SUBARU IMPREZA REAL IMPRESSIVE
Safety features round out solid car
Some buyers looking for all the bells and whistles may consider the 2017 Subaru Impreza Premium as bare bones, but this fivedoor ride has features where it counts.
With a 152 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine and a 7-speed lineatronic continuously variable transmission, the Impreza is fun to drive. It revs out nicely and skillfully maximizes the torque while transferring power to the 16inch wheels. The combination of the engine and transmission yields impressive fuel efficiency. The Impreza gets a whopping 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, for an average of 31 mpg, an incredible feat for an all-wheel-drive vehicle.
The steering is responsive and when coupled with the spirited engine, it makes for a very fun car to drive.
Equipped with Stablex suspension dampers and a rear suspension stabilizer bar, this Impreza handles the bumps in the road with ease.
The interior is fairly Spartan. The dash is straightforward and simple — there’s no satellite radio or navigation and no fancy climate controls. The seats are cloth, not leather. But it does have Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth,
keyless entry, heated seats, and a power moonroof.
The exterior is handsome but unembellished. Our test car featured a crystal black silica paint job and simple alloy wheels. It had contrasting chrome roof rails that followed the smooth curve of the roofline, which also sported a shark fin antenna.
It’s the safety features that impress on the Impreza. Adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure, sway warning, and even lane-keeping assistance.
It also features blind-spot detection and a rear crosstraffic alert, which helps keep you from making the wrong move.
The Impreza also features Starlink, which automatically puts you in touch with an operator to help if you’re in a crash.
If you’re more interested in safety features than luxury amenities and want a reliable all-weather car, the Subaru Impreza is worth serious consideration.