Porsche and Subaru are the only automotive companies selling vehicles with horizontally opposed (boxer) engines in Australia.
We mention that upfront because the unique sound of the boxer engine at work is just one enjoyable aspect of the new Subaru Impreza sedan that makes it difficult to compare with segment rivals like the Mazda 3, Nissan Tiida and Toyota Corolla.
The other is of course Subaru’s acclaimed surefooted handling thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. – no segment rivals offer that feature.
Equally impressive is the Impreza’s five-star ANCAP crash safety rating. In fact every vehicle sold by Subaru in Australia now carries that five star rating.
Toss all that together and you begin to get a glimpse of why Subaru stands proudly apart from other Japanese imports – and has done for a number of years.
Outside, the Impreza is clearly evolutionary in its design cues; it’s modern, clean and looks good…but you are never in any doubt that this is anything other than the latest Subaru.
Car Showroom’s Lancer Evo-driving neighbour thought the Impreza’s styling was a little bland but the reality is this is not Subaru’s rally-conquering WRX model and the demographics of its market segment are clearly family buyers for whom edgy automotive styling is hardly a priority.
That said, the new Impreza is noticeably larger than its predecessor – 115mm longer overall (95 mm longer wheelbase) and 35mm higher. It is also 30kg heavier.
Climb inside there is a degree of comfortable familiarity. There’s the expected Subaru quality aura, the expected Subaru dashboard and user-friendly steering wheel/driving position and the expected nice Subaru seats plus the expected Subaru high quality look/feel for the trim materials and plastics. In Car Showroom’s opinion, these factors give the Impreza “Best In Class” honours for the interior.
Under the bonnet, that clever 2.0-litre boxer engine delivers 110kW of power and 196 Nm of torque.
Standard transmission is a five-speed manual and the optional four-speed automatic costs an additional $2,000.
Car Showroom delighted in the tractability of the Impreza in city, suburban and highway driving. Our week behind the wheel confirmed the real quality feel you get with Subaru vehicles – a feeling that must be reassuring for Subaru owners every time they climb behind the wheel.
We actually drove the Subaru Forester the week before the Impreza and with both vehicles you get the overriding impression that Subaru’s passion for engineering, persistence with the boxer engine design and all-wheel-drive plus its dedication to the demands of competing in the World Rally Championship actually contribute on the production line; that Subaru vehicles do carry that extra credibility and pedigree right into your garage at home.
The Impreza easily handled Melbourne’s unpredictable weather, was quiet and refined over uneven roads and – with all four wheels gripping firmly and a very driverfriendly electronic stability control system – it was not upset by flooded roads.
Our female drivers also found the Impreza easy to live with, comfortable and convenient – even with our junior team members (aged five and four) and their booster/child seat occupying the rear seat.
