Subaru Impreza test drive since 2007 sedan

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New generation Subaru Impreza Review

It was very pleasant to attend the presentation of the new model and not to hear in the speech of representatives the best in the classroom every two words. The simple truth lies in the fact that the new Subaru Impreza 2012 did not receive anything better in its class of power, fuel consumption, or even guarantee. The main aspect that allocates a new Impreza from a host of competitors is a full -wheel drive in the standard configuration of the Subaru chip (at least until the rear -wheel drive BZR is released).

Having equipped Impreza with all -wheel drive in the basic configuration, Subaru hopes to achieve a single epithet the best in his class regarding control. With the help of a new 2-liter four-cylinder engine with an opposite location of Subaru, the car wants to offer a car in such a configuration so that it is most attractive in terms of controllability in its segment. In addition, if after some time this model becomes a base for hotter WRX and STI, it would be nice for the original car to retain at least some attractiveness for customers. To find out if this is so, we hit the road to ride the hills of the States of New York and Connecticut.

Let's be honest. Subaru cars have never been famous for its special beauty, and Impreza 2012, although being clear progress against the background of the previous model, is unlikely to be recognized at some design competition. Frankly, the appearance of the new Impreza disappointed us, especially when you consider that the Impreza concept, presented at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, looked very attractive.

And yet, as we have already said, the 2012 model looks better when compared with the car, which she came. The front part became a little more aggressive thanks to the appearance of sharp corners in the headlights, and enlarged fog lights diluted in the corners complement the main head of the optics. The new false reducer of the radiator is very similar to the 2010 Legacy lattice, it will also be on the subsequent models of the concern.

We looked at the five -door Impreza Sport all day from all sides, and even the fact that from our point of view this type of body needs to be bought will not force us to say that it looks better than a sedan. At the hatchback, the square rear part looks more drawn, and although Subaru designers swear that this was done for the sake of improving the body aerodynamics, we would prefer more smooth lines. The design of the rear third of the body is such that a comparison with Pontiac Vibe 2009 is not excluded.

Subaru designers added a hatchback and Impreza sedan more worked out wheel arches, somewhat reminiscent of Legacy arches. They claim that this was done in order to stylistically emphasize the car belonging to the family of all -wheel drive. In our opinion, this can only work if there are large wheels in these arches. For example, those 17-inch cast discs shod in 205/50 tires, which are equipped with a car who came to our test, looked very appropriate.

The new Impreza did not become wider or longer in comparison with the model that replaces, but its base has become 2.5 cm longer. Subaru claims that this allowed to add 5 cm for the legs of passengers in the back seat, which ultimately provides them with 87.5 cm of legs spaces, just like in a capacious Chevrolet Cruze. The most noticeable change in the cabin, which we noted, was how spacious it seems if you look from the front seats. A relatively low security belt mount means that you will not have a feeling of sitting in the bathroom, although many modern models receive just such a landing. Well, at the expense of a pair of small improvements, such as fastening the side mirrors of the rear view, not to the front racks, but to the door, visibility has significantly improved. Even the author of the article, possessing not the most outstanding growth (1.7 m), easily found a convenient position in the driver’s chair with a maximum review.

Most of all in the interior of the new Impreza, we like simplicity and accuracy, from the front panel to the central console with the radio receiver. Even cars equipped with a navigation system are not overloaded with numerous buttons and switches. The instrumental panel is decorated very carefully and logical, the readings of sensors and devices are read without difficulty. Having studied them once, you will not have to peer later to understand where what.

Those who often have to transport a lot of baggage will appreciate the capacity of the five -door Impreza with folded rear seats of its trunk is 1483 liters. This is a better indicator of the predecessor for 113 liters and 215 liters of fifty-door Ford Focus 2012. In addition, niches and compartments for trifles are located throughout the cabin, and avid subarovs even claim that 38 CDs can be placed in front ... If you have if you have Of course, so much will be typed.

In general, it was in the Subaru Impreza 2012 salon that we found the bulk of positive changes in terms of quality. From the point of view of design, the salon is neat and even sophisticated, at the same time very adult and ingenuous against the background of competitors in this segment (khe-khe, focus, khe-khe). Designers added a little pleasant to the touch of the materials in the finish of the dashboard and the door inserts, and although it looks pretty pretty, the Cruze interior seems more complex and sophisticated (the same can be said in relation to Focus, to be honest with themselves). Little things such as the climate control system buttons in Impreza still seem cheap, as well as the plastic of the steering wheel, even in the top equipment LI

The only available Subaru Impreza 2012 motor is a new 2-liter unit with opposite four cylinders with a capacity of 148 hp. (196 Nm Twisting moment). And this is strange, because these data indicate the loss of 22 horses and 33.8 nm against the background of a 2.5-liter predecessor, but due to the fact that the new Impreza it dropped about 50 kg, depending on the configuration, it should be faster, Although we attribute this agility to the settings of the work of the variator or motor. Impreza can be equipped with both a new variator and a traditional five -speed mechanics, although Limited equipment will be produced only with a variator. The variator used for Impreza differs from what is installed on Legacy and Outback: according to representatives of the car concerns, this is due to the fact that this transmission is specifically configured for the features of the new motor.

Of course, speaking of Impreza, we cannot help but mention the WRX, and while the new WRX is not planned to release, the rally fans can only wait. This two-liter engine can be optimized for work without a boost, but Subaru director for public relations told us that Subaru will always be a turbo company, so we can wait for a forced version of this power unit with a capacity of 270 hp. Well, we are looking forward to.

Since this engine was allegedly tuned to obtain the main amount of traction in the lower and middle ranges of the tachometer, the maximum 196 Nm are achieved only after a mark of 4,200 revolutions per minute. During the test, we managed to drive around New England only while driving Impreza with CVT, and, as expected, its behavior was no different from similar cars of other manufacturers. The motor briskly spins up to 4,000 revolutions, freezes at this mark, and weakens as soon as you reach the coveted cruising speed. No, Impreza is not lost in the road flow, but sometimes when driving under the mountain I would like to get more traction on the lowered. The vehicles equipped with a variator are equipped with a petal speed with petal switches (six conditional gears) mounted on the steering column. We experimented with them a little and found out: no matter what speed you choose, press the gas pedal to the floor, the tachometer arrow takes off to the mark of 4000 rpm and stops there, as if dug. That is, all this is absolutely pointless.

We talked with the guys who managed to test the option with a mechanical gearbox, and did not hear particularly enthusiastic reviews from them. First of all, the problem with low -speed traction becomes even more obvious when you have to switch speeds yourself. We have to switch down very often, one of his colleagues shared with us with his observations. We will wait for the official summing up of the testing results before we sit down on the handle, but the prospect is not very rainbow, I must say.

Reducing weight and power made it possible to increase the overall efficiency, so that from all -wheel drive Impreza can achieve expenses in the region of 6.5 liters per 100 km of run along the highway. This makes it the most economical all-wheel drive car in the class, so what, nevertheless, it was not possible to get rid of cliche the best in its class? Impreza 2012 with a mechanical gearbox eats about 9.4 l/100 km in the city and 6.9 liters per hundred along the highway. This is close to a magical mark of 5.8 liters, which was reached by Ford, Hyundai and Chevrolet, but still not quite, although the result for a car with a constant drive for all four wheels is very good.

There is only the question of whether a new model will be less powerful and with a slow variator, as fascinating as the previous one, on interesting roads.

Impreza is equipped with a front suspension on the racks of MacPherson and the lower levers, a multi -link system behind. In combination with the Subaru symmetrical all -wheel drive system, such a suspension makes the car balanced on any type of road surface. As a result, Impreza provides a soft pleasant ride without excessive stiffness and noise on bumps. The fact that the torque is supplied to all the wheels gives the steering Impreza confidence, and despite the fact that this car cannot be called sports, he does not fail his owner, no matter what situation he is.

The 2012 model received a new system of electronic steering wheel amplifier, thanks to the pursuit of efficiency. And if many similar systems sin by the fact that the steering wheel because of them seems alien and even nervous, Subaru managed to avoid this steering wheel Impreza 2012 confident, understandable and well-balanced.

In an accessible price range for us, the leadership among the cars that are interested in managing Mazda 3 belongs, and if we had to choose which of the two is better on such a road, Subaru, at least, would not have hit the mud and turned out to be no less exciting than Mazda (if you trust our memories). Yes, we would not refuse to increase in power on the bottoms, and we are not enthusiastic about the new variator, but in the issue of improving Subaru suspension, it was really good for the new Impreza. In general, Subaru Impreza 2012 is well controlled, you feel confident behind her steering wheel, against the background of many competitors, for example, Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta, she makes the impression of a much more sophisticated and thoughtful car.

Despite all the changes, the price of Impreza 2012 remained at the 2011 model level the cost of the car in the basic configuration with four doors starts with $ 17,495, an additional door (hatchback) will cost $ 500 on top. You can choose one of the three options for the base, Premium and Limited. If you take the maximum, then Impreza Sport Limited with a variator will cost $ 22,595.

Subaru Impreza has never been a bestseller, Outback, Legacy and Forester always ahead of it by several points in sales ratings. Actually, no one expects that the 2012 model will cause such a sales growth as the new budget Jetta from VW, or surprising many Chevrolet Cruze. By releasing Impreza 2012, Subaru offered customers a more sophisticated, economical and stylish car in return for the outgoing model.

If we talk about the most fascinating in terms of controllability of cars in the classroom, Impreza would not have become one number in our ranking, although it approached the leaders. Those who already have Impreza have a new car should like it, connoisseurs of savings will also pay attention to it, especially those who live in cold regions. This car does not promise you the best efficiency in the class, technological or exceptional beauty of forms. Subaru Impreza 2012 is an honest car that will provide you with confidence on the road.

The main characteristics of Subaru Impreza:
Engine: 2.0 liters, four -cylinder opposition
Power/moment: 148 hp / 196 Nm
Transmission: CVT variator
Drive: complete
Mass: 1364 kg
Number of places: 2+3
Capacity: 1483 l
Fuel consumption: 8.7 l/100 km city, 6.5 l/100 km track
The approximate cost of the basic configuration in the USA: $ 17 995