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The Subaru Impreza gets a full redesign for 2012 in the hopes that it can move beyond the mediocrity of the last generation. The last Impreza easily blended in with other compacts, and its attempts to soften Subaru’s image angered plenty of its long-time fans. The sedan especially lost its character in the redesign, and although performance was broadly similar, Subaru fans were vocal in their displeasure.

FAST FACTS
1. Subaru is famous for its standard all-wheel drive across the board, and the Impreza is no exception.

2. A 2.0L boxer 4-cylinder replaces the old 2.5L engine. Power is down, but the new Impreza’s 150 lb weight loss helps offset the deficit.

3. The reduction in power means much improved fuel economy; 24/34 mpg with the stick shift and 27/36 mpg with the CVT.

4. Pricing starts at $17,495 for a base model to $21,595 for a loaded sedan.

The new Impreza’s sharper lines wil...

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The all-new Impreza arrives shortly and the two big questions are, “does its smaller engine detract from the driving experience?” and “is the new grille better than the last one?”

Okay, I jest a bit regarding question number two, but Subaru does have grille (and overall styling) issues, changing them quite frequently and never really getting it right.

The more important consideration is the engine, which is reduced in size from 2.5 litres to 2.0 litres, with horsepower down from 170 to 148, and torque down from 170 pound-feet to 145. You’d expect the 2012 Impreza to be less responsive and slower overall, but that’s not the case. The electric power steering is quick, the car is nimble, and acceleration seems unaffected. “Comparable to the outgoing Impreza,” says Subaru Canada, and that was my experience behind the wheel.


2012 Subaru Impreza. Click image to enlarge
The chassis in this version is sti...

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THERE are so many Subarus here in northern New Hampshire that people joke about it being the official state car. But the owners don’t joke about their fuel economy, which pretty much stinks.

This consumer displeasure has not escaped the attention of Subaru, which concedes that lackluster gas mileage has cost it sales. The company finally addressed the issue when it redesigned the midsize Legacy and Outback for 2010, and it has followed up by greatly improving the mileage of the redesigned 2012 Impreza compact.

The new Impreza sedan with an automatic transmission is rated at 36 miles per gallon on the highway, a whopping 38 percent increase from last year’s figure of 26 m.p.g. The city mileage estimate has jumped to 27 m.p.g., from 20 m.p.g., a leap of 35 percent.

The gains also make the Impreza the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle sold in the United States. Its closest competitor is the 2012 Mini ...

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Time to configure your 2012 Subaru Impreza!

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http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/impreza/build.html

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The all-new Subaru Impreza has taken significant steps forward in efficiency, quality and overall refinement.

The fourth-generation Impreza sedan and hatch go on sale in Australia in early-March 2012, at which time it will become the first mainstream small car to come with stop/start engine technology across the range. The new feature is among a number of enhancements to the 2012 Subaru Impreza that make it at least 20 per cent more fuel efficient that the model it replaces.

The new Impreza uses 6.8-7.1 litres/100km on the combined cycle – a significant improvement over the previous model’s 8.8-8.9 litres/100km efforts, and one that brings it much closer to the economy leaders in the small-car class.

The increased focus on improving the efficiency of the traditional Boxer petrol engine means a diesel-powered Impreza has been placed on the backburner. Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior admitted th...