What kind of drivers drive Subarus? Well, from what I know - drivers who are highly practical and want a 'safe bet' for their driving dollar. Thus, in the past, such drivers did not seem to mind if their Subarus were a bit low on style or even if some aspects of the cars were a bit out of the automotive mainstream.
However, not only has Subaru maintained its practical and 'safe bet' transportation status, but the automaker is adding style to its vehicles and gaining mainstream appeal. And such is the case with the 2012 Subaru Impreza.
So, what does the new five-passenger Impreza have to offer?
The car is available in a four-door sedan or five door hatchback/wagon.
The engine is now a redesigned 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder providing 148 hp and 145 ft. lb. of torque. The engine in the last Impreza model was a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder making 170 hp and 170 ft. lb. of torque. The transmission in this Subaru is an all-wheel drive (one of the best AWD systems in the business) five-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic (CVT). The car's 0-60 mph time is in 9.8 seconds. Of note is that by using a smaller engine and high strength steel for the car's body, the engineers were able to utilize a smaller fuel tank thus allowing a flat cargo floor in the hatchback version of the car. And the end result? The Impreza is the same size on the outside as the last model but it has more interior room.
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The Impreza's windshield is well raked. The car's hood is short and wide giving the front a solid appearance. The grille has a pleasing shape and the headlights fit in nicely. The lower air dam and spoiler treatment add additional styling. The car's side profile includes cut lines at the top and the bottom of the doors. Additionally, the glass outline is clean and distinctive. At the rear the lines are crisp with solid shapes. Overall, the Impreza is understated but pleasing to the eye. The car's wheelbase measures 104.1 inches.
The interior of this Subaru is now more upscale. The dash is covered in attractive soft-touch materials. On Impeza's with the navigation system, the travel route planned provides excellent detail. The front seats are supportive, comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment. The rear leg room is adequate and the 60/40 split folding rear seat folds flat.
The brakes are discs at each corner measuring 11.7 inches at the front and 11.3 inches at the rear. The Impreza's 60-0 mph stopping distance is in 120 feet. The tires measure 195 65 15 inch.
The suspension contains of MacPherson struts up front combined with coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar. The setup at the rear includes double wishbones combined with coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
Standard features on the Impreza include remote keyless entry, air conditioning, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, front reading lights, cruise control, outside temperature indicator, 80 watt AM/FM radio with CD player (reads MP3 format) with four speakers, power door locks, windows and mirrors, tire pressure monitor, two 12 volt power outlets, truck light, and interior micro air filter.
Safety features on the Impreza include ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction and stability control, driver and passenger air bags, front side air bags, driver knee air bag, front and rear side curtain air bags, and child seat anchors.
On the road the Impreza provides sure-footed handling due to the engine's low center of gravity and its all-wheel drive system. The chassis provides a feeling of security in all driving situations. Back road storming is no problem and the car's ride quality on the highway is good. And best of all for those who are 'practical,' the Impreza can handle any kind of weather conditions!
The fuel rating of the new Impreza is 27 city and 36 mpg highway. This mileage is the best in class regarding all-wheel drive passenger vehicles.
The base price of the 2012 Subaru Impreza is $17,495. This is one of the least expensive all-wheel drive vehicles available. The automaker basically kept the price of the new Impreza the same as the previous model but built a better car.
If you are a driver who likes practicality, good engineering, and some attractive styling along with best in the business resale value, the Subaru dealer is waiting for you. The 2012 Subaru Impreza - a car done very well indeed!
As read on www.examiner.com
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