Compare the2026 Acura IntegraVS 2026 Subaru Impreza

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

Safety

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The Acura Integra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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.

The Integra Automatic has standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard Low-Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S 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.

The Integra 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 Integra has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Impreza.

Both the Integra and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 Acura Integra is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Integra	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	19 lbs.	99 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	28.8%
Neck Stress	151 lbs.	158 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	265/107 lbs.	291/273 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Integra is safer than the Impreza:

	Integra	Impreza
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Acura Integra is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Integra	Impreza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	145	194
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	291
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	236	254
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	646 lbs.	721 lbs.

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

The Acura Integra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Impreza is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Integra comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Impreza’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the Integra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Impreza. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Impreza ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Impreza isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (200 vs. 152) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (200 vs. 180) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 140 more horsepower (320 vs. 180) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Subaru Impreza 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Integra	Impreza
Zero to 30 MPH	3.5 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Impreza:

			MPG
Integra
FWD	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
Impreza
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/33 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy

The Integra 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Integra Type S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Impreza:

	Integra Type S	Impreza
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.2 inches

The Integra stops much shorter than the Impreza:

	Integra	Impreza
70 to 0 MPH	145 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (265/30R19 vs. 225/40R18).

The Integra Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Impreza’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra Type S has standard 19-inch wheels. The Impreza’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Integra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Impreza doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Integra offers an optional 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.

Suspension and Handling

The Integra offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Impreza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra 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 Integra’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Impreza (107.7 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Integra is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Impreza.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Impreza RS (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Integra has .2 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Impreza.

Cargo Capacity

The Integra has a much larger trunk than the Impreza with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 20.4 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Impreza doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Impreza doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

On a hot day the Integra’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 Integra’s power window, power lock, power mirror 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 Integra’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Integra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru charges extra for heated mirrors on the Impreza.

When the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Impreza’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

Recommendations

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

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Impreza has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Impreza has never been chosen.

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