REFRESHING UPDATE
Solid compact could benefit from more competition to push beyond its reliable reputation
For 2020, the Impreza has been “tastefully refreshed” — in Subaru’s words — with slightly updated looks and new features, including standard Eyesight (a suite of active driver-assist systems) on all models equipped with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT. And, yes, you can still get a five-speed manual on the Convenience, Touring and Sport trims.
With a starting price of $19,995, the Impreza remains the most affordable all-wheel-drive compact car on the market. But it’s not the only one in the compact segment; Mazda makes all-wheel drive a $1,700 option on its fourth-generation Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, which was new last year.
Like all Imprezas, this tester — a $27,895 four-door Sport with Eyesight — is powered by a 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder, an engine designed for efficiency and economy.
Its 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque are best described as workmanlike. For comparison, the Mazda3 AWD has a 2.5L in-line four that puts out a much stronger 186 hp and 186 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s not as though the Impreza is a slug; it just takes a little more time on the pedal to get to speed, about nine seconds to hit 100 km/h from standstill, with the typical boxer growl when under load.
For the 2020 model year there is a driver-selectable Si-drive engine-management system, including a Sport mode that opens the throttle quicker compared to the default Intelligent mode, resulting in a slightly more direct response to driver input. At a steady speed, though, the engine is impressively quiet, as is the whole cabin, with remarkably low wind or road noise.
In Intelligent Mode, Si-drive directs the throttle to open more gradually to maximize fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and deliver greater smoothness. The engine mapping also optimizes throttle and torque characteristics to maintain the most efficient settings. Subaru says this boosts fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent overall, and for vehicles equipped with the CVT, this mode automatically triggers the most fuel-efficient ratio. For what it’s worth, I averaged 9.0 L/100 km during my week with the tester, a good percentage of that on four-lane and secondary highways.
Not that the Impreza sedan is particularly heavy, tipping the scales at 1,450 kilograms, but it has a solid heft to it for which Subaru will no doubt credit the car’s advanced “ring-shaped” reinforcement frame. The car shakes off the deteriorated roads that come with winter, aided by a suspension that soaks up the bumps, heaves, and potholes without overly upsetting the tranquillity of the occupants.
Although there were no snow-covered roads to give the Subaru’s famed symmetrical full-time all-wheel-drive system a proper workout, there was significant rainfall one day on a drive back from ski country, and the Impreza displayed the sort of poise and confidence during the journey that the company counts on to sell its products.
When it comes to providing an interior environment, the Impreza shows the compromise that is the result of Subaru’s engineering-versus-design focus. It’s not as though there’s anything particularly deficient or lacking — other than a heated steering wheel — it’s just that the materials and layout throughout are functional, with little attempt to provide any real sense of occasion. Noteworthy, though, is good legroom and headroom up front, plus a reasonable amount of rear-seat legroom for taller passengers. With the front seat set for my six-foot-two frame, I could still sit behind myself, something the AWD Mazda3 four-door can’t claim.
Standard equipment across the Impreza model range includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, air conditioning, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, power-adjustable side mirrors and a 6.5inch touch-screen infotainment system. The Sport trim adds LED steering-responsive headlights, 17inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, aluminum pedals, an upgraded eight-inch touch screen and additional safety features such as rear/ side vehicle detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Forking over an extra $2,600 for Eyesight adds adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane-departure and sway warning, as well as lane-keep assist.
We have had a previous-generation Impreza hatchback as a family vehicle for the past five years. My wife, the principal driver, loves it. The model has earned its rep, from a safety standpoint — top ratings from both NHTSA and the IIHS in the U.S. — as well as reliability and user-friendliness. The thing is, not having much competition has made Subaru somewhat complacent with the Impreza. Right now, the only real rival to the Impreza is the Mazda3 AWD, which is a really solid alternative. If more automakers decide to revisit the compact-car segment with all-wheel drivetrains, Subaru might find it will take more than a well-cultivated reputation to stem the defections.