Subaru Impreza 2017 Review

We love:

• All-wheel drive traction
• Safety, comfort and space
• Holds its resale value
• Cheaper servicing with mobile servicing available

Pain points:

• No manual gearbox option despite being previously popular
• Seven-stepped CVT drags under pressure
• Small 50L fuel tank

Subaru Impreza 2017 review

This year marks the most significant change since 1992 for the popular Subaru Impreza. It's already looking to be popular, with 700 advance orders placed, and an additional two years warranty provided on cars purchased before December 31st.

The exterior of the Subaru Impreza 2017

Available in hatch or sedan, your choice will come down to personal preference, but either option is an aesthetic improvement on the previous design. Its curb weight is 1,400 kilograms, heavy for the class. Despite the extra weight, the new chassis is excellent, much stiffer, with a lower centre of gravity giving it better cornering.

Exterior sleek elegance - image courtesy of Car Advice.

The silver paint option is elegant and doesn't cost any extra. There are eight colours available, with metallic, silica or pearl finish at no additional cost. Powered side mirrors can be folded when you park.

Under the bonnet, the engine lays flat rather than standing vertically, a configuration intended to lower the weight of the engine in the car and provide better handling.

Upgrading to the 2.0i Premium, you'll get a powered sunroof and satellite navigation, and the top 2.0i-S has automatic windscreen wipers, auto headlights with brighter, long-lasting LED globes.

If you need to tow a trailer, you'll need to choose the hatchback, as the sedan isn't designed to take a tow bar.

Inside the Subaru Impreza 2017

While there are no rear air vents, the 2017 Impreza does feature grab handles in multiple positions for passenger comfort when the driver decides to explore the limits, and dual-zone climate control so driver and passengers can adjust the temperature separately.

Enhanced cabin quality - image courtesy of Car Advice.

The cabin has a quality feel, with a leather gear stick and steering wheel, and large side windows offering great visibility. There are 2 USB charging points in the large centre console, and thick rubber door seals mean the ride is much quieter than before. The top model has a power-adjustable driver's seat and leather trim.

Rear seats are spacious, with cupholders and two ISOFIX points making it family friendly. Boot space is generous at 460 litres, or 795 litres when you fold the seats down. A space-saver spare sits under the floor, luckily there's also a tyre pressure monitor that warns you of a slow leak that needs fixing, so hopefully, you can avoid using the space-saver.

Connectivity

The base model has a 6.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rearview camera, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and steering wheel button controls, with the 'Starlink' media system piping sound through the six-speaker stereo.

Connectivity is excellent - Image courtesy of Car Advice.

Higher spec options have an 8.0-inch touchscreen.

What's it like to drive a Subaru Impreza 2017?

The new chassis is 70 per cent stiffer than the previous model, which means that the new Impreza handles and rides much, much better. There's heaps of grip and stable support from the sophisticated double-wishbone suspension.

The stop-start system contributes to lower fuel consumption, especially important if you're driving around town. ABS, stability and traction control, brake assist, and a reversing camera contribute to assist the driver and increase the safety of passengers. There's also hill-start assist which controls the brakes when starting on a slope.

The suspension is well-tuned for the rough Australian roads, stable and secure over bumps, and the new car comes with a three-year, unlimited km warranty and mobile servicing that's $900 less over three years than Subaru's previous package.

You can tow up to 1,200 kilograms braked with the hatch variant, with a 120 kilogram tow ball load.

Who's the Subaru Impreza 2017 for?

The 2017 Subaru Impreza is designed to appeal to country buyers, or city buyers traversing the back roads on weekends. Its main advantage over the competition is the AWD system, while the top-spec 2.0iS is really an upmarket car for under $30,000.

It's powerful and dynamic enough to satisfy most drivers, especially families, but for additional power and pace, you might look to the WRX.

Feature Summary

Price: from $22,400

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder direct-injection 'boxer' petrol engine (115kW/196Nm)

Transmission: standard Lineartronic CVT with paddle-shifters, AWD

Wheels: 17-inch or 18-inch aluminium alloy

Safety: 5 star ANCAP, seven airbags

Fuel: 6.6-7.2 L/100km, 95 RON premium petrol recommended.

Emissions: 157g/km CO2

AV and tech: 6.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Seats: 5

Doors: 5

You can finance a Subaru Impreza 2017 from $110/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to own the brand new version of this real drivers car.

No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.

*Over a 5-year loan term.