The 2017 Subaru Impreza is as good as it looks

La Jolla, Calif. — Subaru has released its fifth generation of the popular compact since it first appeared in 1993.

According to Subaru officials, it is truly completely redesigned, with 95-percent of the car’s components being new. It’s even made in a new factory in Indiana.

The Impreza comes in both a Sedan and 5-Door, and this generation is bigger. This Impreza is 1.6-in. longer than the outgoing models, and 1.5 in. wider. Subaru says that’s to give existing owners more reason to stay customers. Small size was a significant complaint of theirs. According to Subaru officials, this should also help attract Millennial’s to the showroom and driver’s seat.

Both the Sedan and hatchback 5-Door gain 100 cu. ft. of passenger volume. Another feature of the new design that just makes sense is the hatchback’s rear opening is four to five inches wider than previously.

The 2017 Impreza is the first vehicle on Subaru’s new global platform, which will be the basis of all future Subaru cars. And the platform is designed to share multiple powertrains, such as a gasoline engine, a plug-in or even an electriconly vehicle.

A big factor with this new platform is improved safety, thanks to the much more rigid chassis. Despite being bigger, it is the same weight as the previous model. Sixty-seven percent of the chassis is highstrength steel, which helps lighten it as well. In the assembly, 23 feet of structural adhesive is used to not only join pieces, but add strength.

The result is, the unitized body structure is 70 percent more rigid. That rigidity also addsmore quietness to the vehicle as does the additional sound deadening material around the A-pillar and outside mirrors.

The Impreza looks entirely modern, but still is recognizable as both a Subaru and an Impreza. The design feature which defines its look is the much more raked A-Pillar and windshield.

The roofline’s profile is also more dramatic. From the side, stronger wheel arches create a very dynamic look: particularly when you add in the impact of the dramatic crease running along its length. The hexagonal grille and modern headlights add a low and wide appearance to the front.

The hatchback looks less like a hatchback than any five-door in recent memory. Although it is a five-door, the rear roofline gives it a decidedly “sedanish” look from the side.

The interior of the Impreza is also modernized, and the look and feel is more upscale. There is an openness to the cabin, in some ways caused by the additional rake of the windshield. This gives the impression of being farther away from the glass, increasing space.

More than that, there are plenty of upscale features available. For example, there are three audio systems available, including, a “premium” 432-watt Harman Kardon system, for the first time. Even the base model gets Apple Play and Android Auto.

What’s underneath the body is equally new and make the Impreza a better driver.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine is 80-percent new parts, although it’s the same size and still is a boxer engine. It’s also 26-lb. lighter and now has direct gasoline injection to produce 152-hp. and 145 lb.ft. of peak torque.

You can get this car with either a six-speedmanual or continuously variable automatic transmission. Inter- estingly Subaru says the brand sells more manual transmissions here than anymanufacture other than Ford — who naturally sell a lot more cars than Subaru.

And my suggestion is get the manual, although I haven’t yet driven it. The reason I say that is with the CVT, most drivers are going to feel like it is low on power. In higher trim levels, if you put the CVT in Sport model and it “pretends” it’s a seven-speed manual transmission. This increases the fun when going up, down and around.

Thanks to the strength of the structure, the double-wishbone independent andmulti-link rear suspension can include more aluminum. Also, the rear stabilizer bar is now mounted directly to the body, which helps reduce body roll by 50 percent. Between that and the reduction in unsprung weight — that which isn’t “above the suspension” means handling is definitely improved.

Safety is a strong consideration by the owners and intenders. In fact, it’s the most important brand value among owners, says Subaru. Subaru divides safety into four categories and says they’ve improved them all. Primary Safety is mostly about visibility for the driver, as well as drivers around them. So, its improvement is a function of a design which lets the driver see better.

Pre- Collision Safety includes processes to attempt to stop the car when a collision is inevitable. Passive Safety, is how strong the structural design makes the car to protect the people inside of it. Then there is Active Safety, which in- cludes the electronic driver’s aids, such as the third generation of Subaru’s Eye Sight, one of the best active safety features in the industry. EyeSight system includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking andLaneDeparture and SwayWarning.

This car is important for Subaru, and the U.S. is a seriously important market for the Impreza. Sales here are 54-percent of global Impreza sales. Who buys it is also important to the brand, as it is the product that will get buyers into the brand because of the relatively high percentage of young buyers.

Adding to that is Subaru has a 60-percent loyalty rate, perhaps one of the highest in the industry. While the bulk of buyers range from 20-to-40 years old, the 25-to-29-years-old buyers are the largest percentage of them.

Model lineup starts with the Base 2.0i, which accounts for about 20-percent of volume and starts at $18,395. If you want the CVT it adds $1000. The Impreza Premium is the volume model expected to be 49 percent of sales and it starts at $21,195. The Sport has an MSRP of $21,995, and the Limited begins at $24,095.

The Impresa’s primary competition in the compact segment are the Mazda3 and the Honda Civic. The vehicle is already on sale.

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