Subaru Impreza 2017 review | first Australian drive video

Tim Robson road tests and reviews the Subaru Impreza with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.
Read Tim's full review here: carsgui.de/2hG51y3
See more at the CarsGuide.com.au Impreza hub: carsgui.de/2hTm1BB
Check out other sedans here: carsgui.de/1T9wHrc
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Meet Subaru's new billion dollar baby, the fifth generation Impreza.
The Japanese company has bet the farm on an all-new platform for its best selling car, and if early indications are anything to go by, it looks like it's money well spent.
The Impreza is 95 per cent brand new, and is aimed squarely at a younger, more connected audience.
It'll start at $22,400 before on-roads, and it'll be available in four variants.
All three will be powered by the same 115kW, 196Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine that's matched to a continuously variable transmission and an all-wheel-drive layout.
A new multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard right across the line.
The base model car unfortunately is the only one to miss out on Subaru's clever EyeSight safety system, while the top spec car gets Vision Assist, Lane Assist and rear cross traffic alert.
It'll come it both hatch and sedan form.
Why has it cost so much? Well, Subaru has spent big on building a brand new platform - called somewhat unexcitingly called the Subaru Global Platform - to sit underneath not just the Impreza, but a range of models to come for the Japanese car company.
In fact, Subaru says the new chassis marks the biggest change to the Impreza in more than 20 years.
It's longer, wider and lower than any Impreza that's come before it, and it's up to twice as stiff as the outgoing car in some spots, which helps… well, every element of the car.
It's also an important part of the Impreza's safety credentials. Not only is it stronger, but it's built to house the latest in active and passive safety tech, like Subaru's own EyeSight as well as torque vectoring control.
The Impreza is still all wheel drive, too, even though it would have been cheaper and easier to build the car without it.
From behind the wheel, it's money well spent. This new Impreza is a completely different car to the old one.
There's a weight and a confidence to the steering and the ride that the old one lacked, and it's impressively quiet. Like, really impressively quiet.
The suspension is now softer and it handles bumps and corrugations with ease.
On the inside, extra width and leg room front and back means it's a better fit for taller drivers and passengers.
Subaru has stayed with a 2.0-litre non-turbo version of its famous boxer engine - and this could well be the car's only weak link.
It's quiet and its refined, sure, but it lacks a bit of punch that's only more obvious because the chassis is so good. A little more low down urge would give the Impreza another level of sophistication.
Luckily, Subaru kinda knows what it's doing when it comes to turbocharging smallish sedans, so watch this space.
Subaru is on a bit of a hot streak at the moment, after a couple of years in the design wilderness.
The new Impreza is a big gamble for a small company, but if this is any indication of what's to come from Subaru, I reckon it's holding a winning hand.
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[@djizzah]

test drove it, nicely finished, not too ugly for a subaru, but its a real slug, felt quite a bit slower than my missus corolla

[@DEVILTAZ35]

All of that gushing review and then you give it a crappy 3.5 out of 5.

[@Driver6M]

Looks good inside and out, like a mini Liberty. Wish they would downsize the engine to 1.5 and add a turbo for more low down torque. Looking forward to the new XV version.

[@DEVILTAZ35]

I drive the 2016 3.6R and it looks nothing like the imprezza inside , though i have the lvory coloured leather which changes the whole look of the car anyway. Not a fan of the busy screen above the main display or the speedo guage in general . After driving the levorg which has more or less the same speedo etc as the liberty this looks rather cheap and nasty. i get given the Levorg as a free loan car when i have to service mine . Fun car for a day but not worth 50k plus.

[@mattheviewer]

In USA, Impreza manuals are expected to appear in first quarter of 2017.

[@Aiken47]

You want a turbo get a WRX, they just need to add a worked 2.5 l like they used to.

[@kuldeepD3R]

New subaru or new civic ?

[@CylusHorny]

damn that amount of features for sub 25k, this car beat the crap out of the new Civic except the engine output

[@dessy2222]

Any word on WRX and STI release dates with this new platform? Not much on the internet about it yet but you would think mid to late 2017??

[@DEVILTAZ35]

It won't be until 2018 or late 2017 in Australia as MY17 WRX only has a minor facelift on existing platform. According to wheels they can't fit the existing WRX engine into the new Imprezza engine bay so it looks like an all new WRX engine before too long. Despite what they are saying about dynamics it wouldn't be stiff enough for the WRX or STI platform anyway so there would still need to be much more modifications to this base design. What is a little confusing though is why Subaru has opted for softer suspension as the firm suspension is great , softer suspension is too spongy even at low speed.

[@yogaexe]

2020 model. so not until 2019

[@DEVILTAZ35]

Yeah looks like you are right.

[@jackychan8822]

All about this car has been great except the sluggish engine, would be better for having a turbo charged 2.0l engine included in the range.

[@Aiken47]

Jacky Simmons they are called WRX

[@jackychan8822]

Asnl45 Yep I know that one, it's like VW Golf gti to the normal golf series, I just think these models under the Impreza range should also deserve turbo charged engines, haha

[@DEVILTAZ35]

They will never do that the WRX and Levorg will always be treated differenly to the imprezza. These cars are sub 30k , they could have used the 150 kw BRZ engine or something similar though. I just fear this car won't sell as well here as they think it will due to lack of power and torque. Driving a 3.6R with 191 kw and 350 torque i don't think i could step into this even to test drive it. i am also not a fan of the ipad type layout. I much prefer the integrated screen in the liberty though it does look like this one is nowhere near as reflective which is a step up in that regard. The switch controls all look rather cheap and nasty though where as the liberty centre console looks excellent. Also he went on about how quiet the car was yet all you could hear was some sort of roar with the windows up in that video so it didn't sound quiet at all.

[@geksii]

2:25 looks great, will be holding out for the levorg or forester xt with this new smoother shape.

[@DEVILTAZ35]

There is a good chance the next TS sports model could be the 3.6R liberty sedan. That would be rather awesome with a sports pack. I am considering lowering mine and adding better wheels and brakes but if they are releasing a TS within the next 2 years i might hold off and get that instead. The 3.6R should easily be good for over 200kw with a bit of tweaking so very keen to see if they alter anything like that.

[@jamessimonds4458]

We purchased a 2018 base trim hatchback. We were new to Subaru. After owning the 2028 Impreza, we have purchased 2 more. One being a 2020 premium trim Forester with the 15 package. And the other, a 2022 Subaru premium trim Impreza sedan. What we learned from our original purchase, is NEVER Buy a base trim Subaru. It came with steel wheels and hubcaps. That car has now, close to 70,000 miles on the odometer. In that period of time, we lost 12 hubcaps. So when it came time to replace the rubber, we also purchased after market wheels. Problem solved. But it was an expensive fix. Another zonk is the 2.0 engine. IT IS VERY WEAK AND UNDER POWERED. Subaru should have at minimum, offered the 2.5. That engine still matches the mpg and it adds another 30 hp. I’m sure that Subaru is award of the short coming of the engine. It’s all over social media. But Subaru REFUSES to listen to the customer. How do I know? Well, I have a 2022 Impreza that has the same issues. But at least on that car, I was smart enough to order the premium trim. I don’t have issues with lost hubcaps. Now, let’s talk about the 2020 Premium trim Forester. KUDOS TO SUBARU. Not a single zonk. We live that vehicle. And it has the 2.5 engine and that vehicle ROCKS

[@MF-qw5wl]

is subaru really such a small company?

[@sugarnads]

M F yes. Its a minnow.

[@waynegriffith2402]

Other reviewers said there's a five speed manual coming

[@TimRobson]

Hey Wayne - the basic Impreza is very, very unlikely to get manual in Australia. WRX maybe, but not the base car. Cheers!

[@aminurrashid9211]

good design for sedan

[@gearwax]

Aussies don't get a manual? Damn shame that!

[@jamesralph5908]

After all the praise you were giving you only give it a 7/10 basically wtf?

[@cobus8870]

2l and only 114kw?

[@WayneStark626]

I know right. in the meanwhile 2l Hyundai I30 is 120kw.

[@elmin2323]

The rating should be out of 10 not 5

[@neirboca]

says who??

[@TheInferno]

cool vid

[@wheresmycheese8511]

11.5 to 100kmh no thanks

[@brownbearstuff]

Honestly, chassis reads 'shasee'... Taking the koala with the rogue z in there... Good job otherwise :)

[@BillySmith808]

Already looks 10 years old, poor Subaru with their cheap interiors

[@DEVILTAZ35]

It is the all black look that does that. If they offer the ivory interior like they do in canada it would look alot smarter. I have the ivory interior 3.6R and it looks much classier than this but it is not in this price range at nearly 50k drive away either. Love my 3.6R though and would never trade it for an imprezza. Ivory leather can take a bit of effort to keep clean though so probably not recommended if you have messy kids or wife.

[@jamessimonds4458]

Actually, the interior is NOT cheap. It’s one of the best things about the car. It is not a bad looking car. The AWD is awesome. We travel where there is snow, and this little car, does very well. It would be a lot nicer gad Subaru used a more powerful engine.