2021 Subaru Impreza Review: Hatch 2.0iS
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- Verdict
Subaru is now known as an SUV brand that doesn't actually make SUVs.
The station wagon and lift hatchback range is a successful evolution of the once popular sedans and hatchbacks, including the Impreza.
Now the Liberty midsize sedan has come to the end of its long run in Australia, the Impreza hatchback and sedan represent a small slice of Subaru's past. The range has been updated for the 2021 model, so we're about to find out if the legendary Impreza badge should draw you away from more popular competitors.
We took the top 2.0iS for a week to find out.
hatchback and sedan Impreza represent a piece of Subaru's past.
| 2021 Subaru Impreza: 2.0iS (XNUMXWD) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0L |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 7.2l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $23,200 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
Our top-spec 2.0iS hatchback costs $31,490. You'll notice that it's well below many of its competitors and, in particular, well below the equivalent XV ($37,290K), which is just a raised version of this car.
Traditional top class competitors include the Toyota Corolla ZR ($32,695), Honda Civic VTi-LX ($36,600), and Mazda 3 G25 Astina ($38,790). Kia Cerato GT ($30K) to compete.
You'll notice that all of these rivals are, of course, front-wheel-drive, giving the all-wheel-drive Subaru a slight advantage from the get-go, although, unlike some of its rivals, even this top-end spec misses out on a more powerful engine. engine.
Equipped with 8.0 inch multimedia touch screen.
Equipment levels across the board are good in the Impreza, although it lacks some of the more modern tech bits that feature prominently in the competition.
Our top-end 2.0iS comes standard with this year's new 18-inch alloy wheels, 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, DAB radio, CD player, 4.2-inch multi-information display, 6.3 XNUMX-inch multi-function display, dual-zone climate control, push-button ignition with keyless entry, full LED ambient lighting, leather-trimmed seats with heated front seats and eight-way power. adjustable driver's seat.
While this Subaru may already have too many screens, the high-end car lacks the all-digital instrument cluster or head-up display that many of its competitors now have. There's also no truly premium audio system, so you're stuck with Subaru's tinny system, and a power passenger seat would be nice too.
That said, it's a significant discount over the equivalent XV and undercuts many of the competition, so it's not bad at all in terms of value.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
Subaru is being very wary of the latest Impreza update, with a slightly redesigned grille, new alloy wheel designs and, well, that's about it.
For a hatchback, the XV is already safe and harmless, with some edgy lines on the sides but otherwise sticking to the brand's chunky and boxy side and rear profiles. It's made to please people who find the Mazda3 too extreme or the Honda Civic too sci-fi.
Subaru is being very wary of the latest Impreza update.
If anything, it's hard to distinguish this top spec from the rest of the range, only larger alloys offer more benefits.
Inside, the Impreza is pleasant, with a branded steering wheel, an abundance of displays and comfortable seat upholstery. As with the XV, Subaru's design language really takes its own path, away from the competition.
The steering wheel is a great touch point and everything is really adjustable, with plenty of room even for big adults. Soft trim extends from the center console through the dashboard to the doors, making the Impreza's cabin relatively inviting and comfortable. All but the lowest spec receive similar internal processing, indicating value within the range.
The only problem here is that it feels a little less nimble and maybe a bit too SUV-like from behind the wheel. Everything about the interior feels a little exaggerated, and while it works for an XV SUV, here in the lower-slung Impreza, it feels a little out of place.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
The Impreza looks and feels like a box on wheels, and that makes the interior quite practical. Despite the large, chunky seats and plenty of soft trim points, the cabin proved to be spacious and adjustable, with thoughtful places for items.
The doors have large cubbyholes with bottle holders on the sides, two large cup holders in the center console, a large, upholstered cantilever storage box on top, and a small compartment under the climate control unit. It looks like there might be a wireless charger here, but it's not available in the Impreza line yet. There's also no USB-C, with two USB-A sockets, an auxiliary input, and a 12V outlet in this location.
The Impreza has a pretty practical interior.
The large, bright touchscreen is driver-friendly, and practical dials for all important functions are combined with perhaps a surfeit of steering wheel controls, making it easy to operate functions while driving.
The Impreza's interior is notable for its large amount of space in the back seat, where I have room for my knees behind my driving position (I'm 182cm) and there's plenty of room as well. The middle seat is perhaps less useful for adults as the large transmission tunnel takes up most of the space.
Salon Impreza is characterized by spaciousness in the back seat.
Rear passengers can use one bottle holder in each door, a set of cup holders in the drop-down armrest and one pocket in the back of the front passenger seat. Despite the amount of space on offer, there are no adjustable air vents or power outlets for rear passengers, although the pleasant seat finishes remain.
The boot volume is 345 liters (VDA).
Trunk volume is 345 liters (VDA), which is small for an XV that claims to be an SUV, but slightly more competitive for an Impreza. For reference, it's bigger than a Corolla, but smaller than an i30 or Cerato. Under the floor is a compact spare wheel.
The luggage compartment of the Impreza is larger than the Corolla.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
The Impreza only offers one engine option: a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine with 115kW/196Nm. Those numbers wouldn't be too bad for most hatchbacks, but this engine has to deal with the added burden of the Impreza's all-wheel drive system.
The engine is a 2.0-litre non-turbocharged boxer engine.
Speaking of which, Subaru's all-wheel drive is always on and is theoretically "symmetrical" (it can deliver roughly the same amount of torque to both axles, for example), which is generally preferred over the "on-demand" systems used by some rivals.
There is only one transmission available in the Impreza lineup, the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
The downside to standard all-wheel drive is weight. The Impreza weighs over 1400kg, making this all-wheel drive hatchback one piece.
The official claimed/combined fuel consumption is 7.2 l/100 km, although our tests showed a clearly disappointing 9.0 l/100 km in a week, which I would call "combined" test conditions. It's not a good thing when many much larger SUVs consume the same or better. Perhaps an argument in favor of a hybrid variant, or at least a turbocharger?
At the very least, the Impreza will consume entry-level 91 octane unleaded gasoline for its 50-litre tank.
The Impreza has an officially declared/combined consumption of 7.2 l/100 km.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
Subaru has been known in recent years for its unique and impressive EyeSight safety system, which uses a stereo camera designed to house a suite of active safety features.
Includes automatic emergency braking (works up to 85 km/h, detects cyclists, pedestrians and brake lights), lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic warning, automatic reverse braking, vehicle ahead warning. and adaptive cruise control.
The 2.0iS also has an impressive array of cameras, including side and front view monitors for parking assistance.
Subaru has the unique and impressive EyeSight security system.
The Impreza has seven airbags (standard front, side and head, plus knee) and has a standard suite of stability, brakes and traction control systems, as well as torque vectoring via an all-wheel drive system. .
This is one of the safe universal hatchbacks. Unsurprisingly, the Impreza has the highest five-star ANCAP safety rating, even though it's dated 2016, when this generation was released.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Subaru covers its vehicles with the industry-standard five-year unlimited mileage promise, although there are no perks or frills to it, such as free car rentals or transportation options offered by some competitors.
One thing Subaru isn't famous for is low running costs, as the Impreza's maintenance per year or 12,500 miles is relatively expensive. Each visit will cost between $341.15 and $797.61, with an average of $486.17 for the first five years, which is very expensive compared to, say, a Toyota Corolla.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
Like all Subaru's, the Impreza has a lot of nice features that comes from the all-wheel drive system, fairly organic steering and a comfortable ride. It's solid and sure-footed on the road, and while it falls short of its XV sibling in ride height, it still has a comfortable suspension setup.
In fact, the Impreza is the same as the XV, but more attractive and reactive due to being closer to the ground. If you don't need ground clearance, the Impreza is your best bet.
The Impreza has pretty organic steering.
Thanks to that lower height, the Impreza also has better body control in corners, and yet it handles potholes and road bumps seemingly as well as its elevated companion. Indeed, the Impreza's ride quality is preferable in urban settings than many of its sporty rivals if you're looking for a softer edge. It's also a breeze around town or when parking, with excellent visibility and good camera coverage in this top version.
However, the engine and transmission are less pleasant. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine does a fine job of getting around town, but it's a shaky and noisy unit that needs to bump up the rev range in many situations to deliver enough power. It's not helped by the CVT's rubbery response, which is especially average. It just sucks the joy out of what could otherwise be a fun and capable hatch.
The naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine handles city trips just fine.
It's a shame to see there's no "e-Boxer" hybrid version of this car, as the equivalent XV's hybrid version is a little more advanced, and the electric drive helps take the edge off the underpowered engine a bit. Perhaps it could show up for the next iteration of this car?
Out of town, this Impreza offers a contrast of superb freeway active safety features with a noticeable drop in ride at speeds over 80 mph. Still, its ride comfort and chunky seats make it a worthy long-distance hiker.
Overall, the Impreza will suit the buyer who is looking for something a little more comfort-oriented than its competitors, plus all-wheel drive reliability and dependability.
Verdict
Rugged, safe and comfortable, the Subaru Impreza continues to make its way as a small SUV with low-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in the hatchback space.
Unfortunately, in many ways the Impreza is a shadow of its former self. It's a car in need of some engine and technology upgrade, whether it's a smaller turbocharged variant or the new "e-Boxer" hybrid. Time will tell if it survives another generation to develop into what it should be in tomorrow's market.
