Subaru Impreza 2017 Review

Subaru Impreza
International Launch Review
Izu, Japan

Subaru has this week revealed its fifth-generation Impreza, a model it says is 95 per cent all-new. Underpinned by the Japanese manufacturer’s first new global platform in 27 years, the small hatch and sedan range also scores direct injection, a revised continuously variable transmission and a suite of updated infotainment and safety technology. Slightly larger than the outgoing model, the new Impreza is set to go on sale Down Under from December. Local pricing and specification will be advised closer to the model’s launch, the current Impreza retailing from $21,400 (plus on-road costs).

As the traditional passenger car market continues its decline – owing largely to the rise in popularity of SUVs – it’s the small car segment that bucks the trend. As the largest passenger car segment in Australia, the arena in which Subaru’s new Impreza will play is one predominantly ruled by the Hyundai i30, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla.

To help it keep step, Subaru has this week launched its rival in the small car skirmish, the new Impreza. Riding on an all-new platform the model introduces direct-injection engine technology, a heavily revised continuously variable transmission (CVT) and updated infotainment and safety technology not previously offered in the Japanese manufacturer’s line-up.

Set to appear in local showrooms from December, pricing and specification detail for the new Impreza is still a ways from being revealed, though we do know the fundamentals as well as how the model performs on-road.

Impreza is the first model to feature the manufacturer’s modular platform. Dubbed Subaru Global Platform, the lighter, more rigid chassis architecture is the first all-new global platform for Subaru since 1989, and will underpin every new model in the range for the next 10 years, right up to its US-only seven-seat SUV.

The chassis is said to deliver better suspension tuneability – a point aided by the inclusion of Active Torque Vectoring on high-grade variants – while also reducing body vibrations and improving crash safety. It’s especially stronger through the firewall and A-pillar and, thanks to a mixture of steel tensile strengths in key locations, provides a lower centre of gravity (down by 5mm) to further improve handling.

Dimensionally, the Impreza is very close to the outgoing model. The wheelbase grows 25mm to 2670mm while the body grows in length by 46mm (to 4631mm). Mirror-to-mirror measurements are unchanged, but the Impreza is 39mm wider at the B-pillar, and 10mm shorter in roof height.

Subaru has carried over its FB20-series horizontally opposed 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the Impreza, but importantly modified the unit to reduce weight and eliminate vibration. Bore and stoke measurements are unchanged, as is the 196Nm (at 4000rpm) of torque on offer. Power rises 5kW to 115kW (at 6000rpm) thanks to the introduction of direct injection, the fuel management system also improving throttle response at lower engine speeds.

To reduce emissions and improve ‘real-world fuel economy’, Subaru has introduced exhaust gas recirculation technology and a faster-acting idle-stop system, and upped the engine’s compression ratio. CO2 emissions fall 1g to 148g/km. Fuel consumption figures will be announced closer to the model’s local launch.

The engine will be matched exclusively to Subaru’s revised Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, the manual transmission phased out owing to a lack of demand (less than seven per cent, says Subaru). The unit features a short-pitch connecting chain, and a smaller torque converter and drive plate said to reduce weight and inertia (-6.8 and -58.0 per cent respectively). A new welded-type front differential saves another kilogram from the package, the new transmission said to offer greater ratio coverage and a reduction in noise.

All model variants include Subaru’s SI drive, and all grades feature Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and uprated brakes. The transmission is stepped through seven ‘speeds’ when Sport mode is selected. Top-spec models score steering-wheel paddle shifts.

Depending on grade the Impreza will ride on 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels, Australian models offered with a space-saver spare.

Although it might look familiar, the Impreza’s body is completely new, and more aerodynamic than ever before (0.278Cd). New underbody panels reduce turbulence and noise beneath the floor, while increased sound deadening material hushes tyre roar. The aforementioned increase in body width improves shoulder-room inside the cabin (+29mm), while rear-seat legroom grows as well (+26mm). Unfortunately, the Impreza’s lower roofline (-10mm) seems to have impacted rear-seat headroom and there are no console-back ventilation outlets.

Boot space grows to 465 litres (+5L), the cargo area’s aperture increasing 100mm to better facilitate the loading of larger items, such as prams and golf bags.

Cabin refinement is increased, the new-look cabin featuring higher-grade materials throughout, and additional soft-touch surfaces. New technology items include an electronic park brake, an improved HVAC unit and soft-close power windows.

An upgraded Starlink infotainment array will grace the dashboard’s centre stack, offered in 6.5 and 8.0-inch sizes depending on model grade. Both units will offer improved voice recognitions and access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity services. High-grade variants will include proprietary satellite navigation by TomTom.

Safety technology is also upgraded, Subaru’s EyeSight collision-avoidance technology adding Vision Assist features on the high-grade model, with improved hazard avoidance technology and rear vehicle detection also joining the fold.

The technology goes some way to providing a base for additional autonomous driving features in future models, but for now offers adaptive cruise control, forward pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, dynamic headlights, auto high-beam, tyre-pressure monitoring and auto reverse braking. ‘Konoji’ LED daytime running lamps are also offered.

Driving the Impreza at the Cycle Sports Centre in Izu, Japan, gave us an opportunity to sample the dynamism of the new Subaru Global Platform. The chassis is clearly a generational step forward for Subaru, providing tenacious cornering grip and predictable handling. We found the cabin to be considerably quieter than before, the engine also more refined, with far less of the deep-toned pulsation usually associated with the Boxer (horizontally opposed) unit.

The smooth surface at Izu didn’t give us an indication of the Impreza’s ride comfort. With none of the potholes or ruts common to local roads, our impressions of bump absorption will need to wait until we sample the car on home soil.

We did, however, find the electrically assisted steering both feelsome and well assisted, and the response of the engine and transmission sufficiently energetic, excusing the occasional ‘hiccup’ from the transmission when coasting under brakes.

The Impreza offers power comparable to in-class competitors, though given the strengths of its chassis, we feel it could easily handle more – a shame, then, Subaru won’t offer its 126kW/235Nm 2.5-litre engine to compete against Mazda3 SP25 and the likes.

Subaru will continue to offer the Impreza with a three-year / unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance program. Service intervals are set at six months or 12,500km (whichever comes first). There is currently no capped-price servicing scheme offered.

Impreza’s march upstream is evident in this fifth generation model. The changes made are arguably long overdue, and should go a long way to addressing the division between Subaru’s slow-selling small car and its all-conquering rivals. Let’s just hope it can compete on price.

2017 Subaru Impreza pricing and specifications:
Price: TBA
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 115kW/196Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: TBA
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Hyundai i30  (from $21,450 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda3 (from $20,490 plus ORCs)
>> Toyota Corolla (from $20,190 plus ORCs)