Compare the2025 Volvo V60VS 2025 Subaru Impreza

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The V60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Impreza doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the V60 and Impreza have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The V60 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Impreza’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The V60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Impreza doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The V60 has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The V60 has a standard 360° Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impreza only offers a rear monitor.

The V60 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the V60 has standard Cross Traffic Alert and Braking Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Impreza and its not available on the Base and the Impreza’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the V60 and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Volvo V60 weighs 1172 to 1328 pounds more than the Subaru Impreza. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo V60 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	V60	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	192	222
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	63 lbs.	99 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo V60 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	V60	Impreza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	194
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	271	291
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	59 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	490 lbs.	721 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The V60 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Impreza’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The V60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Impreza’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the V60 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Impreza.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the V60 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The Impreza’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the V60 has a standard 800-amp battery. The Impreza’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the V60 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the V60’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Impreza’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The V60’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 303 more horsepower (455 vs. 152) and 378 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The V60’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 273 more horsepower (455 vs. 182) and 345 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volvo V60 is faster than the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	V60	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10 sec	20.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.5 sec	8.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.5 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	89 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the V60 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Impreza:

			MPGe
V60
	AWD	T8 Polestar Engineered Electric Motor	74 city/73 hwy
Impreza
			MPG
	AWD	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the V60 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Impreza:

			MPG
V60
	AWD	2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	30 city/33 hwy
Impreza
	AWD	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy

The V60 T8 Polestar Engineered Extended Range can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The Impreza can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the V60’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Impreza doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The V60 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Impreza doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the V60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Impreza:

	V60	Impreza	Impreza Sport/RS
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	11.6 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.2 inches	11.2 inches

The V60 stops much shorter than the Impreza:

	V60	Impreza
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the V60 has larger tires than the Impreza (235/40R19 vs. 205/55R16). The V60’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/40R19 vs. 225/40R18).

The V60’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Impreza’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the V60 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Impreza. The Impreza’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The V60 has a standard set of manually adjustable shock absorbers. They allow the driver the manually set the shock absorbers to a stiff setting for amateur competitions and return them to lower levels for a comfortable ride on normal streets. This allows the driver to choose between a comfortable ride or excellent handling during competitions. The Impreza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The V60 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the V60’s wheelbase is 8 inches longer than on the Impreza (113.1 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the V60 is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Impreza.

The V60 Polestar Engineered handles at .90 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the V60 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Impreza (5.4 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the V60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The V60 has .2 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Impreza.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the V60. The Impreza doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the V60’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Impreza doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The V60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Impreza has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the V60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Impreza doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The V60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Impreza uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the V60, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Impreza doesn’t offer a memory system.

The V60 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the V60 and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the V60 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The V60’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Impreza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the V60 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The V60’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Entry and Start is only offered on the Impreza Sport/RS, and doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The V60’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the V60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Impreza doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The V60 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Impreza doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The V60’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Impreza and aren’t offered on the Impreza Base.

When the V60 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Impreza’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Volvo V60 and Subaru Impreza offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The V60 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Impreza’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The V60 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Impreza, and aren’t available on the Impreza Base. The V60 also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Impreza.

On extremely cold winter days, the V60’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the V60 and the Impreza offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the V60 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Impreza doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Volvo V60 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Impreza.

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