2019 Subaru Impreza vs 2019 Toyota Corolla

Performance

Under the hood of the new Impreza sits a 2.0-liter, Boxer four-cylinder engine. It’s tuned to develop a satisfying 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the Toyota Corolla has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder produces 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. While the Toyota Corolla is enjoyable to drive, there’s no overlooking the Impreza’s stronger performance. Available with a new short-throw gear shifter, the Impreza Sport is especially entertaining to drive. A standard Symmetrical AWD system gives the Impreza yet another advantage over the Toyota Corolla, which is only offered with front-wheel drive. When traveling in bad weather, you’ll greatly the enhanced traction of the Subaru Impreza.

Interior and Features

Both of these compact sedans have the ability to comfortably accommodate up to five passengers. This is good news for the folks who need to haul around their family and friends. However, an extra 1.2 inches of legroom in the front makes the 2019 Subaru Impreza more suitable for taller drivers. Like the Impreza, the Corolla comes loaded with an attractive list of equipment. Nevertheless, there are certain features you’ll only find on the new Impreza. Subaru’s standard Starlink infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which make integrating your smartphone especially easy. You won’t find these mobile technologies on the Toyota Corolla. You also can’t get the Corolla with a premium audio system. Meanwhile, The 432-watt Harman Kardon audio system of the Subaru Impreza promises to impress music fans with its fine sound quality.

Safety

You can trust these two compact cars to prove excellent impact protection. They both received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. While the 2019 Toyota Corolla provides several helpful safety technologies, the 2019 Subaru Impreza offers some exclusive driving aids. Designed to detect unseen vehicles in the next lane, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is a feature not available on the new Corolla. You can also take advantage of the automatic reverse braking system of the Impreza. When backing up in busy areas, this innovative feature will give you an extra peace of mind. Available on the luxurious Impreza Limited, LED Steering Responsive Headlights greatly improve visibility on dark roads.

While the Toyota Corolla remains a solid compact sedan, it's a step behind the 2019 Subaru Impreza in some key areas. To obtain a real-world comparison of how the new Impreza stacks up to the competition, stop by your local Subaru dealer for a test drive.