SUBARU Impreza 2017

Body and cabin

The 2017 Subaru Impreza gets a more dynamic body shape for 2017 with more sculptural styling and revised proportions. The flowing lines also combine with active grill shutters (on all but the base Convenience model) and additional plastic underbody body panels to improve the aerodynamics. Still offered in sedan and hatchback body styles (the latter adding $900 to the price tag), the new Impreza is 4.5 cm longer, 3.7 cm wider and adds 2.5 cm to the wheelbase.

Already vast in the outgoing model, the interior makes the most of the new dimensions. Evident from the specifications and then when seated inside, the cabin is much wider than before, and rear-seat passengers enjoy 2.6 cm more legroom. The use of more-resistant yet thinner steel in the new platform contributes to increasing the interior dimensions without overly increasing the size of the car.

Despite a few additional litres of volume, the trunk of the Subaru Impreza sedan is still much smaller than that of the Honda Civic, for instance, or the Volkswagen Jetta. For maximum versatility, your best bet is the hatchback model, especially now that the engineers have widened the liftgate opening by 10 cm at sill height.

Subaru is insistent in pointing out the attention to finish and convenience in the 2017 Impreza. And, yes, the quality of materials is more convincing, fit is more precise, digital displays are clearer and controls, more precise, enhancing the attractiveness of the cabin. Firmer, more supportive front seats paired with a very good driving position create a comfortable environment.

A 20.3-cm (8-in.) touch screen appears in the two highest-priced models; it is both clear and easy to use. All models get the practical Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces at no extra cost. Audiophiles will be glad to learn that Subaru is finally getting serious about sound quality, now equipping all Imprezas with a Harman radio. However, only Sport-tech versions get Harman speakers. A heated steering wheel, leather seats and navigation are also exclusive to Sport-tech models, as well as 18-in wheels, a first for a non-WRX Impreza.

Safety

Subaru has distinguished itself for crash protection for at least ten years as a “Top Safety Pick” in its category across nearly its entire lineup. The 2017 Subaru Impreza performs similarly. In fact, Subaru has designed the new platform to meet or exceed crash-test standards for the years to come. The seatbelts now include a lap belt pretensioner, in addition to one for the shoulder portion to reduce pressure on the chest in case of a collision.

At the Canadian press launch of the new model, in December 2016, Subaru presented a video of its own frontal offset crash test; more rigorous than IIHS tests, it appears to attest to the solidity of the platform.

In terms of active safety, EyeSight technology obviously is back this year, four years after it first appeared in the Legacy and Outback. The third generation of the feature still uses a pair of cameras on each side of the inside rearview mirror for automatic pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning (now with lane-keep assist) and adaptive speed control functions.

The Eyesight suite also includes a function to prevent low-speed acceleration if an obstacle is detected in front of the vehicle. This year adds reverse automatic braking, a lifesaving function should the blind spot created by the trunk hide a child from the driver’s view.

All of those functions along with automatic high-beam activation, also new for 2017, are part of the optional Technology package available on Sport and Sport-tech versions ($1,500). Also exclusive to those models are standard blind-spot detection and rear-cross-traffic alert. On the other hand, a backup camera is standard on all Imprezas.

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Overall score: 5 / 5
Frontal impact: 5 / 5
Side impact: 5 / 5
Rollover resistance: 5 / 5

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact:
- driver side: 4 / 4
- passenger side: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4

IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Mechanical overview

Let’s start with the engine. It is still a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, with 80 percent of its components revised for 2017, says Subaru. The addition of direct fuel injection helps provide a 4-hp boost, for a total of 152 hp at 6,000 rpm. Torque is unchanged but the 145 lb-ft maximum is reached at slightly lower RPMs than before.

On the road, the engine delivers performance similar to that of the former model: adequate for daily driving, but non-inspiring. It works hard in passing situations and hilly terrain, but with commendable smoothness.

It is to be hoped that the internal revision of this engine has definitively solved the problems of excessive oil consumption and engine failure that sporadically plague Subaru.

Also optimised for 2017, the excellent continuously variable transmission ensures responsive and linear power delivery. In our view, it is one of the best transmissions of its kind on the market. An efficient manual mode mostly serves to provide additional engine braking in descents.

In any event, drivers who really want total control can still opt for a good old five-speed manual transmission. Unchanged relative to 2016, it is offered on all but the topline Sport-tech model. Without being the most precise on the market, it takes full advantage of available power. However, it imposes a 1 L/100 km penalty at the pump, because it runs the engine at higher RPMs on the road.

The big news for the 2017 Impreza is, of course, Subaru’s new global platform. More than half of the entirely redesigned chassis is now composed of high-tensile hot-press steel. Result: a 40-percent increase in solidity and 70 percent more torsional rigidity relative to the structure of the outgoing Impreza.

Along with the reinforced platform comes an extensively revised suspension. It still uses a double wishbone rear setup, an advanced and relatively rare configuration in the compact segment, and its rear stabilizer bar is now mounted directly on the chassis.

The end result is a 50-percent reduction of body roll, according to Subaru. Though impossible to verify with precision, we did note a real improvement in this respect during our first test drive in California, which included some magnificent canyon roads.

The additional composure is also attributable to the steering, which is clearly quicker and more precise than before. On a slalom course set up on a rain-soaked parking lot (yes, it was raining in California), handling proved relatively neutral at the limit. Rear-end slide was much more predictable than before, and easy to control thanks to the efficient AWD.

The 2017 Subaru Impreza also proves enjoyable on the highway. Thanks to the more rigid platform, the engineers were able to soften the suspension somewhat, without affecting grip. Comfort comes out the winner but could be improved by better soundproofing; engine and transmission noise are relatively well suppressed, but tire hum is still too intrusive.