2019 Subaru Impreza Sedan; is it really impressive?
The Impreza Sedan is one car which is known to satisfy your AWD cravings on a budget. Subaru, as a brand which is generally perceived to cater to the mass market, who look for practicality and performance on a budget. For the year 2019, Subaru has updated its Impreza with a slew of features. It is available in 4 trims, namely Base, Premium, Sport and Limited. The 2019 Impreza MSRP range starts at $18,595 and goes till $25,190, which makes it an extremely value for money proposition. A 2.0-liter 4-cyl. engine is standard, which can be had with either a manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. Is the 2019 Impreza really different from its predecessor, or just an old wine in new bottle? Read ahead to find out.
What’s New?
-> Carries forward the design and features of fifth generation
-> Expansive feature list
-> Short throw gearbox from WRX STI for manual transmission trims
Likes:
-> Standard AWD; people who don’t want SUV’s will appreciate
-> Commendable NVH levels
-> Availability of Manual Transmission; purists will be pleased
Dislikes:
-> Engine is slow and unresponsive at lower RPM’s
-> Mediocre interior quality
-> Low Fuel economy
Performance
The heart of the matter is a 2.0-liter 4-cyl. engine, which churns out 152 hp of power and 145 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the 2.0i and Sport models, and a CVT automatic is optional on those and standard on Premium and Limited trims. Both send power to all the four wheels, standard AWD is a joy for those who don’t want big SUV’s. Initial acceleration is sluggish to say the least, and the CVT gearbox dulls the initial acceleration even further. However, as you build the revs, the engine comes into its own and performance is satisfactory, but far from explosive.
The 2019 Subaru impreza acceleration does 0-60 mph sprint in a claimed 9.1 seconds, which is just about okay for the segment. While the 5 speed manual gearbox is great to use, the CVT gearbox is dull, and its rubber band effect is evident at higher revs. The highlight of the package though, is the well-tuned steering wheel, which is feedback rich. It instills a lot of confidence around corners, and mature suspension setup results in a very pliant ride quality. Braking performance too is good, and the car stops without any nosedive even under tricky situations. What’s disappointing though, is the fuel efficiency, which is rated at 24 mpg, and is poor by segment standards. Overall, the performance of the Impreza is impressive, apart from initial acceleration.
Design
The Impreza looks clean and elegant from certain angles, but it’s not a looker by any means. Its clean character lines will definitely age better than most modern cars. If you’re a fan of svelte and distinct lines, look elsewhere, this sedan will not draw attention, and will blend within the crowd.
Step inside and what you immediately notice is the space on offer. Front seats are extremely comfortable, with sufficient cushioning and bolstering, and that coupled with good all-round visibility ensures driving this car isn’t a task. What lets the cabin ambience down however, is the hard plastics on the dashboard. The cabin ambience is good, only if you look beyond the hard plastics.
For a car that’s made on a budget, the feature list surely comes as a surprise. Standard features include daytime running lights, a rearview camera, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a driver information display, cruise control, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and a four-speaker audio system with a USB port and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
If that isn’t enough, the top trims get features like adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, fog lights, an 8-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way power driver’s seat, rear armrest, automatic climate control, reverse automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring and a sunroof.
Safety
The Impreza got above average ratings for its NHTSA and IIHS crash test results. Standard safety features include seven airbags, a rearview camera and stability control.
Optional safety features include host of crash-avoidance tech including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and active lane control. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts are optional on all but the base trim of Impreza.
Final Verdict
Want a capable sedan with AWD, practicality, features and safety? The Impreza fulfils all your requirements. With a choice of Manual and Automatic gearboxes, this Subaru sedan offers tremendous bang for the buck value. Yes, some interior bits do let one down, but as an overall package, Impreza will please all and offend none.
