Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Subaru Impreza

small car / 4-door wagon

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2021 Subaru Impreza 4-door wagon
2020 Subaru Impreza shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Two driver-side small overlap frontal tests of the Impreza were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Subaru. Ratings are based on both tests and apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well (Institute test car shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (Institute test shown).

The driver's space was maintained well in both tests, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1704 VTN1701
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2 4
Footrest (cm) 4 7
Left toepan (cm) 3 4
Brake pedal (cm) 3 4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2 2
Upper dash (cm) 2 3
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1704 VTN1701
Head
HIC-15 78 261
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10 7
Maximum Nij 0.21 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9 1.1
Right 1.7 1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1 1
Right 1 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.62 0.64
Right 0.68 0.34
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.8 2.9
Right 4.0 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 60 66
Right 67 79

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1707
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 11
Right toepan (cm) 6
Center toepan (cm) 1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 4
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1707
Head
HIC-15 85
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.42
Right 0.59
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.3
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 38
Right 31

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1707
Head
HIC-15 70
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.36
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.1
Right 1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 51

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1627
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 8
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) -1
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1627
Head
HIC-15 143
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 22
Maximum Nij 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.4
Femur force - right (kN) 1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.43
Maximum tibia index - right 0.52
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 84
Right 50

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1626
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -16.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1626
Head HIC-15 273
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 41
Lateral force (kN) 1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 43
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.88
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.54
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.5
Combined force (kN) 3.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.2
L-M moment (Nm) 191
A-P moment (Nm) 47

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1626
Head HIC-15 189
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 33
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 25
Average deflection (mm) 21
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.15
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.24
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 1.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.7
L-M moment (Nm) 168
A-P moment (Nm) -41

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and contacted the window sill. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2232
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -7.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2232
Head
HIC-15 245
Peak gs at hard contact 55
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 48
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 51
Average deflection (mm) 47
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.45
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 1.15
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 5.0

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2232
Head
HIC-15 231
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 53
Lateral force (kN) 1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 43
Average deflection (mm) 40
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.81
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 1.20
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.7

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Impreza 4-door sedan (tested) and wagon versions and to the structurally similar 2018 and later Crosstrek wagon.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,058 lbs
Peak force15,167 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.96

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 26
Distance below top of head (mm) -4
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.2
Head contact time (ms) 56
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 329

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 2.0i Limited trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.0i Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 140.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 87.1 m 16.8%
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 71.6 m 27.7%
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 156.1 m
Straightaway left edge 145.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 85.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 86.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 74.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • Base trim
  • Premium trim
  • Sport trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the sharp right and both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Base trim
  • Premium trim
  • Sport trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 76.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 50.1 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 44.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 39.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 154.9 m
Straightaway left edge 138.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 60.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Package name

  • Optional (standard on all CVT-equipped vehicles)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-23 models of the following trim lines: Limited trim, Base trim equipped with CVT package, Premium trim, Sport trim equipped with CVT package

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 31 mph. A warning was issued 3.2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.0i Premium
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.0i Premium
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 90
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 83
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 83
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation