Subaru Impreza: the complete people

Photo courtesy Subaru

Jacques Welcome

Sunday, 16 July 2017 20:17

UPDATE
Sunday, 16 July 2017 20:17

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It has the dimensions of a Toyota Corolla, offers the same degree of livability, and, for a prize similar, their prices are similar. An important detail distinguishes however this car: four wheel drive series that make the Subaru Impreza ” the entire people “.

On the north american market, the awd is the prerogative of luxury cars and prestige, or even light trucks : SUVS, crossovers and vans. However, there is one brand – and one only – that offers a small, affordable car with four-wheel drive : Subaru. Since the early 1990s, its compact car, the Impreza, has allowed a crowd of Quebecers to discover the virtues of an all-wheel-drive constant-the winter, of course, but also during the other three seasons. Just ride in the rain or on a surface piece of furniture to realize it.

For 2017, the japanese automaker offers an Impreza largely renewed. This model of the fifth generation adopts a new modular architecture that will soon be used to all brand products, including hybrid and electric vehicles become. In addition, for the first time in its history, the Impreza is assembled in the United States. It now comes from the factory Subaru Lafayette, Indiana, where are also the Outback and the Legacy.

As for the car it replaces, the new Impreza is available as a sedan (with trunk) and a five-door practice. This makes it competitive with all these models that offer the same choice of bodywork : the Mazda3, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte and Volkswagen Golf/Jetta, Mitusibishi Lancer and Toyota Corolla.

For the aesthetics of this new version, rather than making a radical transformation, the manufacturer has opted for an evolution stylish aesthetics earlier. We therefore distinguish between the new body mainly by its front part and its redesigned headlight which, in the case of the two versions more equipped Sport and Sport-tech, are equipped with powerful floodlights and LED directional. The other two versions, Convenience, and Tourism, which are less expensive, use of the halogen headlights most common.

In addition, the entry-level version Convenience has steel wheels 16-inch, while the other three versions have alloy wheels of a size corresponding to their rank within the range : 16 “to the version Tourism, 17-inch for the Sport and 18” for the Sport-tech, the most lavishly equipped of the lot, version of the sedan that we test.

Engine more refined

This compact is powered by an enhanced version of the engine with four flat cylinders of 2.0 L, which was used as the 2017 model. This atmospheric engine, that is new to 80 %, say the folks at Subaru, has swapped the injection multipoint sequential injection for direct. Although it has roughly the dimensions as the old engine – 152 hp instead of 148 and 145 lb-ft this engine book now from 80 to 100 % on a band of schemes, which extends from 1500 to 4000 rpm, which increases its softness and its flexibility at low and medium engine speeds.

For versions Convenience, Tourism and Sport, Subaru offers a manual gearbox five relationships among the standard equipment. This box offers perhaps not a handling issue, but this car is not a WRX either ! A box continuously variable automatic Lineartronic (improved to 85 %, it) is offered against an extra 1300 $ for all three versions, so that it is part of the staffing of the version Sport-tech. More flexible than that of the Impreza 2017, its programming now includes points, simulating gear changes. It looks like a box traditional automatic with seven reports ! This makes it less noisy when it seeks aggressively the engine since it does not have those long hikes regimes such as with the automatic transmission in a Nissan Sentra, which will irritate the purists, worried about the newcomers. The box of the Subaru also contributes to reduce the fuel consumption of this car. The manufacturer announces a fuel consumption rating average of 7.4 L/100 km for models with automatic transmission and 8.8 L for those with manual transmission. This difference of 15 % in favour of the automatic says it all. As a bonus, in all versions except the Impreza Convenience, this automatic transmission has a manual mode of practice, that the driver can operate using paddles attached to the steering wheel.

The interior is perfectly suited to four adults. Moreover, in the redesign of this car, to increase the comfort at the rear, the manufacturer has increased the clearance at the level of the legs 26 mm. It has also lowered the ground clearance of 15 mm to facilitate the access on board.

Photo courtesy Subaru

The dashboard of this new Impreza adopts a modern style and its finish is neater.

The new design of the dashboard is much more modern than the old model and the finish in the front part of the passenger compartment has been enhanced. All models, except the Impreza Convenience, have heated front seats. However, the records 60/40 split-fold rear seat are part of the standard specification of this car. This allows to increase the loading surface of the chest to the need; a safety deposit box of which the useful volume is in the average.

Fun to drive

On the road, we appreciate the comfort of the seats, the increased rigidity of the chassis and suspension are improved, which reduces body roll by 50 %. The Impreza has a predictable behavior due to, among other things, its all-wheel-drive constant, and a smooth ride. This car is now one notch of the Jetta !

That said, I prefer the tires of 17-inch of the Impreza Sport, rather than those plus-size bass of the Sport-tech. With the suspension setting to sport this high-end version, these tires sidewalls more farms detracts from the comfort, and are less silent. Moreover, even if the new Impreza benefits from improved sound insulation of the cabin, she could still benefit from a sound insulation increased to the level of the trunk to hide the noise from the rear part of the car, which become perceptible at high speed.

Photo courtesy Subaru

The sedan Impreza has a safe of which the useful volume is in the average.

Finally, we wish to emphasize the efficiency of the systems of driving assistance together under the label EyeSight. These systems are effective, which are not too intrusive, however, are of the options available to the Impreza Sport and Sport-tech.

With the Impreza, Subaru demonstrates that it is capable of creating vehicles to the extent of competing models the most refined of the category : the Mazda 3 and the duo Volkswagen Golf/Jetta. However, with this model of the fifth generation that there is still a little way to go to match those standards. But the gap is narrowing.

Small auto safe

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States has assigned the rating of “top safety pick+” the Subaru Impreza 2017. It thus became the only automotive 2017 to get it among the compact and sub-compact. The rating of First choice shall apply to both the sedan as Impreza hatchback equipped with the set of devices driving assistance EyeSight. The INSTITUTE enhances the odds of a ” + ” for vehicles with a lighting system of the highest quality. In this case, it is of beacons, directional LED and the system of automatic change of the beam of the headlights, as the TOP class among the best.

Name of the car

Base price (sedan)

19 995 $ (Convenience); 21 895 $ (Tourism); 24 395 $ (Sport); 28 595 $ (Sport-tech).

Transport and preparation

1595 $

Powertrain

H4 DOHC, 2.0 L, 152 hp at 6000 rpm, 145 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. Gearbox 5-speed manual or continuously variable automatic with manual mode. All-wheel-drive series.

Features

Four-wheel independent Suspension. Disc brakes to all four wheels. Anti-lock braking system series. Tires : 205/55 R16 (Convenience and Tourism); 205/50 R17 (Sport); 225/40 R18 (Sport-tech).

Dimensions (sedan)

Wheelbase : 2670 mm; length : 4625 mm; width : 1775 mm; height : 1455 mm. Weight : 1349-1453 kg. Tank capacity : 50 litres. Cargo Volume : 348 L. average Consumption (manufacturer; PVA) : 7.4 L/100 km.

Competition

Chevrolet Cruze

Ford Focus

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Forte

Mazda3

Mitsubishi Lancer

Nissan Sentra

Toyota Corolla

Volkswagen Jetta

Strengths

• All-wheel-drive effective
• Spacious interior and comfortable
• Engine sweet
• Good automatic transmission

Weak Points

• Red illumination of the dials inefficient (Sport-tech)
• nsonorisation could be better
• Good automatic transmission