First Drive: 2012 Subaru Impreza [Review]

Subaru, one might say, is on a heck of a roll. The slightly offbeat automaker's market share today is double what it was just three years ago, but that doesn't mean that there weren't some weaknesses in its product portfolio.

Perhaps the brand's most glaring fault? A perpetually under-performing compact sedan that never had the features, the finish or the finesse to make segment rivals quiver.

That was then, and this is now. Subaru has introduced an all-new 2012 Impreza that makes enormous strides thanks to a newfound focus on what buyers actually seem to want in the segment: Few compromises.

Honing in on the numbers
While 40 mpg might be the industry's gold standard for highway fuel economy, Subaru is rightfully proud of a figure that's not quite so high: 36 mpg, a figure it attains with standard all-wheel-drive. No other car on the market uses less fuel to put power to all four wheels.

Subaru attained that impressive fuel economy figure by trimming and chopping away at both horsepower and curb weight. Under its hood, Impreza now packs a downsized - yep, you read that right - 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that cranks out 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft. of torque, a big dip from last year's 2.5-liter with 170 ponies and 170 lb-ft.

But before you write off the Impreza as a class weakling, consider this: It's faster than the old model thanks to a new continuously variable automatic transmission that replaces a downright antiquated four-speed slushbox. In addition, careful use of lightweight, high-strength steel has cut 165 lbs. from the outgoing car's curb weight even though exterior dimensions are essentially unchanged and a few features have been added. The result is a 0.3 second drop in the car's 0-60 sprint, to a very conservatively estimated 9.8 seconds.

That doesn't sound fast, but as we discovered during a spirited romp from New York City to the Berkshires in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the Impreza is certainly class-competitive. And we've heard rumors that the company's latest 2.5-liter could make its way into the Impreza soon.

Torque peaks at 4,200 rpm, but seems to be reasonably well spread across the range, so the CVT doesn't have to keep the revs up high. In urban driving, we the Impreza bolts along rapidly with none of the rubbery elasticity we've seen in other CVT-equipped cars. In suburban driving when nought to 45 mph stoplight sprints are the norm, the 2.0-liter spends more time above 3,000 rpm, where it sounds a little thrashy. For those who prefer to row it themselves, most models will include paddle shifters that actually do a convincing job of firing off rapid-fire "shifts" in rpms to approximate a sequential-style gearbox.

A five-speed stick is also available on all but the range-topping Limited models. We didn't have the opportunity to sample it, but we're told that the gearbox itself is unchanged, which means it will probably have a slightly grumpy second gear and a generally rubbery feel. Despite our qualms with the five-speed, Subaru actually sells a lot of shift-it-yourself Imprezas. We approve.

Electric power steering also saves weight and fuel. While not overly gifted with feel, the tiller was nicely weighted and consistent, unlike several of its class rivals (cough, cough Honda). Combined with a mostly-unchanged fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes (cough, cough Jetta) with requisite ABS and a retuned stability control, the Impreza proved downright entertaining through the underrated curvy roads we found. Body lean with the rear stabilizer bar standard on all but the low-volume base models is minimal and responses are borderline sporty. Likewise, the ride is firm without being harsh, although a brief off road jaunt - hey, it's a Subaru - proved that there's still the suspension travel the brand's active lifestyle-type buyers demand on their way to a favorite hiking trail.

Those active types will probably decry the loss of the modest-performing Outback Sport, a slightly raised model that Subaru never properly marketed. In its place is a new Impreza Sport model (pictured) that gets a few styling enhancements and a bigger roof rack, but no suspension modifications. The Sport moniker apparently has a different definition to Subaru. Note that a renamed version of the brand's Impreza XV show car will look at feel more like a mini Outback.

Otherwise, the Impreza returns with both four-door and five-door hatchback models. The styling is edgier and more compelling, in part to be more aerodynamic (hence the squared-off bumper corners) and in part to make buyers actually want one. Flared fenders brought down from Impreza's Legacy big brother seem better integrated here, and while we don't think this littlest Subaru is quite as interesting as what we're seeing out of Korea these days, it does finally have some style of its own.

The same story is true inside. Where rivals from everywhere but Detroit are rolling back the features and materials quality (talk about role reversal), the powers that be at Subaru have added soft-touch surfaces to the door panels and dashboard and fancy audio systems. The improvement doesn't quite vault Impreza ahead of the Chevrolet Cruze and Mazda3, but it's a solid effort. The dashboard itself is symmetrical and not overly styled, but controls are convenient and a quartet of new radios ranging from a fairly basic AM/FM/CD unit to a pair of vastly-improved touch-screen units with and without navigation are on offer. Unfortunately, sound quality is average at best; a premium-branded audio system would make a nice addition to the options list.

A meaty three-spoke steering wheel features cruise and audio controls on most models, although Sport Premiums don't get the leather wrapping that they really should. Front seats are nicely shaped if a little mushy when covered in standard cloth; we found the leather units to be a little firmer and more supportive. Heated seats are available on all but the base car, which doesn't even get cruise control.

Subaru has found two inches of extra leg room due in part to a one inch-longer wheelbase to create a spacious back seat that's certainly toward the top of the segment. Hatchbacks feature enlarged cargo space capable of storing two bicycles upright thanks to a scalloped headliner, while offer feature a nicely-finished trunk with less intrusive hinges than before.

Leftlane's bottom line
Subaru's more mainstream Impreza corrects nearly all of the outgoing model's deficits, but it doesn't water down the compact lineup's unique flavor. We could nitpick here and there, but the Impreza has finally become an absolute segment standout.

Leaps and bounds ahead of both its predecessor and many more established rivals, this four-door will undoubtedly help boost this still slightly offbeat brand's share even further. Put it on your shopping list if you're in the market for a full-flavored compact car

As seen on leftlanenews.com