Is the Impreza Impressive?
One remembers the Subaru Impreza as being a ‘small’ car, one packed with technology that made it one of the best handling vehicles on the road. What contributes toward this is the all-wheel-drive system and the engine design. It has a boxer design, where the cylinders are opposed to each other resulting very good balance and low centre of gravity.
Enter the modern Impreza and it still offers a similar feeling – comfortable, with all the controls in the right place. But, and herein is what has compromised the Impreza – in my opinion, it’s BIG. This of course compromises many aspects of what made the model desirable and much sought after by the ‘Scooby’ fraternity. Let’s not forget the drive train either as this is set it apart further from other models which with AWD systems.
It’s worth highlighting the safety features built into the Impreza – which helps justify the asking price of R 399 000. As with all Subaru vehicles, the Impreza is equipped with: seven airbags to protect occupants in the event of a collision including a driver’s knee airbag; whiplash reducing front seats; ABS, BAS and EBD as well as ISOFIX child seat anchors in the rear for the protection of infants and children. In addition, and in some instances a first, the added safety features listed below are worth noting.
- Steering responsive headlights: turn in the direction of the corner as per steering inputs, spreading more light across more of the corner for safer driving
- High beam assist: automatically switches from high to low beams depending on the vehicle approaching from the front
- Subaru rear/side vehicle detection which includes blind spot detection. When a driver signals a lane change, the system warns them of vehicles in the adjacent lane (blind spot detection). This warns them of vehicles approaching at a high rate of speed in the adjacent lane (lane change assist). When reversing, it warns of vehicles from either side approaching the rear of the vehicle (rear cross-traffic alert)
- Lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert
October 2017 saw the 2.0i-S ES Premium Model launched with Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist System. It offers four different types of driver assistance functions which reduce or circumvent collisions caused by driver error. It also reduces or circumvents collisions caused by driver fatigue. It detects the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards. The results play out in seven vehicle outputs: pre-collision braking; pre-collision throttle management; adaptive cruise control; lane sway warning and lane departure warning.
The interior of the Impreza is really impressive as it caters for the drivers needs in a way that places all the controls close at hand. The centre stack dominated but the new 8-inch LCD Infotainment screen allows:
- Access to a choice of connectivity options
- In-car applications and media options
SatNav is one of these applications, loaded with TomTom navigation software and functionality too. It’s a large, clear screen that is touch, swipe, pinch and pull-controlled, making it easy-to-use and very intuitive. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are available as one of the connectivity options while Siri Eyes Free allow the driver to direct functions using their voice,
while their hands remain on the wheel. The leather wheel itself is tilt/telescopically-adjustable and features the audio, cruise control and mobile phone controls.
What is really not nice about this model is the gearbox – lineartronic. It doesn’t, particularly when pushed hard, make for a smooth drive. It almost feels as if the clutch – in a manual box – is slipping. This detracts from an otherwise superb drive and notwithstanding its low power – 115kW – copes adequately.
Aside from that, and its stepping up in size, the Impreza works well for me
Specifications:
Engine: 2000cc naturally aspirated
Gearbox: 6 speed lineartronic / CVT
Power: 115kW@ 6000 / Torque 196@ 4200rpm
Warranty: 5 year / 150 000km
Maintenance plan: 5 year / 150 000km
The car has also scored 5-stars in the Euro NCAP and Australian ANCAP ratings.
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