2024 Subaru Impreza AWD 2.0S overview

I’d have utterly understood if Subaru Australia had determined to not carry the new-generation Subaru Impreza to market.

The small automotive phase is shrinking, and lots of different manufacturers have pulled out or raised costs to the purpose the place the choice compact SUV of their vary makes extra sense.

That would simply have been the case right here, with the Crosstrek interesting to many extra consumers because of its added experience top, aggro presence, and off-road modes.

Contemplating the overwhelming majority of compact crossover fashions don’t provide all-wheel drive anyway, and all different inexpensive hatches being front-drive, the argument for the Impreza AWD nonetheless current is effectively and actually stacked towards it.

So, who is that this automotive for? Must you take into account one? I’ll inform you my ideas on this detailed overview.

How does the Subaru Impreza evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Subaru Impreza towards equally sized autos.

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Impreza

How a lot does the Subaru Impreza value?

There are extra inexpensive variations of the Impreza hatch, however one examined right here is the top-of-the-range AWD 2.0S.

2024 Subaru Impreza pricing:

2024 Subaru Impreza 2.0L: $31,4902024 Subaru Impreza 2.0R: $34,9902024 Subaru Impreza 2.0S: $37,990

Costs earlier than on-road prices

To see how the Impreza compares with its rivals, use our comparability instrument.

What’s the Subaru Impreza like on the within?

The inside of the Subaru Impreza does really feel like a step up from the outgoing mannequin and could be very a lot in keeping with a number of the different present Subaru fashions.

That primarily comes right down to the bigger 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen media system which does take delight of place on the dashboard. It provides wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and satellite tv for pc navigation on this spec, to not point out DAB+ and AM/FM radio.

Whereas many of the controls are proper there on the brilliant, crisp and vibrant display, there are nonetheless some laborious buttons on your temperature adjustment and demister, in addition to quantity and tuning dials, which I prefer to see. You do have to make use of the fan controller down on the backside of the display, although, in order that’s a little bit bit irritating. 

Fortunately, it’s not too troublesome of a menu system to get your head round, and there are USB-A, USB-C, and auxiliary ports. This spec additionally scores a wi-fi cellphone charger which is a pleasant measurement – your cellphone can wiggle round a little bit bit whenever you’re going by way of corners and it’ll nonetheless keep charging. Another automobiles don’t try this. 

Different options embody heated seat buttons for the highest two grades down close to the shifter, a 12-volt port, some decent-sized cup holders, bottle holders within the doorways, and a centre console bin as effectively. 

Up entrance there are good comfortable contact factors in all places, and the leather-accented seats on this top-spec mannequin really feel fairly fancy. For context, I spent a while within the 2.0R model, which has a material seat trim, and I used to be nice with these seats too.

Should you don’t need a sunroof, then you definitely don’t want to finish up with this spec. However I believe that it does really feel fairly good up entrance.

One factor that’s letting it down a little bit bit is it nonetheless solely has a comparatively small digital display as a part of the instrument cluster with dials – another automobiles have huge digital screens which are truly not that simple to cope with.

Some individuals will nonetheless hate that there are such a lot of buttons on the steering wheel, however I discover – being a Subaru driver of years passed by – you do get used to those buttons fairly shortly. Perhaps it’s simply me. Perhaps I’m simply in tune with Subaru. 

From an area perspective, the Impreza provides sufficient for a household of 4.

With the driving force’s seat set for my place at 182cm/6ft tall, I had knee room, foot room, and a little bit little bit of headroom. You simply have to look at your head should you’re taller when getting out and in, and should you’re planning to experience three-wide, there’s a transmission tunnel intruding into the foot area.

The again seat isn’t overly comfy, although – it’s extra like sitting on a stool than slumping in a stunning lounge. You sit up fairly excessive and also you get a little bit of a view over what’s occurring up entrance. That could be nice should you’ve bought youngsters in booster seats otherwise you’re taking adults with you. 

However what isn’t nice is there aren’t any directional air vents behind this automotive, and that could possibly be a deal-breaker for some household automotive consumers. I’d perceive if it was – however should you’re okay with that, there are ISOFIX factors for the window seats and three prime tethers.

Nonetheless, there are USB-C and USB-A ports within the again (priorities, I suppose?), a single map pocket, bottle holders within the doorways, and a flip-down armrest with very shallow cupholders. 

The boot is one other consideration for patrons, with simply 291 litres of cargo capability on provide with the rear seats up, that is small for this class of auto. Should you want extra boot area than what’s on provide right here, you have to be a Kia Cerato or a Skoda Scala. 

There’s no electrical tailgate on any mannequin, both, which is disappointing, however you do get a space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot ground. There’s additionally a light-weight within the again and a few procuring bag storage.

So whereas it’s not the perfect household hatch, Subaru has some nice alternate options, just like the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, or the Forester or Outback. However should you’re single, or in a pair with no youngsters, otherwise you solely often use the again seat, this may nonetheless be nice.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

For a ‘new’ hatch popping out in 2024, it’s shocking to see there is no such thing as a downsized turbo or petrol-electric hybrid choice provided. The actual fact the Crosstrek will get a hybrid, and the WRX will get a turbo, may imply you’ll have to buy elsewhere should you’re determined for these issues in your Subie.

As an alternative, the Impreza has a non-turbo 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ petrol engine producing 115kW of energy (6000rpm) and 196Nm of torque (4000rpm).

It’s mated with a constantly variable transmission (CVT) auto that includes eight simulated shift factors, and all-wheel drive is commonplace.

The official mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine is 7.5L/100km, supposedly aided by the automated begin/cease system that cuts the engine whenever you’re idle in site visitors.

In actuality, this automotive disillusioned me with its gasoline use. Over a mixture of real-world driving together with open highway, freeway, commuting, site visitors, stop-start and concrete driving, I noticed a displayed return of 9.1 litres per 100km, which is thirsty by class requirements.

It has a 50-litre gasoline tank, and runs on 91 RON common unleaded gasoline.

How does the Subaru Impreza drive?

This era of Impreza is very similar to the outgoing mannequin to drive, and with out the context of all the things else that’s occurring on this planet of automobiles, that could be nice. 

Nonetheless, different automobiles nowadays drive higher than this. It’s to not say that this drives badly; it’s simply not as polished and well-rounded as a few of its rivals on the market. 

Some issues that might not be as refined or as loveable embody the engine and transmission mixture which, admittedly, will do the job nice, but it surely gained’t excite.

It’s as if the model has tuned the throttle and the brake to really feel actually delicate to make it really feel prefer it has far more efficiency than it truly does, as a result of it’s actually not a powerhouse powertrain. 

It can most likely be nice for city drivers and those that perhaps reside in nation areas and simply run into city and again to drop off the youngsters in school.

But it surely’s not going to be one for the thrill-seekers. In case you are in search of a extra thrilling Subaru driving expertise, purchase a WRX – you’ll be happier than should you have been going to purchase this.

The transmission itself could be a little bit annoying. It’s nonetheless a CVT auto and it nonetheless has that slurry motion a majority of these transmissions can have. Should you’re taking off from a standstill, it may lavatory down after which make a racket earlier than it will get shifting. It’s not horrible and for probably the most half you may discover that it’s truly a reasonably habitable driving expertise. 

There are paddle shifters if you wish to take issues into your individual fingers and shift in a guide mode, though it’s probably not guide. It doesn’t make it far more thrilling both.

The Impreza additionally hasn’t bought the smoothest experience. It tends to really feel the lumps and bumps of the highway floor with out essentially cushioning you from what’s occurring beneath the tyres.

Likewise, the dealing with is ok, with steering that’s responsive sufficient and has a good motion, however can exhibit some understeer (the place the nostril doesn’t flip as a lot as you may want it to) whenever you push it a bit more durable.

There’s a good bit of noise coming into the cabin from beneath the bonnet, and there’s additionally fairly a little bit of highway noise intrusion. 

Talking of intrusion, the lane-keeping tech isn’t too dangerous on this automotive because it doesn’t intervene till it thinks it actually must step in, which is sweet.

Nonetheless, the driving force monitoring digicam system is overbearing, and actually insists that you just hold your eyes on the prize, even whenever you’re simply adjusting the stereo or checking if there’s site visitors coming from different instructions.

There’s no hiding it – the brand new Impreza isn’t a class-leader in any manner relating to the drive.

However should you reside in a rural space, and encounter rougher roads or gravel tracks, the peace-of-mind from the AWD system could possibly be the explanation you select it. I can perceive that.

What do you get?

The 2024 Subaru Impreza vary has three fashions accessible, and this 2.0S is the top-spec model.

Impreza 2.0L highlights:

17-inch alloy wheelsSpace-saver spareRear privateness glassAutomatic LED headlightsPower-folding exterior mirrorsRain-sensing wipersBlack tricot material upholsteryKeyless entry and startDual-zone local weather controlPaddle shifters11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoDAB+ digital radioWireless cellphone charger4.2-inch instrument cluster screen1 x 12V outletFront USB-A (x1) and USB-C (x1) charging ports6-speaker sound system

2.0R provides:

18-inch alloy wheelsSteering-responsive headlightsFront cornering lightsFront LED fog lightsHeated exterior mirrors‘Premium’ material upholsteryLeather-wrapped steering wheel and shifterAluminium pedalsAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorHeated entrance seats8-way energy driver’s seat with lumbar supportRear USB-A (x1) and USB-C (x1) charging ports

2.0S provides:

Energy sunroofLeather-accented upholsterySatellite navigation10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

Is the Subaru Impreza secure?

There’s no ANCAP score for the current-gen Impreza, nevertheless there’s a lengthy checklist of ordinary security gear and know-how throughout the vary.

Commonplace security gear contains:

Driver monitoring system Facial recognitionDrowsiness warningEyeSight Driver AssistAdaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency brakingPedestrian detectionCyclist detectionAutonomous emergency steeringEmergency lane-keep assistLane-centringLane-keep assistLeading automobile departure alertIntelligent velocity limiterSpeed signal recognitionSubaru Imaginative and prescient AssistBlind-spot monitoringEyeSight Help MonitorRear cross-traffic alertReverse autonomous emergency brakingRear parking sensorsFront aspect radar

2.0R and a couple of.0S provides:

Computerized high-beamSurround-view digicam with entrance and aspect views

The Impreza is a little bit automotive but it surely has a variety of airbags – 9 airbags in actual fact, comprising twin entrance, twin entrance aspect, curtains, driver’s knee, far aspect, and entrance passenger seat cushion airbags.

How a lot does the Subaru Impreza value to run?

Like most different manufacturers, Subaru backs the Impreza with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

The Japanese model additionally provides 5 years/75,000 kilometres of capped-price servicing, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km.

That’s good, however the prices are comparatively excessive. The primary 5 providers are capped at $346.25, $473.47, $420.60, $771.74 and $361.13 respectively.

Which means a mean annual service is near $475, or practically twice the quantity it prices to keep up a Toyota Corolla… You additionally get one yr of roadside help included.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Impreza

I believe the Subaru Impreza nonetheless has a component to play in Australia’s shrinking small-car phase but it surely’s actually not as compelling because it could possibly be.

However if you’d like a brand-new hatchback, and also you want all-wheel drive, that is mainly the one selection you’ve bought. At the very least in 2.0S spec it has a couple of bells and whistles.

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