The Subaru Impreza has been a popular car in Australia and elsewhere around the world for many years. Despite this, the small car segment here is particularly competitive and demanding. The new 4th generation Impreza is now here, with a new specification and pricing structure. So, will this car be a hit with the Australian motoring public like its predecessors?
Competitive Pricing
Perhaps the only thing that gave a potential buyer cause for concern when considering an Impreza in the past was the price. There is no way around it; the Subaru Impreza was almost always more expensive than its rivals in days gone by. Subaru would argue that their extensive engineering and rallying experience was worth a premium. However, the Impreza is now a distinctive and separate brand that has deviated from its WRX roots, and as such it must stand on its own merits. As such, one of the first things that a potential buyer will notice is that the Impreza is now priced to be very competitive. As an example, the top of the range Impreza 2.0i-S Hatch is $27,400 which is a reduction of $3,590 over the outgoing model.
Value for Money
So what kind of specification is available on the 2016 Subaru Impreza? Well if we continue with the example of the Impreza 2.0i-S Hatch it’s quite impressive. There are features such as an eight way powered driver’s seat, leather seats, a sunroof, 17” alloy wheels and dual zone air conditioning. The centre console has had a substantial update with features such as a new 7” media screen, Satnav, Bluetooth audio streaming and a pair of USB ports. All this is in addition to the Subaru AWD system that is fitted as standard on all Impreza models. This puts the 2.0i-S Hatch on par with the Mazda 3 in terms of price and features. All of this is very impressive on a car that costs less than $30,000 and it represents tremendous value for money.
The Driving Experience
The ties to the rallying heritage are still there, and the Impreza is fantastic to drive. The horizontally opposed 2.0L four cylinder boxer engine is the same as the outgoing model. It does its job well, generating 110kW of power and 196 Nm of torque. The engine sits low in the car, and along with the AWD system, it adds a level of stability that other cars in this class lack. The gearbox is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that works efficiently, but unsurprisingly lacks the feedback experienced in the sportier WRX. The fuel economy has been stated as 6.8L/100km, but it is actually closer to 7.0L/100km combined.
If they would like to know more about the Subaru Impreza, Australia based drivers should contact us. We have a wide variety of Impreza models available, with prices starting from only $21,990 plus onroads. If you book a test drive with us online today, you will receive a full tank of fuel, 12 months of roadside assistance and a set of floor mats for free, when you purchase your new Subaru Impreza. Get in touch with us today and we will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
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