Honda Civic vs Subaru Impreza

[T_Yamamoto]

I plan on purchasing a car before school starts back up for the Fall.

I've driven a 2006 Honda Civic Ex (with over 200,000 miles on it currently and it's slowly falling apart, IE: passenger side sun visor won't stay up anymore, other cosmetic things) for the past two years, but since my dad is having to start going back into the office to do his job, it's time for me to purchase a car.

I have around 20k in my bank account and should make some money over the summer.

I've looked and compared both; however I have not taken a test drive yet since I'm currently in Japan.

So here's the dilemma, do I get a 2016 Civic Ex or a 2016 Impreza (either Premium or Limited)

I'm only going to be driving the car mostly to school (about a 20 minute drive) and occasion road trips.

 

[XavierMace]

I haven't been in a recent Civic, but I'm never been terribly impressed with any of Subaru's interiors except on the very top end options. This is based off driving multiple 2014 and 2015 Subaru's. BRZ, Outback, and Forester.

 

[Demo24]

If you for some reason need the awd then the impreza makes sense, however it's going into its last model year and just isn't as competitive as everything else on the market. Top 2 seem to be the civic and Mazda 3.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

it's going into its last model year.

Ah, didn't know the Subaru cycle.

I guess I'm going to get the Honda Civic. I did see the 2017 Impreza photos and it looks nice, but I'm in a bit of a time crunch.

 

[tikiman]

I'd have to ask whether you had any interest in the hatchback impreza. Doesn't cost a ton more and has a fair amount more space.

I haven't driven a civic recently, but I am also in the market for a new car (as you might guess, leaning toward a hatch) and I am quite fond of the impreza.

As Demo24 says, Mazda3 is also quite nice. I drove one as a rental for a weekend. Nice, smooth driving car. Good steering. Only criticism was that the entertainment system was clunky.

 

[tsupersonic]

I'd go with the 2016 Civic, it was just refreshed. Looks are subjective, and some people hate the rear of the Civic (I don't mind it). I'd say the refresh makes it a class leader. The Civic has nice safety features (Honda Sensing), updated infotainment system (w/ Android Auto/Carplay), excellent mileage, and two engine choices (Naturally aspirated on LX/EX trims and a 1.5 L turbo on EX-T/EX-L/Touring trims).

Do get the Impreza if you want/need AWD. As mentioned above, the Mazda 3 is also a great option.

 

[SearchMaster]

I'm a fan of the new Civic so that would get my vote . Get the 1.5 turbo - quicker than the last gen Si and excellent gas mileage to boot. And chances are you'll get another 200K+ miles out of it.

 

[NutBucket]

Wow, 7 posts and no advice to buy a used car?

And FWIW, a 10 year old Civic shouldn't be falling apart. I honestly blame user error. It doesn't take much effort to keep a (quality) car looking and running like new.

 

[Kaido]

If you need AWD for snow driving, then go with the Subaru.

If you don't, the Civic just got refreshed (I personally like the look) & is pretty awesome. Up to 31/42 MPG. Available 1.5L turbo. Visually looks closer to an Accord than a Civic with the new redesign. Tons of cool techie features.

Both have great resale value & will last forever; you can't go wrong either way!

 

[Yuriman]

Buy a used car. The most depreciation happens in the first year or two.

 

[pauldun170]

Wow, 7 posts and no advice to buy a used car?

And FWIW, a 10 year old Civic shouldn't be falling apart. I honestly blame user error. It doesn't take much effort to keep a (quality) car looking and running like new.

FTW

passenger side sun visor won't stay up anymore, other cosmetic things

WTF?



Nothing like a kid living with mommy and daddy with no job dumping cash into an entry level appliance that will be under utilized and undesired by the time they realized the total amount of money they have paid for it over the course of ownership.

Who will be paying insurance on the vehicle?

Assuming that "Dad" is taking the car back, 10K total gets you a lightly used civic\Camry\corolla that will last you until you established in your career.
You could probably go even cheaper and still come out way ahead.

That leaves you with $$$ in the bank to pay for school loans, relocation when you get a job, apartment or home etc etc etc.

 

[deathBOB]

The new Civic drives really, really nicely. The ride quality is fantastic. The engine is stout, although it's a bit unrefined with the CVT at full throttle. Interior is nice and large. Trunk is huge. It makes up for the two preceding generations IMO.

I know the Impreza is a good car, but I highly doubt it's as good as the civic.

 

[NutBucket]

Impreza = Made in Japan so therefore wins

 

[pauldun170]

The new Civic drives really, really nicely. The ride quality is fantastic. The engine is stout, although it's a bit unrefined with the CVT at full throttle. Interior is nice and large. Trunk is huge. It makes up for the two preceding generations IMO.

I know the Impreza is a good car, but I highly doubt it's as good as the civic.

Assuming kid is going to buy a new car

Agree that the Civic is the better overall car.
Should have lower overall maintenance and should age a bit better.
If OP can get both cars for same price and rate, he should compare insurance cost between the two and consider if AWD is really required.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ah, didn't know the Subaru cycle.

I guess I'm going to get the Honda Civic. I did see the 2017 Impreza photos and it looks nice, but I'm in a bit of a time crunch.

It probably won't look as nice as the photos. Subaru has a habit of teasing with prototype drawings and models but then when the car is released BAM!!! It's a Toyota Corolla with a hood scoop.

 

[NutBucket]

IIRC they have released production model photos.

http://www.subaru.com/2017-impreza.html

 

[soulcougher73]

Ah, didn't know the Subaru cycle.

I guess I'm going to get the Honda Civic. I did see the 2017 Impreza photos and it looks nice, but I'm in a bit of a time crunch.

It's not a bad thing its on its last year. had many years to work out the bugs the 1st year of a model cycle may have.

 

[Kaido]

IIRC they have released production model photos.

http://www.subaru.com/2017-impreza.html

I like the wagon, but wow, did they rip off the Scion tC for the sedan styling or what

 

[Tormac]

I have had an Impreza hatchback since 2009. I am still occasionally stunned by the amount of snow and crap that car’s all-wheel drive that car will lug through.

Both the Impreza and the Honda will likely be good cars, but the Civic will get better gas mileage and have a nicer interior vs the Impreza which will claw its way through an amazing amount of bad weather.

To me it just depends on how much snow you get.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I like the wagon, but wow, did they rip off the Scion tC for the sedan styling or what

It's a Toyobaru? Or a Sciobaru?

 

[JeepinEd]

Last year, I purchased a new car for my son. We narrowed it to the Civic, Mazda 3, and Subaru Impreza.

After test driving all the cars, we decided to go with the Subaru (2016). Excellent safety features, decent looks, AWD, very spacious inside and not as common as the civic. The paddle shifters are fun to play with.

He's had it for 9 months, and so far, not a single problem with it (knock on wood).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Last year, I purchased a new car for my son. We narrowed it to the Civic, Mazda 3, and Subaru Impreza.

After test driving all the cars, we decided to go with the Subaru (2016). Excellent safety features, decent looks, AWD, very spacious inside and not as common as the civic. The paddle shifters are fun to play with.

He's had it for 9 months, and so far, not a single problem with it (knock on wood).

9 whole months?

 

[JeepinEd]

9 whole months?

If I could look into the future, I'd tell you how it's doing after 3 years, but since I cant.....

We had a Toyota that had to go in for service after less than 2 months and a friend's Lexus had a transmission failure after 4 months.

I'm just stating my personal experience up to this point.

 

[Jumpem]

Impreza without question. I would step up to the Crosstrek though.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Fit, impreza hatch, or wait for the civic hatch. I agree with others and would go used in your situation though.