Looking at Honda Civics and Subaru Impreza. Anybody have the impreza hatchback?

I would say the decision should be based on your needs. If u have large or odd shaped items that u would haul, I'd go hatchback.

Having a trunk can be limited for space depending on the car.

Also consider rear seat passengers. A hatchback does slope more in the roofline.

In my opinion, Honda Civic is a great car and is at the top for safety.

Test drive both & check for rear visability. Most have backup cameras anyway , but I'd try both.

Bet you'd be happy with either. Which are set up and equipped inside in the way you'd like the best. Are you a large or small person, it looks like a little more interior space with the Subaru - if you shop Costco, little more package space in the Honda.

I may not be the best one to respond on the smaller vehicles, I've driven a full sized SUV more than 30 years now (not the same one ;0)) and wouldn't give it up. Once past dependability and warranty, my deal breakers any more are heated seats and Sirius radio, need those or I'm not happy.

Here's a side by side Subaru vs Honda comparison of some of their features

Don't have either of those cars but do have a different Subaru and love it. It goes through almost anything. I don't remember the lines of the Impreza but if you don't regularly carry tall passengers in the back, I do like the convenience of the hatchback.

Both of my dds have Subaru Imprezas and love them. The only drawback is their rather low carriage; I'm not sure why they're made that way. They both have the hatchback so they can carry larger items when necessary.

The rear seats of many sedans can be folded down to add to the trunk's length (but not height). Contents of a trunk are not visible to passers-by.

It's easier to load and unload a hatchback. There's no trunk 'lip' to lift things over.

Don't have one, but would automatically go with hatchback over sedan... for the space and ease of loading/unloading stuff.

Do you think dog it is safe for a dog in the hatchback? I feel like she would be vulnerable back there but I see other people do it.

That's a tough question. How big is the dog? I know my German Shepherd wouldn't fit back there.

Not sure what year Honda you are interested in, but the 2017 is HOT!!

My dog is 44 lbs in winter (less exercise--too much Chrismas) and about 39 lbs in summer.

We have an impreza hatchback 2008 and it's been great for us. It can carry 4 passengers, but the back is great for groceries or hauling plants from the nursery, or when dh needs to fill the gas can for the tractors and all kinds of stuff. The rear seats fold down flat so you can get bigger stuff in there too. If you need something to carry stuff in besides people, I think it's the better option.

Annie--how does the cargo space compare to a regular trunk? THANKS.

It's larger in that the seat folds down flat so it gets much deeper than a standard trunk. And it's higher because you can load up to the ceiling inside. Moreover, it's easier to load and unload as the floor is about even with the door opening vs. a trunk where you have to lift things in and out. It has a cover if you want to keep what's underneath out of sight, but the cover is easily removed if you want to carry taller stuff.

Google 2017 subaru impreza cargo space and you'll see pictures of it.

Are you usually driving alone? If not I would force a friend to test drive the back seats. I prefer a hatch back, a dog kennel can usually fit better there. See Stephen King's biography for an example of why a dog must be secured in the car. (When I saw him speak he was at 16 surgeries and still not fully recovered...)

Yes. Locally I drive alone. To work. Errands. My commute to work is about 12 minutes. Occasionally I drive a friend to a work event or social event. Several times per year, I drive to see my folks (about a 6 hour drive) and I take the dog. I'm gonna take your word about securing the dog! I will ask a friend to come car shopping with me.

Subaru owners are among the most loyal in the car industry, but Honda sells better here. As a result, you can get more discount on a Subaru than you can on a Honda, altho Civic sales were really stung by the bad 2012 model.

Because the hatchback was just introduced, you might have a harder time getting anything substantial off the MSRP. Usually a model has to be out for a while before the dealers get a feel for how long or fast the models they have on stock, will be bought off the lot.

Hatchbacks are extremely practical. If Honda/Acura hadn't dropped the Integra hatchback I'd still own one. The Integra was a pumped-up Civic and the most fun to drive and own of any of the cars we've had over the last 40 yrs. It was unbelievable how much cargo that car would hold.

Because of the thick rear pillars that are integral to many cars' designs, be very sure you check how big the "blind spots" are when you take any car out for a text drive. Rear view cameras are becoming standard for a reason, unfortunately!

Both Subaru and Honda have excellent safety and reliability records. Frankly, I would pick one based on dealer service competence. We have used both dealer service depts and independents for our cars, and very few dealer service depts have been as competent as the independents we've used.

Because of that, if it were my decision I'd pick Subaru, because we know of an excellent dealer service dept. in a neighboring city, whereas every Honda owner we know (the rest of my entire family, and a number of friends, are Honda fanatics) absolutely loathe the various Honda service departments in their areas.

What do you think of a black interior when you have a dog? Bad idea, right?? I really like the Impreza but all the colors I like have a black interior. Yes, I know it's dumb but I drive a car for like 10 years so I have to like the color. Leather???

I drove a Subaru Outback for 11 years (the same one, 185,000 miles and still going strong) and loved it. Now I drive a Legacy sedan and love it too. I've never been in a Honda so I'm not sure how they compare. The Legacy gets very good mileage for a larger car.

Even without the dog, black interiors really show the dust.

Oh don't get me started on this. I had beige interior with my black dog & black interior with my white dog. I need to color coordinate better in the future because every white hair shows on this black carpeting.

Honda HRV anyone?????? What do you think of the style? http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v

Annegriet, my friend just bought one of the HRV's about 8 months ago and has been really happy with it.