Subaru Impreza review: solid hatch doesn’t shift the goalposts

City-focused softroaders are in high demand at the moment, but this long-time favourite is a cheaper option that can still tackle a dirt road.

The sixth generation Subaru Impreza in range-topping 2.0S specification starts from about $42,100 drive-away. Picture: Supplied.

Subaru’s sixth-generation Impreza arrives with sharper styling and improved safety and tech. But with carry-over engine and steep price rises, is it worth considering?

VALUE

Subaru says the 2024 Impreza is “all-new” but it’s not. The styling changes are merely evolutionary and the platform, 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT auto gearbox are as before.

This conservative approach should please Impreza-faithful buyers, but even they’ll baulk at the price rises. The entry-level 2.0-litre is up $4000 to $31,490; the mid-spec Premium is now called 2.0R and up $4900 to $34,990; while the range-topping 2.0S jumps $5200 to $37,990 – all before on-roads. Small-car rival Toyota Corolla starts at $29,610 and Hyundai’s i30 starts at $24,000.

The interior presentation is traditional but up-market. Picture: Supplied.

But the Impreza’s points of difference include all-wheel-drive range-wide, plus generous specification and excellent safety from entry-level. All are hatchbacks (the sedan’s been dropped) and feature dual-zone climate control, a superb 11.6-inch portrait infotainment screen, wireless phone charger and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.

The 2.0R adds self-levelling and steering responsive headlights, heated power seats and more premium cabin materials, while our test 2.0S brings leather trim, a sunroof, sat nav and Harman Kardon audio. But no digital driver display – expected at this price.

A five-year/unlimited km warranty is par, but services are expensive at $2373 for the first five.

The Impreza is expensive to service. Picture: Supplied.

COMFORT

The door handles feel too light, and there’s no solid “thunk” when shutting doors. But the cabin fit and finish is robust and well-engineered, with the dash show dominated by the mighty portrait screen. It operates superbly by mixing physical buttons and touchscreen, making climate and audio use non-distractingly simple. Smartphone mirroring neatly fills the screen, while the menus and camera are slick and sharp.

The dash top, steering wheel paddles and elements of the centre console feel too plasticky, but the seats are comfortable, supportive and roomy. Rear seat space easily trumps the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 hatchbacks – head and leg room are decent and there’s a fold-down armrest – but it’s at the expense of boot space, which is sub-par.

Boot space isn’t great with the second-row seats up but they fold flat for bigger loads. Picture: Supplied.

SAFETY

There are nine airbags and standard crash avoidance tech includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, speed sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert and auto emergency braking. The 2.0S’s 360-degree monitor – including side view when manoeuvring – make parking a bingle-free affair.

The lane-departure warning/prevention can get too heavy handed but otherwise the safety’s well calibrated. The driver’s face is monitored for distraction and fatigue, and is less nannying than Subaru’s previous effort.

The Impreza corners confidently but the engine and transmission don’t lend themselves to spirited driving. Picture: Supplied.

DRIVING

Like your drives easy, plush and serene? If you’re gentle on the throttle and the road surface is good, the Impreza’s buttery smooth. The suspension’s soft, city noises are kept at bay and at highway speeds it’s safe and settled. The CVT auto gearbox, meanwhile, works away without a peep.

Enthusiastically pile into roundabouts or corners and it corners confidently, with loads of grip. But joy levels are low. This is not an Impreza for the driving enthusiast. The 115kW/196Nm 2.0L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder is very much reheated soup – in 2024 we expect small, punchy turbo petrols or economical hybrids in our small cars.

Acceleration is tardy and if you ask for more performance, things get noisy, not helped by the CVT whining its constant note. Economy’s an unimpressive 7.5L/100km (we returned 8.1L/100km), so it all feels very old hat and not befitting a new model Impreza.

Perhaps it’s time these everyman Imprezas moved to front-wheel-drive to lower costs and improve economy?

All-wheel drive is an added safety feature on dirt roads and in the wet, but it also adds to fuel use. Picture: Supplied.

ALTERNATIVES

Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid, about $42,500 drive-away

Fun, frugal (4.0L/100km), fancy inside and so cheap to service, but small back seat and boot blot its form book.

Mazda3 G25 GT, about $42,450 drive-away

Striking good looks, but sleek rear end compromises back seat and boot space. Quality cabin, lovely drive experience and punchy 138kW/252Nm 2.5-litre engine.

Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life, about $43,400 drive-away

Superb all-rounder with space, grace, pace and economy. Fiddly new tech and expensive service costs are blemishes.

SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0S VITALS

PRICE About $42,000 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICE Five years/unlimited km, $2373 for five years/75,000km

SAFETY Nine airbags, auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise, 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitor, side-view monitor, lane centring, speed-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring with facial recognition

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 115kW/196Nm

THIRST 7.5L/100km

BOOT 291 litres

VERDICT

Three stars

Improved interior, excellent safety and assured drive help the Impreza’s case, but its high price, aged engine and lack of wow already make it feel old.

Originally published as Subaru Impreza review: solid hatch doesn’t shift the goalposts