All-New Subaru Impreza – Wash, Rinse, repeat


Subaru has released its all-new Impreza, as if it is a gift, so I guess that makes it an Im-PRESSIE-a.

After that appalling attempt at infantile pun-isms (yes, a new word), we move to Subaru’s shiny new small family car. It might seem brave to bring out a new passenger car in a sector that is all but dead, but life without a little Scoob just isn’t worth living, or is it?

The looks and oily bits:

Subaru shoved the “proven” 115kw/196Nm flat 4 into a strangely familiar bo-dayyyyyy. The “proven” engine is code for one from the parts bin, the one they got the head and tail lights from. Clever to use bits you have already, it saves on inventing new ones.

Every Subaru, except the one developed with Toyota, has a CVT. That is, of course, unless you count the electric model also shared with Toyota (and Lexus), which has no gearbox, period. This CVT impersonates an 8-speed automatic, so why not just put in an 8-speed automatic? Although it is one of the best CVTs in the business, just, why?

Is it just my imagination, or does that bo-dayyyyy look vaguely like the last Holden Astra, a defunct model from a company which rode into the automotive sunset last decade?

The little dart shape slinks up to a pert rump, a cheeky look that matches perfectly, the scarpering chav who imagines he has stolen a WRX. That’s the thing about Subaru, it is a badge that basks happily in the glow of track and rally fame won by WRX and STI. WRX’s reputation as a butch, tattooed, cap-wearing hottie, casts that cred over a range of humble runabouts despite WRX being spun off as a separate model.

The gays in the village have a strange attraction to be-capped hotties, so have been fond of Subaru since the nameplate was in nappies. Impreza should also sufficiently impress, with its customary grip on quality and value, even if the look is so conservative that no amount of WRX branding would ever make butch.

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ABOVE: 2024 Subaru Impreza (and the Holden Astra)

Inside:

The cabin is replete with the latest Scoobalishus safety gear and infotainment system, and a tastily Japan-esque set of seats. Sure, the dash is pretty damned familiar, but it is one that has a bit of every current Subaru in it, and since we like that, we’ll like this too.

It looks comfy enough, and every Subaru wants to cajole its owner into the snowy wilderness of an adventure in deep winter Alpine country. I’d do it willingly, from the maternal cradle of Impreza’s bosom.

Sundry Stuff:

The AWD is symmetrical, which apparently matters, and the required petrol is the cheap 91ron stuff. To calculate the possible range, I divided the contents of its smallish 50L tank by 7.5, the number of litres per 100 kilometres. The answer is: 666.666667 kms. Good thing I’m not Catholic, or indeed religious of any other brand.

There is a rather sophisticated MacPhersons up front, and a gorgeous set of double wishbones at the rear. This Impreza might well be a suitable candidate for continental crossings in a single bound, or at least one divided into Damien-esque 666.666667km sections.

Ah well, if you want one, you have a choice of 3 imaginatively named levels: 2.0L, 2.0R, and 2.0S. The prices range from $31,490 for the pov pack. Although the press release didn’t reveal the cost involved in wrangling a range topper, but it has a Harman Kardon sound system secured therein.

We’ve seen all of this before, and we liked it. The all new Impreza will not set the world on fire, but it doesn’t have to.

EQUIPMENT BY MODEL GRADE

Impreza AWD 2.0L

Performance

  • 2.0-litre Boxer 4-cylinder petrol engine
  • New Lineartronic® CVT with 8-speed manual mode
  • Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
  • Auto Stop Start
  • Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) – two modes

Exterior

  • 17-inch alloy wheels (new design)
  • LED headlights with auto off (dusk-sensing)
  • Rear combination lights with LED brake lights
  • Door mirrors – power-folding with indicators
  • Rain-sensing front windscreen wipers

Interior

  • Tricot black cloth seat trim
  • Dual-zone, climate-control air-conditioning

Entertainment, Technology and Safety

  • Central information display with 11.6-inch touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity6
  • USB ports – USB-A and USB-C connection + auxiliary jack
  • Wireless Qi charger6
  • 6-speaker audio
  • 9 SRS airbags including far side airbag4.
  • EyeSight® Driver Assist system featuring:
    • Adaptive Cruise Control
    • Emergency Lane Keep Assist
    • Lane Centring Function
    • Lane Departure Prevention
    • Lane Departure Warning
    • Lane Sway Warning
    • Lead Vehicle Start Alert
    • Pre-Collision Braking System
    • Pre-Collision Throttle Management
    • Autonomous Emergency Steering
    • Brake Light Recognition
    • Intelligent Speed Limiter
    • Speed Limiter
    • Speed Sign Recognition
    • Wide-angle Monocular Camera
  • Subaru Vision Assist featuring:
    • Blind Sport Monitor (BSM)
    • EyeSight® Assist Monitor
    • Lane Change Assist (LCA)
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
    • Front Side Radar
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
  • Driver Monitoring System – Driver Focus3 featuring:
    • Distraction warning
    • Drowsiness warning
    • Facial recognition
    • Climate control setting (last used)
    • MID display (last used)

Impreza AWD 2.0R adds:

Exterior

  • 18-inch alloy wheels (new design)
  • Front and rear wipers with front de-icer
  • Self-levelling and steering responsive headlights (SRH)
  • Front cornering lamps
  • Door mirrors – heated
  • Front LED fog lights

Interior

  • Premium cloth seat trim
  • Leather steering wheel and gear shift
  • Aluminium sports pedals
  • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
  • Heated seats – driver and front passenger
  • 8-way power seat with lumbar support – driver
  • Shift boot

Entertainment, Technology and Safety

  • Rear passenger USB-A and USB-C charging ports
  • Subaru Vision Assist:
    • Front View Monitor (FVM)
    • High Beam Assist (HBA)
    • Panoramic 360 Degree View Monitor
    • Side View Monitor (SVM)

Impreza AWD 2.0S adds:

Exterior

  • Electric sunroof

Interior

  • Leather accented seat trim

Entertainment, Technology and Safety

  • Satellite navigation
  • 10 speaker audio system with Harman Kardon® amplifier7

ALL-NEW SUBARU IMPREZA MANUFACTURER’S LIST PRICE1

Impreza AWD 2.0L$31,490
Impreza AWD 2.0R$34,990
Impreza AWD 2.0S$37,990

WARRANTY: Five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty period, 12-months complimentary Subaru Roadside Assistance.

ALL-NEW SUBARU IMPREZA ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
TypeHorizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder, petrol engine
Cylinders Displacement Bore x stroke Compression ratio Valve mechanism Fuel system Maximum power Maximum torqueFour 1995 cc 84 x 90 mm 12.5:1 DOHC with Dual AVCS Direct Injection 115kW @6000rpm 196Nm @ 4000rpm Euro 6b
Emissions
TRANSMISSION – LINEARTRONIC CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
D range4.066 – 0.503
First4.066
Second2.628
Third1.911
Fourth1.535
Fifth1.195
Sixth0.914
Seventh0.717
Eighth0.559
Reverse Final reduction4.379 3.700
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Overall length mm4490
Overall width mm1780
Overall height mm1480
Wheelbase mm2670
Track – front mm1540
Track – rear mm1545
Min. ground clearance at kerb weight mm *130
Kerb weight kg**1456 (AWD 2.0L) 1475 (AWD 2.0R) 1498 (AWD 2.0S)
FUEL
Fuel consumption (L/100km) combined:7.5
Carbon dioxide (g/km) combined:170
Fuel tank capacity (litres)50
Minimum fuel requirement91 RON
STEERING, BRAKES & TYRES
SteeringElectric power assistance rack and pinion
Turning circle (metres)10.6
Suspension: Front RearMacPherson strut type suspension Double-wishbone type suspension
Brakes: Front RearVentilated disc brake Ventilated disc brake
Tyres205/50R17 89V (AWD 2.0L) 225/40R18 92W (AWD 2.0R and AWD 2.0S)
Rims17x7J (AWD 2.0L) 18×7.5J (AWD 2.0R and AWD 2.0S)
Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.


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