mileage of the EcoSport comes in at 23 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, which is a bit lower than the Impreza.
3. Honda Civic
The civic has been in production since 1972, which is longer than the Impreza. However, Honda has done a remarkable job keeping it fresh for over four decades.
Honda has built its reputation on dependability and quality of build, and the 2022 Civic is a result of that commitment. The Honda Civic LX is powered by a 2.0-liter, DOHC i-VTEC® four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower on regular fuel.
The zero to 60 time for the Honda Sedan is 7.4 seconds. On the other hand, the Honda Civic Type R hits that mark in 5.0 seconds flat, and 2022 should do better.
Seating five, the Honda Civic is similar to the Subaru Impreza, in size, power level, and options, at a base price of $22,350 for a base Civic LX. It gets 31 city/ 40 highway and 35 combined miles per gallon, keeping with the Impreza’s.
4. Honda Civic Sport
You can have a Honda Civic hatchback in your driveway for an entry-level price of about a thousand dollars less than the Subaru.
Powered by the same 158 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine, the Civic Hatchback is similar to the Subaru Hatchback; however, it has a higher base price than the Impreza Hatchback’s $18,795 entry cost.
The base price of the Civic LX is $23,350, a little higher than the Subaru. However, the price and gas mileage of the Honda Civic is attractive, and the Civic Hatchback LX gets 30 city/38 highway and 33 combined miles per gallon.
The Civic Hatchback LS and Sport get the smaller engine. However, the Honda Civic hatchback in Sport Touring trim gets a more powerful, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 180 horsepower. It also has a six-speed manual transmission as an option to add a little game to your drive.
5. Hyundai Accent
Another contender that goes nose to nose with the Subaru Impreza is the Hyundai Accent. Closing in on its 30th anniversary, the Accent has become a go-to car for those who need a small sedan that seats five passengers.
It is neither a big nor a powerful car. Still, it will get you from here to there at a reasonable entry-level price of $16,645 for the SE and $19,600 for the highest-level Limited model.
Powered by a petrol-fueled 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 120 horsepower and 113-pound feet of torque, the Accent uses a CVT transmission to get power to the wheels.
The zero to 60 time for this car is 8.5 seconds. Gas mileage is 33 city and 41 highway miles. The highest trim level is priced lower than the base Impreza.
However, it is almost as fast from zero to 60 miles per hour, even with a smaller engine, and gas mileage is slightly better.
6. Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a sleek little car, and the available manual transmission adds a little sport. With an entry-level price of $19,090, the Kia Forte fits solidly in the middle of the pack of five-seat, compact passenger sedans and hatchbacks.
Powered by a gas, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower, the base power of the Forte is very close to the Impreza.
It puts that power on the road with a CVT transmission, and gas mileage is 31 city/ 41 highway and 35 combined miles per gallon. The run-up to 60 from a dead stop is 8.2 seconds, the same as the Impreza.
The GT version of the Kia Forte uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder with an impressive 201 horsepower.
That tweak will take the Forte up from zero to 60 in 7.0 seconds flat, when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and is priced almost identically to an Impreza, at $24,490.
7. Mazda 3 Sedan
The Mazda 3 has aged well, as small sedans go. It and the base 2.0 sedan have an MRSP of $20,800, with varying packages that go up to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model, priced at $33,100 and has all-wheel drive, standard.
Not all Mazda 3 models are available with all-wheel drive, but some models are. The base power of the Mazda 3 is a gas 2.0-liter four that produces 155 horsepower. The optional power plant is a turbocharged 2.5 liter four, producing 227 horsepower.
The zero to 60 time for the 2.0 is 7.9 seconds. The 2.5 shaves a second from that time, bringing the time to 6.9 seconds. Fuel mileage for the base Mazda 3 sedan is 28 city and 36 highway miles per gallon.
8. Mazda 3 Hatchback
Comparably priced and equipped to the Mazda 3 sedan, the Mazda 3 hatchback transforms this small car’s luggage space. Since it goes to roof height, there is space for tall items and easier access than a car with a trunk.
The base price of the Mazda 3 hatchback is $22,750. It is similar to the Subaru Impreza in size and price; however, it has the Subaru Impreza hatchback beat for looks, in my opinion.
Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 186 horsepower in the 2.5S Hatchback configuration, the Mazda 3 hatch is offered in seven different trim levels. The highest level, the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, has a base price of $34,400.
However, it has 227 horsepower on tap and all-wheel drive. Fuel mileage is 26 city/ 34 highway and 29 miles per gallon combined. When equipped with the turbocharged, 2.5, however, mileage comes in at 23 city/ 31 highway and 26 miles per gallon combined.
In addition, the zero to 60 speed for the Mazda 2.5S hatchback is 8.1 seconds, and when equipped with the 2.5 turbo, it drops to 5.7 seconds.
9. Nissan Sentra
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The Nissan Sentra is another platform that has weathered time well. With a base price of $19,610, it is similar in price to the Impreza in that it is a compact five-passenger sedan.
However, its mileage is a little better and comes in at 29 city and 39 highway miles per gallon. The base engine is a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 149 horsepower and 146-pound feet of torque.
The Sentra, regrettably, is only available in front-wheel drive. The time from zero to 60 is 7.2 seconds for all four trim levels.
Of all the cars listed here, the SV Premium trim level of the Nissan Sentra is luxurious and stands out from the crowd.
10. Toyota Corolla Sedan
This small handful of compact sedans is almost the only one available for 2022. So, unless you want to spend 30 or 40 thousand dollars, there are a few compact sedans in that price range if you’re going to spend the money.
However, the Toyota Corolla has been around a long time, has gone through many makeovers, and stands up well to the competition. The 2022 Toyota Corolla is available in nine trim levels. They include the base Corolla SE, with an entry price of $22,625.
The highest level, the XSE Apex Edition, and a hybrid-powered Toyota Corolla, mid-pack, with a base price of $23,750, rounds up both ends and the middle of Corollas offered in 2022.
A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine powers the base model of the Corolla. It produces 139 horsepower and 123-pound feet of torque, and the power from the engine is connected to the road via a CVT transmission.
Fuel mileage for the gas-powered Corolla SE is 31 city/ 40 highway and 34 miles per gallon-combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 time for the Civic is 7.3 seconds. This time for the Civic is one of the best times of all the cars on this list.
11. Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Toyota has added two new variants to the Corolla lineup this year. It includes the Hatchback and the Corolla Cross. The Corolla hatchback is available in three trim levels and has an entry-level price of $20,915.
Power comes from a gas-fueled 2.0 liter, four-cylinder that produces 168 horsepower and 151-pound feet of torque. The added weight and horsepower decrease the fuel mileage of the sedans, and the Corolla Hatchback returns 30 city/ 38 and 33 combined highway miles per gallon.
In addition, the Corolla Hatchback, like the other cars here, is a five-seater. However, the hatchback makes access to the rear storage easier.
The zero to 60 time for the Toyota Corolla hatchback is 7.8 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual.
12. Volkswagen Jetta
Another of the fading compact sedans is the iconic Volkswagen Jetta. With a base price of $20,195, the five-passenger sedan is economically priced compared to a few other cars on the list.
Powered by a 1.5-liter gas-fueled four-cylinder, the Jetta gets fuel mileage of 31 city and 41 highway miles per gallon. Available in only one model, Volkswagen offers packages and add-ons that will make your Jetta individually yours.
The Jetta is not a fast car and its zero to 60 time is 6.0 seconds when equipped with the optional six-speed manual transmission.
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