Subaru Impreza vs Hyundai Elantra GT

If you’re looking for a sensible, all-wheel drive car, there are plenty of crossovers out there. But if a sedan or hatchback is more to your liking, the all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza is one of your only choices.

It’s also a great car. But chances are that you already know that. After all, Subaru has one of the highest owner loyalty rates of any vehicle brand. If you’re buying an Impreza, it probably isn’t your first Subaru—and it likely won’t be your last.

While the Impreza isn’t as refined as it could be, it is affordable, safe, and practical. And that’s why we think it will please both longtime Subaru fans and new owners alike.

If you’re looking for a reliable car for daily transportation, a sedan may seem like the obvious choice. As you've probably noticed, the conventional four-door has been losing ground in recent years, supplanted by small crossover SUVs. However, if you’re looking for a third option as a daily driver, a hatchback could be the ideal route.

Hatchbacks provide more usable cargo space than sedans, but retain the sporty driving dynamics and fuel efficiency you lose with a crossover. Hatchbacks also cost less than your typical crossover SUV. A hatchback like the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT exists in that perfect sweet spot of enjoyability, affordability, and practicality.

Hyundai has done hatchbacks before, starting with many of its early entries in the North American market. More recently, Hyundai introduced the hip Veloster, as well as a hatchback version of the previous-generation Elantra, also called the Elantra GT.

But that Elantra GT felt more like an afterthought, born out of convenience and a need to expand the lineup. It didn’t feel fully developed and went largely unnoticed. But the new 2018 Elantra GT is a standout small car, and it's perfectly suited to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus hatch, and Subaru Impreza wagon.