Subaru, like Mazda, used to be a niche Japanese automaker operating in America. But demand for its rugged, reliable mid-sized models has grown over the years, and the company is now looking to expand its influence over the compact segment.
For years, the Impreza has been a top pick from Consumer Reports, but not because it was filled with cutting edge technology. No, the compact had a high safety rating and an affordable base price.
The all-new sedan and hatch, now made in America, are the first car to be underpinned by a new modular platform to be used by all Subarus. Pretty soon, a seven-seat crossover will join the, so if the Impreza is good, so will that.
Engineers did a number of things with the architecture. They lowered the center of gravity, which should improve handling. They've also increased body rigidity, which should result in softer suspension and even better IIHS safety ratings.
The initial signs are encouraging, as Consumer Reports liked nearly everything about the sedan and 5-door. One obvious improvement is the interior. Old ones were austere. But the 2017 can be had with supple leather and available large center display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Exterior styling remains cautious, typically Subaru. But the upside is that outward visibility is excellent. All but the base trim level have EyeSight 3 with emergency braking and forward collision warning, but you do have to pay a little extra. If you've ever watched a CR video, you'll know they want that kind of stuff as standard.
The Impreza used to be noticeably cheaper than its main rivals, but this one is on par with most of them yet still cheaper than a VW Golf. Consumer Reports found that the standard AWD system doesn't impose penalties on fuel consumption.
The new model handles bumpy roads with ease. The cabin is also noticeably quieter than before, giving it a premium quality. The CVT gearbox is not a perfect automatic solution, but it's certainly not the worst in the industry.
Rivals like the Civic and Corolla will probably continue to outsell it for a while, but the 2017 Impreza might become one of the top 5 most popular compacts with increased profitability due to local production. More importantly, it predicts ab bright future for the company.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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