Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla HatchbackVS 2025 Subaru Impreza

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Impreza doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Corolla Hatchback has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Impreza and its not available on the Base.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

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

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 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Hatchback for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Impreza.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Hatchback’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The Corolla Hatchback’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (169 vs. 152) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is faster than the Subaru Impreza 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

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

The Corolla Hatchback stops shorter than the Impreza:

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Corolla Hatchback 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.

The Corolla Hatchback XSE handles at .85 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corolla Hatchback XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Impreza RS (26.9 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Corolla Hatchback is 4.2 inches shorter than the Impreza, making the Corolla Hatchback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The power windows standard on both the Corolla Hatchback and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla Hatchback is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Corolla Hatchback’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Impreza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Hatchback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard Smart Key System that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Impreza Sport/RS offers Keyless Entry and Start.

The Corolla Hatchback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Impreza and aren’t offered on the Impreza Base.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Impreza offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Hatchback XSE has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Impreza doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Impreza.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Subaru Impreza isn’t available as a sedan or wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Corolla Hatchback and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Subaru Impreza by almost 8 to one during 2024.