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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2020 chevrolet Colorado vs 2020 subaru Impreza

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2020 Chevrolet Colorado versus 2020 Subaru Impreza — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (4.0 versus 3.9) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2020 chevrolet Colorado

4.0/5
Reliability score
76 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$7,600 repair exposure
vs

2020 subaru Impreza

3.9/5
Reliability score
84 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$2,750 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado scores 4.0; the 2020 Subaru Impreza scores 3.9. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, know what you're getting into on powertrain and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2020 Subaru Impreza sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2020 Subaru Impreza? Watch the visibility and airbags. The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 2.8x higher on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2020 chevrolet Colorado
2020 subaru Impreza
visibility
No reports
53 reports
moderate · ~$350
powertrain
31 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
No reports
engine
9 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
No reports
brakes
5 reports
severe · ~$450
4 reports
moderate · ~$450
steering
8 reports
severe · ~$700
No reports
electrical
4 reports
severe · ~$850
3 reports
moderate · ~$850
airbags
No reports
3 reports
severe · ~$1,100

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado or the 2020 Subaru Impreza?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (4.0 vs 3.9). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?

Compared to the 2020 Subaru Impreza, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado sees more reported issues in powertrain and engine. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2020 Subaru Impreza?

Compared to the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, the 2020 Subaru Impreza has more complaints in visibility and airbags. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $7,600 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary auto-generated from the data and reviewed by ASE-certified contributors. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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