2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited
Subaru is on track to sell over 550,000 cars in the US this year, which would mean seven years of annual sales increases. Obviously, the company has a very good idea of what Americans want in their vehicles. For the 2015 Impreza, Subaru has refined what was already a compelling B-segment choice.
Changes include a new front fascia and lights that bring the Impreza more in line with the all-new Legacy and Outback; in Sport trim this is a good looking machine, with a pleasingly chamfered look and a good stance thanks to appropriately sized wheels and tires. Inside, most of the moldings and materials are now of higher quality; the Impreza now has higher perceived quality than a Civic or perhaps Corolla, though it still trails the new VW Golf or Mazda3. A back up camera is standard, and the touch screen interface (either 6.2in or 7in depending on trim level) is fast and intuitive. Thicker side glass and more insulation quite road and wind roar and also help to reduce the acoustic annoyances caused by the use of a continuously variable transmission.
Said CVT has also been reprogrammed to act more like a conventional automatic, so it doesn’t drone as much under hard acceleration—which is required most of the time, as the Impreza’s sole engine choice is still a rather anemic 148hp 2-liter boxer four, whose 145lb-ft of torque doesn’t arrive until a fairly high 4200rpm. 0-60 takes nine seconds—slow these days—but the Impreza compensates to some degree by getting good real world fuel economy for an AWD vehicle. But one would really need four powered wheels to choose it over the VW or Mazda, both of which are much quicker, equally efficient (or more so) and more fun to drive.
The Subaru takes a more measured approach to pleasing the driver; steering is accurate enough but feel-free and the chassis balance a good ride and safe, predictable handling. Other attributes include a very well shaped, comfortable back seat and excellent visibility. To give the Impreza its due, it probably feels quick enough at lower altitudes, but in the higher elevations of Colorado, it seems quite gutless, especially on skiing, hiking or camping trips into the Rockies. While the 2015 upgrades are welcome, what it really needs is an option of the 2.5-liter engine from other Subaru models. Then we’d really have a wonderful, sub-WRX Impreza Sport that lived up to its name.
EPA ratings: 27/36mpg; 31mpg combined
0-60mph: 9.0 seconds
Price as tested: $26,685
Here is what Subaru has to say.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Better than: Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic
Worse than: Mazda 3, VW Golf
