2015 Subaru Impreza: Thank Goodness For Winter!

Let’s be honest. The Subaru Impreza is not the eighth wonder of the world. Nor is it the ninth. Nonetheless, this compact sedan is almost perfectly adapted to our Northern climate—and the ability to adapt is what allows a species to survive.

The fourth-generation Impreza was introduced at the 2011 New York Auto Show and hit the market as the 2012 model. Some people decried the fact that its lines were generic and its engine had lost a few horsepower. And yet, Subaru knew what they were doing. Its compact sedan—and the hatchback version that is the most popular Impreza in Canada—are selling like hotcakes. In fact, 2014 sales are up over 2013. It seems that a lot of buyers could care less about a few lost ponies or distinctly non-Ferrari lines. Efficiency is the name of the game. A 458 Italia in six inches of snow isn’t very useful, is it?

• Also: 2014 Subaru Impreza: Frugal All-Wheel Drive
• Also: Pricing For The 2016 Subaru Impreza

The proof is in the pudding

The Impreza was due for some mid-generation modifications, and true to tradition, Subaru shied away from making any dramatic changes. The front bumper and grille have been gently tweaked. The 2015 model has a chrome “L” on either side that looks a little like a hockey stick. That’s the best way to tell the 2015 model apart from the 2014. The headlamps are unchanged, though a bit more powerful. In the rear, a spoiler has been tacked on to all Impreza sedans to improve the aerodynamics (if not the appearance) and the air diffuser is different. There are also new wheels on offer.

As is often the case, the thing that has changed most is the dashboard. It’s not night and day, just a few welcome adjustments. If you already drive a 2015 Outback or Legacy, you’ll find the Impreza’s new gauges and steering wheel oddly familiar. At the very least, Subaru corrected the most important glitch on the previous version, which was the radio. At last the Impreza has a modern and user-friendly device with real, round buttons. So long, radio from the 1960s! Ok, 1990s, to be fair. The base trims, the Touring and Sport, now have a 6.2-inch inch screen but no GPS, while the Limited has a 7-inch screen with GPS. By adding the Technology Package, you get the EyeSight safety system, which uses two cameras to prevent collisions. A lot of effort has gone into making the car quieter, from adjusting the mechanics to adding insulation in certain spots. Unfortunately, this means that the car now weighs about 50 kilograms more than before.

Subtle differences in the mechanics

As for the mechanics, they're much of the same—or just about. Many tiny adjustments were made to the engine and CVT to reduce friction and fuel consumption. The Impreza’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine now meets Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards. It still delivers 148 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 145 lbs.-ft. at 4,200 rpm, and it’s still mated to a continuously variable transmission that simulates six speeds. Good news for manual fans: all versions of the Impreza now offer it.

We were given the chance to test the “new” Impreza in the gorgeous Kelowna area in British Columbia, where the windy roads are impeccably maintained. I’d be lying if I said that the 2015 model was significantly improved over the 2012, 2013 or 2014. However, the different versions we tested (base, Limited, sedan and five-door) were all more quiet and comfortable than their predecessors.

Having recently driven the Legacy and Outback, I felt right at home in the Impreza. The seats haven’t changed, and that’s a good thing. They could offer better thigh support, but overall they are very comfortable. I found that the leather seats in the Limited were a touch too slippery; I preferred the fabric instead.

A good CVT!

As you might have guessed, the engine isn’t super powerful, but it does the trick. I didn’t get the chance to measure its performance numbers, but they must be very similar to what they were last year (0-100 km/h in 11.1 seconds and 80-120 km/h in 7.6, with the CVT). Even though continually variable transmissions tend to get a bad rap, I’ll admit that I didn’t find the Impreza’s too bad; it was better than the one in the Nissan Altima. At 100 km/h, it spins the engine to 1,800 rpm. Meanwhile, the manual enhances the fun factor, even though it’s a little too loose for my taste. But I understand that Subaru can’t afford to equip the Impreza with a transmission that shifts as well as the one in the STi.

The Subaru name is forever tied to all-wheel drive (except for the BRZ sports car). In summer, this permanent AWD system is perfectly transparent. During out test session, Subaru planned a portion of the drive in a snowy parking lot (oh yes, there was plenty of snow in the -12°C temperatures of the Okanagan mountains). Here, the four powered wheels demonstrated their superiority once again, despite the all-season tires. However, the various traction and stability control devices were audible and even intrusive, though they never intervened prematurely or too abruptly.

As we speak, the 2015 Impreza is rolling into dealerships. The manual sedan starts at $19,995. The Touring package starts at $21,695, the Sport at $23,895, and the Limited at $26,895. The five-door model costs an additional $900 and the CVT costs $1,300.

Subaru doesn’t plan on revolutionizing the world with the 2015 Impreza. The compact vehicle still blends into a crowd and delivers an unexceptional ride. But it’s comfortable and good on gas. And most importantly, it’s got terrific all-wheel drive that everyone loves, especially in winter.