Subaru Impreza is, well, impressive
Updated sedan won’t disappoint fans.
Subaru has been the in-crowd’s secret for years.
Now it also makes several of the world’s best cars. It’s hard to keep that quiet. Get used to seeing more Subarus.
This is not without risk. Other brands have built a devoted audience around a unique personality only to lose sight of what made them special as they chased higher sales.
The Impreza compact sedan and hatchback were all-new for the 2017 model year. The 2018 model year brought a few safety features and a price increase that reflects the car’s status as a hit: Impreza sales are up 48.3% versus a year ago.
All-wheel-drive is standard on all models, a feature that makes the Impreza unique among mass-market compacts. Competition includes the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta.
The Impreza is roomy and comfortable. The passenger compartment is larger than any of the competitors. The front seat has plenty of storage for cups, smartphones and the like. The rear seat is accommodating. The trunk is smallest in the group but still practical.
The controls include a large touchscreen for smartphone and other functions. There are also conventional buttons and dials for frequently used features such as volume, tuning, fan and temperature. The controls are simple and easy to use.
The Impreza uses a new platform Subaru developed. The structure is stiff and light.
All Imprezas have a 2-liter, 4-cylinder horizontally opposed “boxer” engine that produces 152 horsepower. The boxer engine and CVT deliver satisfying performance despite only average power for the segment. The steering is responsive. The suspension manages bumps and keeps the car stable in quick maneuvers.
Subaru offers a wide range of safety features in an option package called EyeSight. You can equip an Impreza with adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, automatic high beam lights and lane-keeping assist, in addition to the features on my car. That package of features costs $2,150 on an Impreza
Sport.
The Impreza’s styling is simple and nearly unadorned. Large windows provide good visibility. A rectangular grille houses a Subaru badge and silver wings.
The sides have mild fender flares and subtle character lines running along the beltline and just above the door sills.
Expect flashier looks and more performance when Subaru adds a highpowered WRX sport model in 2019.
Prices start at $18,495 for a four-door sedan with a 5-speed manual transmission, excluding destination charges. Hatchbacks start at $18,995. Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission adds $1,000. The most expensive Impreza in the 2018 model line is a
$24,695 Limited hatchback with CVT. I tested a nicely equipped midlevel
2017 Impreza Sport sedan that stickered at $24,145. Even with all the options, from a sunroof to cross-traffic alert, that’s still a bargain. None of the other mass-market compacts offer all-wheel drive, and the Impreza’s other features compare well.
The Impreza brings the goodies that made Subaru a cult favorite to the mass market, at affordable prices. It should raise the ante for every other brand that wants to sell a compact car.