Which car to choose between the Subaru Impreza and the Honda Civic?

I am retired and drive about 9,000 kilometers a year on secondary roads in the Orford region of the Eastern Townships. I keep my cars for a very long time.

I am looking at the Honda Civic and the Subaru Impreza. I don't have a big budget and I am looking for a comfortable car that is well soundproofed, rust-resistant, and inexpensive to maintain. I would also like to test drive the car before buying it. Do you have a list of things to consider during the test drive? And what is your opinion of these two vehicles?

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Hello Jean,

Both cars are good choices, and whichever one you choose, you won't be making a bad decision. In their most affordable versions, these two compact cars are powered by 2-liter 4-cylinder engines with similar horsepower (150 hp for Honda, 152 hp for Subaru). That said, it's worth noting that all versions of the Impreza come with all-wheel drive, which is safer in winter, and a very practical hatchback for loading bulky items.

The Civic, on the other hand, retains front-wheel drive but is available as a sedan or hatchback. You can even opt for a hybrid version (non-rechargeable) that limits fuel consumption to around 5 L/100 km. That said, since your annual mileage is low and the reliability of this engine has not yet been proven beyond a doubt, you may want to opt for the base gasoline engine.

When it comes to driving, we found the Civic more inviting to drive than the Impreza. If driving pleasure is important to you, this could tip the scales in favor of the Honda. Finally, with two-wheel drive instead of four, the Civic consumes less fuel on average (6.7 L/100 km compared to 8 L/100 km for the Subaru).

If your budget is limited, you might want to look at the base models in each lineup. These are the Honda Civic LX sedan, priced at $31,193 (including shipping and preparation) at the time of writing, and the Subaru Impreza Convenience, priced at $29,959. The Impreza is more affordable, especially since Honda does not offer a Civic LX hatchback. To get one, you have to upgrade to the Sport trim, which is significantly more expensive ($35,553).

However, according to our forecasts, the resale value of the Civic should be higher in the coming years, which means that the extra money spent could be recouped when you sell it.

As for test driving each vehicle, there is no mechanical check to be done on a new car, especially since it comes with a multi-year warranty. However, we recommend that you pay attention to several important factors.

First, make sure that you are comfortable in the vehicle, that the seats are to your liking, and that the adjustments allow you to find a suitable driving position. Also take a close look at the various controls on the dashboard and browse through the multimedia system menus to see if you have a preference for one or the other.

You mentioned that you are retired. If you ever need to install rear car seats for your grandchildren, open the rear doors to assess their maximum opening and bring a seat with you to see if you can easily secure it. Finally, the trunk opening is also something to consider. If you often transport large items, measure them or bring them with you to see if they fit properly.

Once on the road, see which car you feel most comfortable with and which engine and transmission you prefer. After completing both test drives, don't rush into signing the contract. It's usually best to give yourself some time to think before making a decision.