Subaru Impreza – Prices, History, Engine, Interior & Exterior, Features, Highlights

Introduction

Subaru Impreza is a car manufactured by the Japanese car manufacturer Subaru since 1992. Subaru Impreza comes in as a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and a two-door coupe (produced from 1995-2001).

First-Generation Subaru Impreza (2000 Model)

The Engine & Transmission

The first-generation Subaru Impreza was manufactured between the years 1992 and 2000. The Subaru Impreza was introduced in late 1992 and was available in several markets by mid-1993. The Subaru Impreza came in seven variants the LX (FWD), GL, Sport, 4wd Turbo, 22B, Terzo, and P1. Engine choices include the 1.5-liter (EJ15), the 1.6-liter (EJ16), the 1.8-liter (EJ18), the 2.0-liter (EJ20), and the turbocharged 2.0-liter (EJ20-T). Early variants of the Impreza had only a 4WD drivetrain, later a two-wheel-drive option was added with the option of a 4-speed automatic CVT transmission or a 5-speed manual.

In 1994 a more significant four-wheel-drive 2.0-liter turbo variant was introduced. It was a road-going version of the famous Impreza rally car and was an instant hit. By late 1995 new 2.0-liter variants were introduced while the 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter were slowly phased out as they were not famous. From this point on, all Imprezas were 4WD and in March 1996 a popular sports model was added to the market to suit the market segment between the GL and the turbo. It had the turbo’s looks but with the performance of the GL. In 1997 and 1998 there were some models introduced with minor changes, but the most significant was the 2000 2-door British-developed P1.

Second-Generation Subaru Impreza (2005 Sedan Model)

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The Engine & Transmission

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The Subaru Impreza Second generation was fitted with either a 1.5-liter (EJ15), 1.6-liter (EJ16), 2.0-liter (EJ20) engine choices commonly found on the TS, R, and GX variants, while the turbocharged 2.0-liter (EJ20-T), and the turbocharged 2.5-liter (EJ25-T) turbo engines were used on the WRX, WRX STI variants. These engines were paired with either a 4-speed CVT automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Interior & Exterior

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The Second-generation Subaru Impreza was produced between the years 2000 and 2007. The first Subaru Impreza of this generation was introduced in the last quarter of the year 2000 in Japan and was famously given the nickname “New-Age”. On this new model, an increase in body size was witnessed, with an increased body length and width creating more cabin space, the front seats were elevated a bit to give better legroom for the rear passengers. In this generation, the Coupe production was dropped and the production of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback continued. 

Third-Generation Subaru Impreza (2007 Hatchback Model)

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The third-generation Subaru Imprezas were produced from the year 2007 to the year 2011 (2014 WRX). On the 2nd of April 2007 at the New York Auto Show, Subaru revealed two versions of the third-generation Imprezas, namely the standard non-turbocharge Impreza and the turbocharged WRX.

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Whenever Subaru Impreza is mentioned, most people’s thoughts go straight to the WRX! As the WRX has encapsulated its fellow Imprezas! Thanks to the world rally championships. For several years the Subaru Impreza has built a reputation of being a well-built, reliable, safe, and popular car. The 2007 model has capitalized on that and emerged as an even better car than the previous models. For the first time, the doors of a Subaru Impreza have come with window frames adding just this small but significant detail added a solid feeling to door closing hence improving the Impreza experience as this improved the noise, vibration, and harshness levels. 

The Engine & Transmission

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The 2007 Impreza came in two body options: a 5-door hatchback (there was an argument that the previous models were more wagon-like not hatchback) and a 4-door sedan and these were fitted with the following flat-four petrol engine variants of a 1.5-liter (EL15) that produces 80 KW at 6400 rpm and an average consumption of 7.5L/100KM, a 2.0-liter (EJ20) that produces 110 KW at 5600 rpm and an average consumption of 12.1L/100KM and a 2.5-liter (EJ25) that produces 127 KW at 6000 rpm and an average consumption of 10.4L/100KM with the option of 4-speed continuous variable transmission or 5-speed manual transmission. 

The third-generation turbocharged WRX was sold as WRX in some markets dropping the Impreza model name, but in Japan, America, and UK, it retained the full name Subaru Impreza WRX. This model was fitted with a 2.5-liter (EJ255) engine with a TD04 turbocharger, it produced 169 KW at 5600 rpm. This third-generation WRX’s weight was reduced (the previous model was 27.2 kg heavier) to enable the car to achieve an acceleration of 0 to 100/h km in 5.8 seconds. After some constructive criticism, in 2008 Subaru made some improvements for the 2009 model and swapped to the VF52 turbocharger with a 2.5-liter (EJ255) engine which improved its output to 198KW and achieved a new acceleration record of 0-97 km/h in 4.7 seconds. In 2007 we also received the debut of the WRX STI whose build was diverging further from the standard WRX. The third-generation WRX STI had a 2.0-liter (EJ207) engine with twin-scroll turbochargers (a system that uses a divided inlet turbine housing and a properly designed exhaust manifold) generating 227 KW at 6500 rpm for the local Japanese market, while the export markets received a much higher-displacement of 2.5-liter (EJ257) unit with the single-scroll VF48 turbocharger rated at 221 kW.

Fourth-Generation Subaru Impreza (2011 Hatchback Model)

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The fourth generation of Subaru Impreza was offered both as a hatchback and saloon. The hatchback is simply known as the Subaru Impreza whilst the saloon is known as the Anesis. It competes with the Toyota Auris, VW Golf, Nissan Tiida, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and Mazda Axela.

The Engine & Transmission

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The fourth-generation Subaru Imprezas were produced from the year 2011 to 2016. The first models of this fourth-generation were unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto show. It featured a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. These cars were available on the market by the end of 2011 as 2012 models. These fourth-generation Imprezas featured a 1.6-liter (FB16) DOHC (1.6i, 1.6i-L) or a 2.0-liter (FB20) DOHC (2.0i, 2.0i EyeSight, 2.0i-S, 2.0i-S EyeSight), attached to a five-speed manual transmission that has a consumption of 7.1L/100KM or a 4-speed automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that consumes 6.8L/100KM. The 2.0-liter (FB20) engine still produces 110KW although it’s an entirely new design and made to be lighter enabling the car to achieve a 20 percent cut on fuel consumption.

The Interior & Exterior

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This generation retains many of the previous models’ exterior features including its dimensions (length and width), but the wheelbase was increased by 2.5cm enabling the designers to also increase the boot space by 40 liters and legroom for the rear passengers was improved as well. It’s more aerodynamic, especially around the headlights, and also has a smooth and attractive design. All models from this generation come with automatic air-conditioning, seven airbags (front side- and front and rear side-impact airbags) and Vehicle Dynamics Control, six speakers (front, middle, and rear), Bluetooth connection, iPod connection, a USB port, and 3.5mm aux audio input jack, plus a steering wheel wrapped in leather with audio controls on it. Other standard features included are AM/FM stereo with single CD, cruise control, and remote keyless entry. 

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Fifth-Generation Subaru Impreza (2017 Hatchback Model)

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In March 2016 at the New York International Auto Show, Subaru unveiled a 2017 Subaru Impreza as the first model of the fifth generation. The fifth-generation Subaru Impreza was one of the early models to be produced under the Subaru Global Platform which will determine the production standards of all future Subaru models. This new platform has an increased rigidity of 70% to 100% over the fourth-generation model and a lower center of gravity by 0.5 cm. This Impreza is revamped as 95% of it is all new. 

The Engine & Transmission

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This 2017 Impreza comes with a revised 2.0-liter (FB20) direct-injection boxer-four engine while the 1.6-liter (FB16) engine is still available on this model as well. With about 80% of its parts revamped, the engine power has gained from that and now produces 112KW. Subaru’s CVT transmission has also been improved with enhanced ratio coverage, and a 5-speed manual transmission continues to be available. The changes made to the Impreza’s 2.0-liter (FB20) engine have improved its acceleration and flexibility of power delivery and also decreased its emission levels. This 2.0-liter (FB20) engine has an average consumption of 8.4L/100KM.

The Interior & Exterior

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This fifth-generation model is longer and wider than the fourth-generation model, with a longer wheelbase. The increase in wheelbase enabled the improvement of both front-seats and rear-seats legroom. 

Like the previous generation, Impreza’s Symmetrical AWD by Subaru is standard, except for the Japanese market, where you have an option. Subaru’s EyeSight suite safety functions are available on this model as well. You also get a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard in some markets. With the 2017 Subaru Impreza, surely Subaru has made strides forward in enhancing the driving feel, handling, interior space, and infotainment capability.

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Final Verdict

The Subaru Impreza is a good family car that is best suitable for urban drivers. Even though it’s not a true fuel-efficient car, but it still accomplishes to return some decent L/KM. It is a reliable car and lasts longer when properly maintained with minimal issues. Compared to its competitors such as the Mazda Axela, Toyota Auris, and VW Golf, it is a more convincing purchase particularly because of the symmetrical AWD found in some models.

The Subaru Impreza price is somehow affordable to some models but others are little expensive. The price of used Subaru Impreza in the market varies by model, trim, and year of manufacture while prices are reflective of average BE FORWARD prices as of August 2021 starting from USD 1,380.

Originally published Mar 12, 2020, updated Aug 27, 2021

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Written by: Josephat Lukaza

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