2017 Subaru Impreza first drive review

A building is no good without strong foundations. It can still look good and it might still stand, but it won't take long to find the cracks.

That's why Subaru's all-new Impreza is such a critical car for the Japanese brand, as it introduces the platform which cements the underpinnings of every new Subaru from now until the middle of next decade (with the exception being a possible second-generation BRZ).

Essentially, the basics of the conventional small car will be the stretched, raised and re-worked for the next-generation XV crossover, Forester SUV, WRX and STi pocket rockets, Liberty sedan and Outback wagon and is capable of housing Subaru's traditional all-wheel drive layout as well as a front-drive configuration while also envisaged to fit future hybrid and full electric vehicle powertrains. Subaru also claims the architecture is stiffer and lighter than before for increased dynamics and better comfort while also setting a new benchmark for safety in the small car class.

Needless to say, there is a lot riding on the Impreza's slightly more sculptured and broader shoulders.

While it looks familiar, Subaru says the Impreza is 95 per cent all-new, with only nuts and bolts and the like being carried over from its predecessor. It is also 45mm longer, rides on a wheelbase that has an additional 25mm between the front and rear axles, is 35mm wider and yet sits 10mm lower than the car is replaces.

In all four variants offered across both sedan and hatchback body styles, the Impreza is powered by a new-generation 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder boxer engine that produces 115kW of power and 196Nm of torque and driving a permanent all-wheel drive transmission via a continuously variable gearbox with a broader spread of ratios to improve acceleration and fuel consumption, which Subaru claims is between 6.6-7.2L/100km depending on the model.

While the engine doesn't offer huge improvements in outputs, the Impreza is the first Subaru with annual servicing intervals (or every 12,500km) with a capped price servicing scheme that is almost $1000 cheaper over the first three years of ownership than the previous model.

The value equation is enhanced by a host of new features across the range too. The entry-level Impreza 2.0i costs from $22,400 (plus on-road costs) for the sedan and is pretty basic, riding on 17-inch alloys, has cloth trim, manual air con, tyre pressure warning and a new-generation 6.5-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

Step-up to the 2.0i-L, which starts at $24,490 (plus on-road costs), and the additional spend brings much more, including a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, higher grade cloth trim and leather steering wheel and gearshifter, dual-zone climate control, front fog lights and an upgraded multi-function display at the top of the dash. More importantly, it also features Subaru's Eyesight safety system, which uses a stereo camera mounted at the top of the windscreen to access functions such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision and lane departure warnings.

For an extra $1800, the 2.0i-Premium adds an electric sunroof and integrated sat nav in the multimedia system.

At the top of the range, the flagship 2.0i-S costs $28,990 (plus on-roads) as a sedan and adds active torque vectoring, automatic LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, leather accented trim with heated front seats and power adjustment on the driver's side, side skirts, larger 18-inch alloys and extra safety kit in the form of blind spot monitoring, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.

Hatchback models cost an additional $200 across the range.

First impressions are pretty positive for the Impreza, even though it remains a largely conservative choice in the booming small car segment. From the driver's seat, the cabin has a higher level of quality in the materials used and the overall fit and finish is up there with class-leading Europeans. The new touch screen brings a modern vibe to the overall design with colourful tiles to identify the individual functions, making it intuitive to use.

On the practical side of things, the seating position is great with plenty of adjustment to suit different drivers, the instruments are clear and easy to read, the controls are logically laid out, there's good vision all round and decent storage space for small items.

The cabin also offers a generous amount of space, with good headroom in the front, decent legroom in the back and wide-opening door apertures for easy entry and egress. Rear headroom is adequate for adults in most models, but the fitment of a sunroof restricts it somewhat.

The sedan's boot is cavernous with a 460L capacity and while the hatch offers a more practical opening and greater flexibility with up to 795 with the rear seats folded flat it only has 345L in its regular configuration. All models are fitted with temporary spare tyre.

As for how it drives, the Impreza has leapfrogged its way towards to class leaders when it comes to balancing comfort and dynamics, all thanks to those solid foundations. While there is nothing tricky about it, lacking high-tech items such as adaptive dampers or multi-mode steering set-ups, Subaru has delivered a refined and well-balanced chassis that feels rock solid in the way it steers, corners and rides the bumps.

Where its predecessor felt flighty through the bends and sharp over the bumps, the new Impreza - particularly on the 17-inch alloys - has a level of compliance that places it among the best small cars, managing to absorb big impacts without crashing through the cabin or upsetting its position on the road. While it's all-paw traction provides an added level of security in adverse conditions, the inherent handling traits of the chassis are right up there and ensure it is surefooted and predictable when driven enthusiastically.

It makes light work of a twisty road, but the engine has to do some heavy lifting to keep up, especially on hilly terrain or when maximum power is called for when overtaking, for example. It is smooth and refined, and relatively quiet, when driven in normal suburban conditions and uses the elasticity of the CVT transmission to get moving swiftly. But it doesn't have the kind of low-end pulling power of a modern turbo engine and therefore needs to be worked hard to get the best performance from it. In those circumstances, the CVT becomes noisy with a constant high-pitched whine from its chain as the engine sits close to its redline.

For an all-new generation engine, it certainly isn't as big a step forward as the platform and, in truth, is the Impreza's weakest link.

But the rest of the package is a giant step in the right direction. And while the Impreza remains a fairly conservative small car contender, it has elevated itself from being a safe bet to a quality offering that builds on its good value with top-level dynamics and safety, more affordable ownership credentials and up-to-the-minute connectivity.

It certainly lays a solid foundation for Subarus of the future.

2017 Subaru Impreza Price and Specifications

Price: from $22,400 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol

Power: 115kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 196Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: CVT Automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 6.6L/100km

• For more information visit our Subaru showroom page