2017 Subaru Impreza: More For Everyone
During the New York Auto Show, Subaru invited us to a very special presentation where they unveiled their 2017 Impreza, a replacement for their best-selling compact.
Saying the Impreza is popular in our market would be an understatement: its full-time AWD makes it unbeatable in winter conditions, it is pretty frugal (for an AWD vehicle) and the fact that you can get it with a hatchback makes it a clear choice for many buyers.
- Also: Why not a Subaru Sedan?
- Also: Subaru’s On A Roll
2017 is a big year for Subaru: not only did they unveil this new Impreza, but they are also launching its new platform, which will underpin every single Subaru product in the next few years. With a claimed 70% increase in rigidity and body roll reduced by half, this new chassis should increase the agility of future Subarus.
Impreza Sedan
The styling is the first thing you'll notice on the 2017 Impreza. While nobody will argue that this version is prettier than the one it replaces, its look is now closer to some of its rivals: during the first reveal, I heard comments comparing it to the Mazda3 and the Kia Forte.
The red sedan in the above pictures is the Sport variant. It comes with very good-looking 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, LED headlights, an eight-inch touchscreen as well as a little spoiler on the trunk.
Under the hood of every Imprezas will sit a 2.0-litre Boxer engine. Thanks to a new direct injection fuel delivery system, the powerplant now generates 152 horsepower. An automatic CVT is still offered, and the manual is set to return as well.
Impreza Wagon
The five-door Impreza will obviously be popular in Canada. With a total length of 4.46 metres and a height of 1.5 metres, it should be a versatile compact car. This version will also be more comfortable for rear passengers, thanks to improved headroom. The engine is the same 2.0-litre unit found in the sedan, and the fuel consumption numbers (which haven't been officially announced yet) shouldn't change much.
Subaru has big plans for the future: before the end of the year, they want to double the Impreza's production capacity (from 200 000 to 400 000). To do it, they will move its production to America, at their Lafayette, Indiana plant.
The 2017 Subaru Impreza should arrive in dealerships next fall.
- Check out our Subaru Zone
- Follow our coverage of the New York Auto Show