Car Review: 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sedan

The 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sedan Review

Full Review by Andy: Moving Mainstream

What’s the difference between revolution and evolution? One letter, and success. The Subaru Impreza compact sedan is all-new for 2012. The redesign is an alleged revolution, bringing the geeky Subie one step closer to its goal of competing head-to-head with class leaders like the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. Certainly, many things are different: an all-new engine, fresh bodywork, and a redesigned interior. But has the Impreza merely evolved, or has it been completely transformed?

Exterior
If shoppers are looking for high style with the Impreza name, they are going to have to upgrade to the high-performance WRX trim. Otherwise, the car’s design isn’t its strong point. The 2012 Impreza Sedan is not fashionable by any means, as the sedate lines convey little sense of flair or flamboyance.

Interior
Time after time, pundits praise the Impreza sedan’s revamped interior. The clean, modern styling is simultaneously intricate and comprehensible; cubbies and controls are all easily accessed and used. A split dash houses a central control cluster and a shallow instrument panel. While not ground-breaking, the Impreza’s striking and user-friendly design is a big step above Imprezas of the past.

Packin’ a Powertrain
Bid adieu to the old 2.5-liter boxer and say hello to Subaru’s latest horizontally-opposed creation: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 148 horsepower. Just 148 horsepower, you say? If you are so disappointed, consider turning your gaze from the speedometer to the fuel meter. With the optional continuously variable transmission, the Impreza 2.0i achieves 36 mpg on the highway. That makes the newest Baby Subie the most efficient gasoline-powered AWD-equipped car in North America.

Driveline Performance
The Impreza sedan was born for black ice, snow drifts, and gravel backroads. If the weather is good, the Subie is unhappy. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive, it comes alive when the weather storms in from hell. But there is a problem. The chassis is, if anything, overqualified, but the real elephant in the room is Impreza’s new naturally-aspirated boxer-4 engine. It gets 22 fewer horsepower than the outgoing engine, which negative affects acceleration and low-end power. Subaru still promises that, equipped with the CVT, the Impreza can blitz to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds, but FWD competitors often have 0 to 60 sprints in the low eights. In mountainous terrain, the Impreza’s overworked heart may give out on steep grades. Nonetheless, compared to the Suzuki SX4, the 2012 Impreza is the best all wheel drive-equipped compact car.

Safety Information
The Subaru Impreza is well-equipped and includes a driver knee airbag, front active head restraints, daytime running lights, and four-wheel disc brakes. Every Subaru model, including the Impreza sedan, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012.

Comfort & Cargo
“Better than before, but not good enough,” is an apt phrase for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. It beats its predecessor in nearly every category, but it struggles to win over Civic, Corolla, or Focus fans. If there’s one thing besides AWD to help its case, it’s the cabin. Six-footers can sit up front and in back, a rarity in the compact car class. Visibility is superb. The Impreza has a larger-than-average 12-cubic foot trunk, which is easily accessed via a large and unobstructed opening.

Feature Highlights
The 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i sedan is available in three trims: base ($17,495), Premium ($18,795) and Limited ($21,595).

The base Impreza has just enough features to keep you from pulling your hair out. Keyless entry? Check. A/C? Check. A basic 4-speaker sound system? Check. But the best features don’t debut until the Premium trim, which adds cruise control, Bluetooth, a six-speaker audio system with USB/iPod interface, and the all-important front-center armrest. The Limited has heated mirrors and heated front seats, optional on the Premium, along with leather upholstery, a touchscreen audio interface, HD radio, automatic climate control, and other functions. The Hyundai Elantra and Chevy Cruze offer far more and far better standard features.

Tidbit Trio:
1. The 2012 WRX is not based on the redesigned Impreza.
2. The four-speaker sound system is terrible.
3. The manual transmission and CVT use two different all-wheel drive systems.

The Subaru Impreza has been revolutionized. But outsiders are unlikely to start waving the flag of the Pleiades star cluster. The Impreza is a superb compact car, but its trump card is still AWD. Other FWD competitors offer more standard features, more power, similar fuel efficiency, and similar accommodations. Need AWD? Then you need the Impreza sedan. Otherwise, go back to the class leaders.

Details:
Engine: 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder
Horsepower & Torque: 148 hp @6,200 rpm, 145 @4,200 rpm
Transmission: five-speed manual, CVT
Drivetrain: AWD
Fuel Economy: 27/36 mpg (CVT), 25/34 mpg (manual)
Base MSRP: $17,495
0 to 60 time: 9.8 seconds (with CVT)

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