The scheduled release of the 2012 Subaru Impreza is certainly a surprise, as Subaru usually waits for five years before updating its models. This time, however, Subaru introduced the fourth generation of the Impreza merely four years after the outgoing model was released and retained much of its exterior design.
The most notable upgrade of the 2012 Impreza is the range of engines–a 2.0-liter 4-boxer engine with 148 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. Both come with an optional Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission. Its fuel economy has improved by 30 percent, a clever innovation at a time when gas prices are considered by many to have become way too high. Its estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg in the highway. You can even get information about fuel economy through the multi-function display.
The exterior comes with a few tweaks, although none of it drastically drifts away from the previous Impreza. The new hexagonal grille design, hawk-eye headlights and alloy wheels in 15in, 16in and 17in variations are safe enhancements to the 2012 Impreza. And unless you’ve put to heart the specifics of the exterior, you might not even notice the wider bumper and the longer roofline of this new version. For those who already love the exterior of the previous Impreza, these improvements give a slightly sleeker look when compared to the old Impreza.
Inside, the differences between the new and old Impreza are much more apparent. It is much roomier and more comfortable, giving plenty of head room and shoulder space for the passengers. There are several compartments and an improved in-car console for your USB or MP3 player. Subaru says its interior is made of finer and sophisticated materials, which hopefully translates to a more pleasant journey for passengers and drivers alike. Judging by appearance alone, the designers did a lot of work with the interior of the Impreza. And it paid off, as the interior looks a lot more stylish and modern. The cargo space for both the sedan and hatch body styles has also increased. You can completely fold the rear seats to reveal a totally flat floor, giving enough space for luggage.
The safety and security system has vastly improved. That’s saying a lot, since the safety features of the outgoing Impreza weren’t all that bad in the first place. All models have standard airbags that include knee airbags, Vehicle Dynamics Control, an Anti-Lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist safety system.
With the release of the new Impreza roughly four years after the outgoing model, the question remains: is it bigger and better…or just bigger? The 2012 Impreza makes up for the lack of outstanding exterior improvements by developing its interior and safety features, while maintaining its reputation for easy maintenance and inexpensive replacement of parts and ease of other practicalities like windshield replacement. It’s not just bigger, it’s better as well.
