Ever popular with teens and 20-somethings looking for something less polished and a little rough around the edges, the 5th-generation Impreza sedan and hatchback duo came out of their shells today looking, well, a little more polished. That’s not a bad thing, because the previous gen was (to some, anyway) an acquired taste. The new cars have grown up when it comes to exterior styling. They have softer, sweeping lines that look a little Acura-esque. Again, not saying that as a bad thing. While height has been dropped by about half an inch on the new sedan and hatchback, the cars are 1.6 inches longer than the outgoing models and 1.5 inches wider. One inch of that extra length comes from a longer wheelbase.
Styling, though, has typically been behind AWD capability and turbo-charged power (can’t wait for the WRX) on Subaru shoppers’ list of priorities. The modified 2.0L boxer engine received a 4-horsepower bump, bringing the grand total to 152. It’s assumed the 5-speed manual will carry over on base models, although it was not mentioned in Subaru’s press release, while a CVT with a 7-speed manual mode will be found on a majority of Imprezas sold in the U.S.
Four is not more
The previous gen’s five trim levels have been consolidated down to four: the 2.0i base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. The 2.0i base gets you a 60/40-split rear seat, multi-functon display with fuel economy information, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Premium adds Subaru’s STARLINK suite of safety and security features, 16-inch wheels, heated front seats, auto headlights, and roof rails on hatchback models. You also have more available options, such as a power moonroof and driver assist features. The Sport is an upgrade over the Premium and has an 8.0-inch touch screen, premium audio system, 18-inch wheels, torque vectoring, and unique exterior styling cues. The top-of-the-line Limited receives LED headlights and daytime running lamps, 17-inch wheels, leather interior, auto climate control, and, among other things, a “judicious use of exterior chrome trim”… oh my.
If red AWD sports cars are your thing, you might also want to check out the turbocharged Fusion V6 Sport in the video below.
