You’ll be forgiven if you’ve completely forgotten that the Subaru Impreza is still on sale. In an era dominated by crossovers, Subaru’s compact hatch has largely faded into the background, and the latest generation, launched for the 2024 model year, didn’t help matters by dropping the sedan altogether.
Base Trim Engine
2L H-4 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
8-speed Lineartronic CVT
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
152 HP @6000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
145 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
27/34/30 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Infotainment & Features
8 /10
That left the Impreza as a hatchback-only proposition – admittedly a handsome one, but a niche choice nonetheless. However, a recent trademark filing found by CarBuzz could point to something new and exciting for the humble hatch.
A New Model Name For Subaru
A 2024 – 2025 Subaru Impreza parked on a cliffsideSubaru
Subaru has recently filed for trademark protection for the Impreza TX name, including applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and its counterpart in Canada. As always, it’s important not to read too much into a trademark filing. Automakers routinely protect names that never make it to production, and Subaru has yet to reveal any plans for an Impreza TX. Still, this isn’t a vague or generic trademark. It’s a model-specific designation attached to an existing vehicle, which increases the odds that Subaru intends to put it to use.
Subaru’s naming conventions may offer a clue as to what the new badge could represent. Historically, a “T” in a Subaru model designation has signified a turbocharged engine, while “X” has denoted all-wheel drive. The best-known example is the XT badge, which has appeared on higher-grade versions of models such as the Forester, Outback, and Legacy over the years.
Exactly what Subaru intends by reversing the letters in the new TX designation remains unclear. When contacted by CarBuzz, a spokesperson for Subaru of America said the company couldn’t provide any comment, but here’s hoping the new badge still points to turbocharged power finding its way under the Impreza’s hood.
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New Manual Hatch In The Works
Teaser For Three New Subaru Manual Cars Due In 2027 – June, 2026Subaru
The Impreza lineup in the United States is currently limited to Sport and RS trims. Both start below the $30,000 mark, come standard with Subaru’s continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive, and rely on naturally aspirated flat-four engines. The Sport uses a 2.0-liter boxer producing 152 horsepower, while the RS steps up to a 2.5-liter unit with 180 hp. Neither could be described as particularly fast, which leaves a clear opening in the range for a turbocharged model capable of taking the fight to the Mazda3 Turbo and other turbocharged hatchbacks.
The timing of the trademark filing is especially intriguing because it arrives just weeks after Subaru teased three new manual-equipped models. Two are expected to be fresh takes on the existing WRX sedan and BRZ sports car, while the third will be a hatchback. Discussing that vehicle, Subaru Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President Tetsuro Fujinuki described it as an “affordable base car” that would allow the company’s enthusiast-minded engineers to build something interesting while leveraging existing assets. That sparked speculation about the return of the WRX hatchback, but given Fujinuki’s emphasis on affordability, the Impreza hatch may be the more likely candidate.
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The track-only race car will compete in the Super Taikyu Series, and it runs on carbon-neutral, reduced-emissions gasoline.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Whether the Impreza TX ultimately reaches production or not, the trademark points to a Subaru that appears increasingly willing to have fun again. Like much of the industry, the automaker has tempered its EV ambitions and renewed its focus on internal-combustion performance, with several new manual-equipped models already in the pipeline. The Impreza has long served as an accessible gateway into Subaru enthusiasm, and the Impreza TX name hints that the company may be ready to reconnect with those roots.
Sources: US Patent And Trademark Office
