2021 Lexus IS vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

The 2021 Subaru Impreza had a more conservative design compared to its previous iterations, which featured large round headlights and box fender flares. The current generation, while not distinctly Subaru, was still considered a handsome design. Both the sedan and hatchback models sported sleek headlights and taillights, giving an impression of width, and a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides had some scalloping for visual flair, and the awkward wheel arch sheetmetal from the previous generation was toned down. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels.

The Impreza was built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy sedan, Outback wagon, and Forester and Ascent crossovers. This platform contributed to the overall refinement of the vehicle. Inside, the Impreza's design was typical of compact cars, with an infotainment touchscreen splitting the dashboard and various forms of plastic throughout. The Impreza Sport featured contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the top-tier Impreza Limited offered standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement with its athletic proportions and great stance. The design captured motion even when stationary, with an elegant distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline balanced between a coupe-like dome and a fastback, while a kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door visually shortened the greenhouse, making the cabin look more compact and sportier. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive look. The paint, chrome, and panel gaps were flawless, as expected from Lexus.

Inside, the IS had a tastefully simple dash with a center stack resembling a retro hi-fi rack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices, authentic lines, and high build quality. However, the analog clock felt outdated in the context of the modern design. The IS's interior was a blend of modern aesthetics and high-quality materials, though the clock seemed like an anachronism.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine design allowed for a lower center of gravity. Most models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on the base sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also featured specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the all-wheel-drive system.

The Impreza was a solid daily driver, offering a nice ride but lacking the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport's suspension tuning balanced ride quality and handling, while torque vectoring provided a neutral balance. However, the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was modest, making it less of a driver's car compared to the WRX.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a range of engines. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD featured a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, had the same V6 but tuned to 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD.

Test drives of the IS 350 RWD revealed a 54/46 front/rear balance and a weight of 3,748 pounds. The double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, along with electrically powered steering, provided a crisp, precise, and balanced driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the IS 350 AWD was rated at 19/26/22.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza hatchback and sedan offered reasonable legroom, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among compact sedans, but a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat helped accommodate longer items. The hatchback had 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, more than the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchbacks, but less than the Honda Civic hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space. All hatch trims except the base model had standard roof rails.

Higher trim levels of the Impreza included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available as an option on most trims.

The 2021 Lexus IS focused on a driver-centered form and function. The driver’s position was easily adjustable, paired with a comfortable, supportive seat. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS came with perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that mimicked leather without the added cost and care. NuLuxe was eco-friendly, lightweight, and easier to clean than premium leather.

The IS had ample storage space, including an open cubby at the bottom of the center stack, twin cupholders in the center console, large door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiated with front-seat occupants. The trunk offered 10.8 cubic feet of space, surprisingly deep in configuration, with a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. An option package for the Limited trim added TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display housed in a hood over the main touchscreen showed information like estimated range, though it seemed redundant given the small LCD display in the gauge cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large touchscreen icons and minimal menu digging for important functions.

The 2021 Lexus IS introduced a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote were included with free trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system with Quantum Logic surround was a recommended option, offering superb audio quality and even a CD player.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award, with the highest “Good” score in all crash tests. They missed the “Top Safety Pick+” award due to “Marginal” standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights received a “Good” score. The NHTSA gave both body styles a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights were available as options.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, enhanced lane-tracing assist, full-speed dynamic adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included vehicle dynamic integrated management, location-specific tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, LED headlamps, taillamps, and running lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.