2012 Subaru Impreza Reviewed

[Squad 27]

I LOL'd when he said, "that audience is shrinking now." HMMM

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[ricochet]

Originally Posted by meebs

The fuel cut at 3500 was pretty telling. I'm wondering if this is because they went to a chain versus a timing belt?

35... Miles per hour.

[06wrxlbart]

This is why I picked up a new Audi S4. New Subaru just don't look right anymore.

[Akrexak]

I cant wait to see it in person. Im still very interested in getting 2012 STi sedan, and looking forward to seeing the next STi.

[reddoak]

Originally Posted by 06wrxlbart

This is why I picked up a new Audi S4. New Subaru just don't look right anymore.

Ummm... Doesn't the S4 start around 47K? I wouldn't expect a $17,000 Subaru to compare favorably with a car over double its price.

Know what I mean?


They aren't making this car for performance minded drivers. They are making an appliance that moves people from point A to point B. And I think it's an improvement over the last model Impreza (I have a 2009 2.5i on a lease.) I could give a rat's ass if it was 5 seconds slower in a top gear roll on from 60-80 if it got 30% better gas mileage and was both larger inside and more comfortable.

I'm glad they are separating the WRX from the Impreza. It'll keep the Impreza from being a sluggish WRX, and keep the WRX from being a juiced econobox.

[Kostamojen]

As an enthusiast, the last model was crap and everyone knows it. The exterior was crap, interior was crap, and only the wide-bodied WRX/STI's made up for that crap even though they still had a crap interior/exterior.

This car doesn't have that problem. The interior is back to Subaru standards with simple quality, while the exterior has moved from weird to acceptable if not down right good.

And if the suspension really is as good as the reviews have been saying... Why not buy this and throw some sticky tires on there and auto-x it???

Sure its not a WRX, but for people looking at sub-$20k cars like the Mazda 3, Honda Fit, Hyundai Vwhatever, etc. that are fun to drive but don't have much power, why not get this?

[tylertnt93]

2012 impreza or 2012 civic? they both look the same.... and terribly ugly thanks subaru

[ed10]

Out of all the whining I found these little gems that I happen to agree with.

Originally Posted by SkeetsWisconny

AWD with good mileage sells to many who wanted the AWD but didn't want to give up the mileage. I think many chose to do so and that this model will make many buyers rethink their decision to buy elsewhere.

I agree. Most people think awd = bad mpg. This new Impreza will appeal to a lot of people that want awd and good gas mileage

Originally Posted by bgod

I can't believe they got the car to sub-3000lbs. with awd.

That's pretty impressive with the mileage to boot. Price is right and the mileage is definitely a plus.

Take this car for what it is. At $20k it's competing with a ton of other cars on the market and it looks like Subaru hit it right with this one.

I completely agree with you.

Originally Posted by reddoak

They aren't making this car for performance minded drivers. They are making an appliance that moves people from point A to point B. And I think it's an improvement over the last model Impreza (I have a 2009 2.5i on a lease.) I could give a rat's ass if it was 5 seconds slower in a top gear roll on from 60-80 if it got 30% better gas mileage and was both larger inside and more comfortable.

I'm glad they are separating the WRX from the Impreza. .

I agree with you too

[imprzya]

Originally Posted by reddoak

Ummm... Doesn't the S4 start around 47K? I wouldn't expect a $17,000 Subaru to compare favorably with a car over double its price.

Know what I mean?


They aren't making this car for performance minded drivers. They are making an appliance that moves people from point A to point B. And I think it's an improvement over the last model Impreza (I have a 2009 2.5i on a lease.) I could give a rat's ass if it was 5 seconds slower in a top gear roll on from 60-80 if it got 30% better gas mileage and was both larger inside and more comfortable.

I'm glad they are separating the WRX from the Impreza. It'll keep the Impreza from being a sluggish WRX, and keep the WRX from being a juiced econobox.

I agree. I ordered a 12 sport limited to be a commuter car, awd, good mileage, better interior, etc, however I also plan getting an 04 sti for a fun car. I am also hoping the new imprezas sell really well to help with Subaru's cafe so we can continue to get some high performance STIs and WRXs in the future!!

[Power6]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

As an enthusiast, the last model was crap and everyone knows it. The exterior was crap, interior was crap, and only the wide-bodied WRX/STI's made up for that crap even though they still had a crap interior/exterior.

And if the suspension really is as good as the reviews have been saying... Why not buy this and throw some sticky tires on there and auto-x it???

As an owner of one of the "crap" narrow body WRXs, I have to disagree a bit. Not to retroactively justify my purchase, I really did buy the car because I liked it and I am happy with it. I like the way it looks.

Now the interior, yes that was a huge misstep. Maybe Subaru thought the market was going to be more price sensitive; adjusting for inflation, my premium model with moonroof, heated bits etc. cost the same as the base WRX did in 2002. Maybe it was a good idea and they made a ton of profit stamping out the rubbermaid doors and dashes while there were enough of us to look past that and still like the car.

This new model, is basically a refresh of the current Impreza chassis, putting right a lot of things that were once wrong. The suspension, from what I have seen, remains basically the same, with fresh tuning of course, perhaps that makes all the difference. I have certainly tuned my own suspension into something entirely more sport oriented.

I would say, without the performance benefits of having the WRX, which I chose over the GTI and Ralliart as I did think it was the better car for me in 2009, plasticky dash and all, I do not think I would have chosen the same if I was shopping for something more basic. Without the handling and power carrots, the basic Impreza interior would have been hard to swallow. I came from an SRT-4 that had nicer dash and door panels ha.

Good to see Subaru get it right, I think this one will do well, and look forward to the next WRX!

[Hedbergsuby07]

not bad but the body style looks like a baby ford taurus and the frame around the window really subaru come on the minute i crack my hear on that window frame im just gonna straight lose it. I do want to see the wrx and sti body versions before i make a decision if i hate the lines or not.

[Samirr76]

complaining about door frames? when like every other car on the road has them? do u enjoy wind noise or something?

I have never seem lamer complaints about a new vehicle than in this thread. Comparisons to an Audi? Who's buys a Subaru just for looks?

[96GreenLX]

Wow usually I hate every new Impreza since the first gen (only good gen, sorry others got to fat and big) but I have a feeling this model will bring old gen feeling back! Almost as lightweight as the first gen with better suspension, no messing with timing belts, and way better gas mileage however it's no looker like a 99-01 RS. I personally cannot wait till I can find these used for under $10k.

I could see how those who live near work 5ish miles or less would never have a need for this car, but those who have long commutes and could use a good fuel efficient, reliable, and AWD car there isn't to many options.

[wagonryan]

Originally Posted by 96GreenLX

however it's no looker like a 99-01 RS

That car wasn't anything besides a looker compared to the base model.

Is this car the work of SOA or does the whole world get this car? I like it, looks a lot like the Cruze.

[ecsubi]

Honestly i think Subaru is making the right move. The WRX and the STi should be a completely different model than the Impreza. Subaru should make the Impreza a slow, small, safe, affordable, comfortable, reliable and a high mpg vehicle. The general public doesn't want a sports car and this will only boost sales. On another note they should continue producing the WRX and STi on a completely separate platform geared toward durability and everything else we(not the general public) loves about Subaru's. Sure this will probably jack up the price of both the WRX and the STi but hopefully provide a superior vehicle and product. From a business stand point they are making the best most logical decision. Hopefully they won't forget about their rally inspired roots. I love my bugeye and I would hate to see Subaru's as I know them disappear.

[swede978]

I am not a fan.

[Fridian]

As a first time Subaru owner I don't have much have the stigma that many of the long-time members may have. I think that for a commuter car, Subaru nailed it. It looks just like every other car out there (which is what the general public wants) the interior looks MUCH better than some of the previous years, the MPG is finally worth the price tag and with AWD many people will be willing to give Subaru another look.

This is not a car for people who browse Subaru Enthusiast Forum Boards. This is a car for the daily commuter who want a car that looks like every other car, with good gas mileage, and the added bonus of safety in the AWD.

I have no idea what to expect when they finally make a WRX or STI, but for what this car currently is, Subaru did a damn good job. That doesn't mean that I am personally a huge fan of it, but if I could only afford a new commuter car this is what I would be looking for.

[ogboot]

I'm a fan. I think that if you're looking at a base impreza this is going to hit a lot of points that will carry weight.

[Furiousd1983]

After reading the reviews. I'm even happier that I have one on order. The reviews I've read so far are exactly what I wanted to see. Yes, It only has 140hp but many of the reviewers were talking about the handling compared to cars in its class. I wanted a car that could get 30+ mpg but could handle a thrashing if I decide to take it on some mountain roads and open it up!

[tacomaprime]

Originally Posted by ed10

I want one for the wife....can't wait for them to arrive at my local dealership. Hopefully she'll like it and we'll get one. She drives an hour each way for work and she needs awd for winter not to mention good hwy mpgs.

Same here. My wife's drive is a half hour each way. so I want the AWD for her for winter, and the good mpg's too.

[hoffmanEstates]

is this a paddle shifter i spot?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...#photo-4494545

[ricochet]

Originally Posted by hoffmanEstates

is this a paddle shifter i spot?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...#photo-4494545

Yup - optional CVT with paddle shifters. The Limited is only available with a CVT.

[Joebrauk]

This is exactly what we need! This car will no doubt boost subaru's appeal to the average buyer. Subaru has already been growing, with this new impreza they will only continue to grow. I'm not worried about the wrx/sti's future, unlike mitsubishi, subaru has a strong presence in the US right now (I'm in New England so Subarus are everywhere). I'm not a huge fan of the styling, but I'm very excited to see what Subaru has in store for the performance market.

[howzmidyktzt]

looks like the ford focus and ford fiesta had an inbred child

[Cheeker]

now it just looks like every other sedan out there. :/