Honda Civic vs Subaru Impreza
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 8 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$45,350est. RRP
- with the Subaru Impreza's standard kit: $45,350 (nothing to add)
$36,490RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Honda Civic & Subaru Impreza
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Honda Civic starts from $45,350 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only) before on-road costs, while the Subaru Impreza opens at $36,490. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $49,900 for the Honda Civic and $37,672 for the Subaru Impreza.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Civic by roughly $4,705 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the Honda Civic and 83% for the Subaru Impreza.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Honda Civic, against 1 on the Subaru Impreza.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking. Airbag count is 6 in the Honda Civic and 9 in the Subaru Impreza.
Recalls on our record
Honda Civic
- REC-006727 · published 23 Sep 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the left-side seatback frame edge on the driver and passenger seats may not meet the minimum radius requirements of the Australian Design Rule (ADR) 3/04 - Seats and Seat Anchorages.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2025
- REC-006151 · published 7 Nov 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the high-pressure fuel pump solenoid valve may develop cracks.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006150 · published 7 Nov 2024The worm wheel grease may be displaced over time.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2024
- 5 more on the model page.
Subaru Impreza
- REC-001603 · published 2 Jun 2021Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit which may blow the ignition coil fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2020
- REC-001222 · published 4 Nov 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- REC-001223 · published 1 Nov 2019Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit and blowing the fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- 6 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Honda Civic features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Impreza gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The Honda Civic stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Impreza. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Honda Civic gets leather upholstery while the Subaru Impreza offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Honda Civic uses a Hybrid producing 135kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza responds with a Petrol I4 Boxer making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Honda Civic has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda Civic measures 4,560mm long on a 2,733mm wheelbase, 70mm longer than the Subaru Impreza at 4,490mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Civic generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 410L in the Honda Civic and 291L in the Subaru Impreza, giving the Honda Civic a 119L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,197/year for the Honda Civic and $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza. That is a $941 annual difference in favour of the Honda Civic.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Civic) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Honda Civic) / 5yr (Subaru Impreza).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Civic if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (79 vs 63). The Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Honda Civic will save you roughly $941 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda Civic has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest at $36,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Civic by $8,860.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Civic uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Civic has the largest boot at 410L with the seats up (1,187L with the seats folded).
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda Civic makes the most power at 135kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
