K4 vs Impreza
The K4 and the Impreza sit in the same compact car class, but Kia and Subaru don’t always agree on what matters most. Each one wins something important. For the K4 it’s fuel economy & range; for the Impreza it’s engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Impreza wins
- Fuel Economy & Range K4 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Impreza wins
- Engine & Performance0.0
- Fuel Economy & Range5.9
- Engine & Performance0.5
- Fuel Economy & Range4.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The K4 has better fuel economy
A modest but measurable lead goes to the K4: 34 mpg compared with 30 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The K4 has better highway fuel economy
A clear win for the K4: 40 mpg against 34 mpg. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
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The Impreza has 13 lb-ft more torque
The Impreza is slightly stronger on torque. The gap, 145 lb-ft versus 132 lb-ft, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The K4 has better city fuel economy
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the K4: 30 mpg against 27 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The Impreza has available all-wheel drive
Missing features are easy to overlook when you buy and hard to live without later. The K4 skips this one. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning.
Design & Size
By the manufacturer’s measurements, the Impreza is the more compact car, and the K4 the larger one.
Dimensions
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.8 in | 176.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.1 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 58.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in | 105.1 in |
Engine & Performance
Impreza leads
This area is close, with the Impreza just ahead of the K4. The Impreza takes this one with 13 lb-ft more torque. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the Impreza.
Torque
K4: 132 lb-ft Impreza: 145 lb-ft The Impreza’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
K4 leads
The K4 dominates the fuel economy & range section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. In its favor, the K4 has better fuel economy. The K4 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the K4 comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (combined)
K4: 34 mpg Impreza: 30 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
K4: 40 mpg Impreza: 34 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Both the K4 and the Impreza cover space & practicality equally well on paper. Either car will serve you equally well on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Impreza leads
A modest lead on off-road & towing belongs to the Impreza. On the Impreza, you get available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. So if off-road & towing tops your list, lean toward the Impreza.
AWD / 4WD available
K4: no Impreza: yes The Impreza offers all-wheel drive; the K4 doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L flat-4 |
| Total system output | 147 hp | 152 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 145 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | IVT (CVT) | CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 34 mpg (winner) | 30 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 mpg (winner) | 27 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 40 mpg (winner) | 34 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 20.4 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 55.3 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 5.10 in |
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in Biggest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Kia Drive Wise | Subaru EyeSight |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | K4 | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.8 in | 176.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.1 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 58.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in | 105.1 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the K4 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (34 mpg vs 30 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (40 mpg vs 34 mpg on the highway)
- you mostly drive in town (30 mpg vs 27 mpg in the city)
Choose the Impreza if…
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (145 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you want all-wheel drive available
- you want the more compact car
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the K4 or the Impreza?
It depends on your priorities: the K4 is stronger on fuel economy & range, while the Impreza leads on engine & performance.
Is the K4 bigger than the Impreza?
Size goes the other way: the K4 is larger (185.8 in), and the Impreza is the smaller option (176.2 × 70.1 × 58.1 in).
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on Kia’s K4 versus Subaru’s Impreza. Honestly, better fuel economy on the K4 does a lot of the persuading for me. Less flashy, but still real: the K4 brings better city fuel economy. The Impreza isn’t without merit: 13 lb-ft more torque is a real advantage.
Choose by what you’d use most: fuel economy & range leads to the K4, engine & performance leads to the Impreza.
My pick: the K4 for anyone focused on fuel economy & range, the Impreza for anyone focused on engine & performance.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.