Subaru details new Impreza price, spec

SUBARU’S new-generation Impreza small hatch and sedan is now available for order ahead of first deliveries in December, with pricing from $22,400 plus on-road costs and a host of new equipment and revisions to the model line-up including a mid-series variant dubbed ‘2.0L’.

With the arrival of the fifth-generation Impreza, which is the first model built on the new Subaru Global Platform, the Japanese car-maker has dropped the previous manual gearbox that was available for base and Premium versions in favour of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) across the board.

Unlike the current Impreza which shares identical pricing for both hatch and sedan, the new hatchback costs $200 more than the four-door, which pushes the most affordable 2.0i hatch to $22,600 plus on-roads.

In addition to the new platform that promises improved chassis dynamics, safety and reduced weight, all Imprezas feature a new information and entertainment system headlined by a central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

An updated 2.0-litre naturally aspirated ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine is common to all four variants with 115kW of power (up 5kW) and 196Nm of torque (unchanged), while a new capped-price servicing scheme also arrives with the new-generation model.

Under the scheme, service interval mileage remains at 12,500km but owners not exceeding the threshold are now offered 12 months between services, compared with the previous six-month gap.

Subaru Australia says the new arrangement will save Impreza owners $918 over three years, with scheduled maintenance costs reduced to a total of $1298.

Above the entry Impreza 2.0i, Subaru has introduced a new 2.0L version priced from $24,490 (sedan) and $24,690 (hatch), which bridges the gap to the mid-range 2.0P.

Compared to the 2.0i, the 2.0L is fitted with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, updated driver information display, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, a leather-clad steering wheel/gear selector, upgraded cloth trim, electric-folding mirrors, and front foglights with integrated daytime running lights.

All Imprezas above base specification also get the company’s EyeSight driver assistance and safety system.

Stepping up to the 2.0P takes the price up to $26,290 and $26,490 for the sedan and hatch respectively, which represents an increase of $2890 over the outgoing sedan and an additional $3090 over the current 2.0-Premium hatch.

Subaru says the price increase is offset by a higher specification which includes an electric sunroof and satellite navigation, as well as all the gear offered by the 2.0L.

A 2.0S remains the flagship of the Impreza range, which has also increased in price over the fourth-generation equivalent, albeit by a smaller margin than the 2.0P. In sedan form, the new version costs $28,990 (+$1590), while the hatchback is $1790 more expensive at $29,190.

While all variants below the range-topper roll on 17-inch wheels, the 2.0S has 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as extra equipment including an active torque vectoring system, light-sensitive LED headlights with directional beam, automatic wipers, heated front seats/mirrors, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seat and extra exterior side-skirt trim.

The top variant also has extra safety systems in the form of blind spot monitoring, lane change assistance and rear cross traffic alert.

Subaru Australia’s recently appointed managing director Colin Christie highlighted the changes to the all-new Impreza range.

“With 95 per cent of Impreza being all new, it’s given us the opportunity to look at new service offerings that represent real savings for owners,” he said.

“The Impreza pricing scale is also impressive, especially considering the added specification right across the range.

“The pricing advantage becomes even more significant in upper spec Imprezas, with new features such as EyeSight driver assist and Vision Assist technology making our small car big on value.”2016 Subaru Impreza pricing*

Sedan
2.0i (a)	$22,400
2.0L (a)	$24,490
2.0P (a)	$26,290
2.0S (a)	$28,990
Hatch
2.0i (a)	$22,600
2.0L (a)	$24,690
2.0P (a)	$26,490
2.0S (a)	$29,190

*Excludes on-road costs