What is it?
The understated family hatch you see before you is the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza. Twenty years ago, that nameplate might’ve been one to make you sit up and pay attention - particularly if you were an ardent follower of the World Rally Championship at the time.
Now, though, the Impreza isn’t quite as exciting. There are two reasons for this: namely, because the coveted WRX performance models have been established as a model line in their own right (not to mention one that’s about to leave the UK for good, supposedly), and also because Subaru has been placing safety at the forefront of its vehicle development programme for some time now.
Not that that’s at all a bad thing. After all, this new Impreza comes with a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, thanks in no small part to its ‘Eyesight’ suite of driver aides. This includes features such as pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
In addition to the comprehensive range of safety kit, the Impreza also gets Subaru’s symmetrical four-wheel drive to help the car’s on-road surefootedness, while the all-new Subaru Global Platform aims to improve dynamic feel. Suspension, meanwhile, consists of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear.
At the car’s nose, you’ll find Subaru’s naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine in 2.0-litre guise (a smaller 1.6-litre unit is also available). Its 154bhp and 145lb ft of torque are sent to all four wheels via a ‘Lineartronic’ continuously variable transmission (CVT).
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Pity
What a pity this review is used to plug, yet again, an reliable heap sold by VW. DSG gearboxes, timing chains, turbos, you name it VWs have all sorts of problems and we haven’t got to the dishonesty over emissions yet. Subaru makes well-engineered machines and this is no exception: a naturally aspirated 2 litre motor will, I have no doubt, last a good deal longer than current rival turbos. This car has proper independent suspension and a sophisticated 4 wheel drive system in every model. So called premium alternatives do not.
As for this subaru, a manual
As for this subaru, a manual is needed as more people buy manuals in the uk and more engine choice, though at least the 1.6 is coming.
Subaru Impreza
Here we go again.The arm chair experts and to a degree motoring journos decrying the CVT gearbox.I have never come across other manufacturers who use CVT's being so round attacked as Subaru.Manufacturers from MB,Nissan,Honda,Toyota etc etc use the CVT but road tests of their cars never begin with gear box comments as an opening,in fact I have never read a road test of other cars that attacked the CVT gear box.I own a 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5 premium with a 5step CVT.The delivery of power is so linearer and if the boy racer in you wishes for manual gear changes it has paddle shifters,but like most automatic gear boxes, they out perform manual changes every time.
Gargae Man wrote:
I agree with your assessment of cvt usage but not of reviews. Magazines always heavily criticise them. I recently had an insight(now have a crz) and the reviews made the usual high reving drone under hard acceleration comments which is nonsense as you can use the paddles to prevent this, effectively changing gear so the standard high revs until the car speed catches up can be totally negated. When not accelerating hard and just driving normally and leaving the gearbox to do its own thing it was always quiet and smooth, a relaxing drive, just like the torque converter autos I've driven in the past. If you want a bit of fun on A/B roads again you can use the paddles which work really well. This availability and use of paddles was never mentioned in any review.
si73 wrote:
I remember driving an Insight (second generation) but it was the base model and had no paddles. On the flat it was fine, but at the first hill the revs went sky high, making an awful drone. Clearly having paddles to stop the gearbox doing what IT wants is essential on a CVT. Hope you enjoy the CRZ now, the hybrid/manual combo is great.
Leaving mine in auto the revs
Leaving mine in auto the revs did rise at a hill, usually though I could come off the power very slightly the revs would reduce but I'd still make good progress, it's very hilly around my way and that does effect the economy but I could still drive with the traffic without the revs staying sky high. It was mainly on slip roads onto the fast flowing A38 that I noticed the high rev issue so that's when I'd use the paddles the most. I didnt actually realise they did one without paddles, all the ones I looked at had them.
Yes really enjoying the crz, my brother and I swapped as he now needs a more practical car, cheers.
Imprezza CVT
Ah, there are some people out there that hold a similar view to me on the CVT.On a long intercity trip(7) times a year,500 odd miles each way,my 2015 Outback with the CVT performs faultlessly.I don't overly hear the rise in revs(I can hear a worm break wind 5metres down).In cruise control,which is adaptive,run through the eyesight system, it provides a very comfortable economical drive.I do know the early Subaru CVT's were "droney" but with their development by Subaru,it only now becomes apparent at crawling speeds,round 3MPH in traffic,but hey you tune out.And the detractors need to remember that the car CVT is a development from the original reason they were made,Tractors.They need constant power when ploughing,pulling etc,the same with trucks.So the sophisticated development for cars like many things automotive,Lamborghini for example that started out as a tractor manufacturer.DCT may give very fast gear changes,but what is their use by date?