Review of the new Subaru Impreza Range

Bigger inside, lighter, of higher quality, more spacious and more aerodynamic, today's Subaru Impreza has definitely progressed. You can even get a diesel version. The only thing is that it just doesn't look like an Impreza any more. The car's enthusiast following may find it hard to adjust to this but beneath the new generation car's more generic family hatch shape lie the same all-wheel-drive mechanicals and high-spec chassis that made the Impreza great. Buyers can choose sedate normally-aspirated engines or a head-banger turbo unit according to taste.

For a long time, the Impreza was all about the range-topping turbocharged models, the normally-aspirated alternatives apparently tacked on as an afterthought. Variously badged WRX and STI, the quick Imprezas felt like they'd just rumbled off a rally stage onto the public highway. Delivering degrees of brutal acceleration and tenacious grip from their all-wheel-drive underpinnings, these Imprezas underlined their capabilities out on the streets with burbling exhausts, snarling air-intakes and super-aggressive spoilers. The concept targeted a certain group of buyers and those buyers lapped it up. The car has been a success for Subaru but at the same time, its appeal was limited by the rally-replica image. With the emphasis of the current range shifted in a more conservative, family-friendly direction, the hope is that the Impreza can spread its wings and boost its sales performance.

Previous Impreza engine line-ups have tended to be rather top heavy with searing performance prioritised over affordability and running costs. Today's line-up is far more in-keeping with the norm in the family hatchback sector, although the standard all-wheel-drive transmission and multi-link rear suspension mean this isn't your average family hatchback by any means. Big news is the availability of diesel at last, a 150PS 2.0-litre unit. Otherwise, it's petrol power all the way. The 106bhp 1.5-litre engine opens proceedings and above it sits a 2.0-litre unit with 148bhp. Both engines do with out the Subaru trademark turbocharger but employ twin overhead camshafts and the Active Valve Control System that adjusts the combustion process according to the driver's throttle inputs.

"Beneath the unassuming exterior, the Impreza retains its driver focus."

These are modern engines but with 0-60mph sprint times of 13.7s and 9.2s respectively, they don't yield the kind of performance we've come to associate with the Impreza. For that kind of shove, you'll need the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine in the WRX. Here, there's 227bhp which is enough for a 0-60mph showing of 6.1s. All the engines have been tuned to give improved low-end torque for a smoother driving experience. In the WRX, the vast majority of the 320Nm maximum torque is available at 2,000rpm. If you need more, there's the 296 WRX STi model at the top of the range.

Subaru's favoured horizontally-opposed 'Boxer' engine layout is employed across the Impreza line-up. It produces a low centre of gravity in the car helping the latest Impreza retain its high levels of grip and steering accuracy while minimising body roll. From the 2.0-litre models upwards, all models get an anti-roll bar and the SVDC dynamics control package as an extra safety net should the full-time all-wheel-drive transmission system relinquish its hold on the road. Under normal conditions, drive is split 50/50 between the front and rear axles in the manual cars (60/40 in the automatic) but a centre differential with viscous coupling diverts torque to the axle with most grip to reduce wheelspin. The WRX and STi models also feature a mechanical limited-slip differential between the rear wheels.

In the UK, the Impreza was always either a saloon or a five-door Sport Wagon that trod the line between hatchback and estate but now it's only offered as a conventional five-door hatch. The car is 45mm wider than the old Sport Wagon and has 95mm extra in the wheelbase. This brings a useful increase in interior space that will go down well with family buyers, as will the more compact rear suspension design which facilitates an increase in boot space to 301 litres. Despite these advantages, many will still mourn the passing of the distinctive saloon bodystyle. The booted shape always served to mark the high-performance Imprezas out as something over and above a mere hot-hatchback.

The sleeker shape contrasts strongly with old Imprezas that always look like they're trying to devour the air ahead rather than slice efficiently through it. The side skirts and spoilers on the WRX models do sharpen-up that sporty edge but ultimately, you could be looking at almost any warmed-over shopping hatch. There's nothing about the car's appearance that overtly pokes you in the eye and shouts Impreza! At least the interior is a big step forward. The tough plastics and staid design of the old car have finally been axed in favour of the better quality materials and modern layout in this model. It's still some distance off the best family hatchback protagonists but it's a big improvement for Subaru.

Today's Impreza range is clearly split between maniac performance models and sensible family cars. The five-door bodystyle means that the car is inevitably going to be compared with the leading family hatchbacks where the saloon and estate Impreza range of yore always resisted classification because there was nothing else quite like it. It is important to remember that with its 4x4 transmission, the Impreza is still quite unlike other family hatchbacks and much of its success may hinge on whether the market deems all-wheel-drive a sufficiently desirable feature in this type of car. At around £20,000, the WRX goes straight up against the top hot hatchbacks. Above it sits the entry-level £26,000 STi version.

The specification looks generous across the range. Aside from the all-wheel-drive issue, all models get alloy wheels, climate control, a CD stereo, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, fog lamps, electric windows and a vehicle information display. The airbag quotient is also good, with side front and curtain 'bags on all models. The 2.0-litre models can also be obtained in RX trim which adds various exterior styling accessories including larger 17" alloy wheels. It also enhances the equipment list with keyless entry, a starter button, cruise control and a 10-speaker stereo system. The WRX model features all of the above plus xenon headlamps, a six-disc auto changer and more aggressive styling.

Family hatchback buyers bent on achieving ultimate fuel economy tend to pick diesel engines and these days, they can have one in the Impreza. The 150PS Boxer 2.0D version manages 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and 155g/km of CO2. Otherwise, petrol buyers can expect average economy from the modern non-turbocharged petrol engines and the kind of thirst you'd expect in a top-end performance hatchback from the WRX. 37.7mpg is the stated average for the 1.5-litre car, the 2.0-litre engine manages 33.6mpg and the 2.5T unit in the WRX does 27.2mpg. In terms of CO2 emissions, the WRX produces a hefty 246g/km, the 2.0 is rated at 194g/km and the 1.5-litre engine produces 176g/km.

Subaru hasn't been afraid to change a highly popular and successful formula in creating the latest Impreza. The emphasis of the model range has shifted from hardcore rally-replicas to affordable family hatchbacks, opening up a new and larger market but potentially disappointing the enthusiast fan base in the process. In this more congested market sector, the Impreza's bland styling and lack of a diesel engine will hold it back but the all-wheel-drive underpinnings, generous specifications and attractive prices make it an unusual and appealing choice. Happily, the WRX and STi models look set to remain the performance bargains they traditionally have been.

The raw aggression commonly associated with Subaru Imprezas down the years has been massaged out of this car but only to a degree. Beneath the unassuming exterior, the Impreza retains its driver focus with a properly high-spec chassis and 4x4 transmission system. The normally-aspirated engines, big boot and spacious cabin mean it should serve well as a family runabout but the underlying ability is in place to get the best from the turbocharged powerplant in the range-topping models.

TOP 3 IMPREZA DEALS

The results below show the top IMPREZA deals on buyacar

Subaru Impreza 2.0 RC 5dr Hatchback
Price £18,825 Read Impreza Reviews	Save £630
Subaru Impreza 1.5 RC 5dr Hatchback
Price £16,977 Read Impreza Reviews	Save £428
Subaru Impreza 2.0 RC 5dr Auto Hatchback
Price £19,720 Read Impreza Reviews	Save £735
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT IMPREZA DEALS