Few vehicles have been as relentlessly restyled over the past 10 years as Subaru’s Impreza, which has endured five new versions or refreshes since 2001 (including the Mk1). And now there’s a new version, taking styling cues from Subaru’s Impreza Concept as well as (to our eyes, anyway) the first-generation of Pontiac Vibe. Though the front and rear treatments are an improvement on the weakly-detailed current model, the proportions don’t seem to have improved any. And then there’s the under-the-skin issues. That 36 MPG promised by Subaru for the next Impreza comes from a downsized engine (two liters rather than 2.5) and a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The Outback version, hinted at in this XV Concept, should get less than 36 MPG thanks to its jacked-up ride height, but it’s still not clear whether the 2.5 and manual transmission will continue to be available on the new Impreza.
Subaru simply cannot get all the weird out of their designs. The fan base didn’t care. Now that they are trying to “broaden their market appeal” you’d think they would hire somebody to do a design and then not mess with it but that just doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Meanwhile, the fan base is getting sick of bloat, pointless “features” and the whittling away of things that made Subarus good: light weight, low CG, durable interiors, wagons, MTs.
A Ford Fiesta mated with the Dodge Caliber?
I consider myself a part of the Subaru “fan base” (for 20+ years, and we now own two of them), and even so, this is the first non-frameless-window Subaru that I would find appealing – if a stick remains available, the low center of gravity is maintained, etc. As an Impreza 5-door, sure it could be considered “bloated,” but if you instead think of this car as perhaps the true successor to the 1997-08 Forester (minus some outward visibility and cargo capacity), then it may very well have broad appeal.
TTAC beats Autoblog, which appears clueless that the “XV Concept” is a thinly disguised next gen Impreza
so boring…
On the Today show this morning they showed the actual sedan version and based on these sketches of the hatchback IMO this time the sedan is a much better looking car.
In the current version I like the hatchback styling better. IMO these sketches make it look similar to the Volvo C30 especially from the back. Subaru needs to either start offering FWD or AWD that can be turned off. I live in the snowbelt but there are just a handful of days in the winter when AWD is needed thus I am loath to pay for the AWD’s decreased fuel economy on a daily basis. Makes me wonder how many potential buyers dismiss Subaru from consideration for the same reason.
I bought my current 2006 Subaru Legacy in spite of it having AWD. I wanted a reliable wagon, the only real choices were the Legacy or Mazda6. I chose the Legacy for various reasons, but AWD wasn’t really one of them.
Personally, I don’t think it’s that bad. My STI averaged around 25MPG, and now my current IS250 RWD averages around 27-29MPG (though minus the AWD and 100+ HP).
From what I’ve been told, the older models like to drink, but the newer ones are pretty decent.
I could see if Subaru made a statement where if allowing people to turn off AWD in their vehicles could be less safe (though they sell FWD models out of the US)… but that’s my thought.
What year sti do you have? I’ve never had a tank above 24, and I average about 22 with 80% highway…
If this is what the new one looks like it’s a HUGE improvement over the current one. I’m looking at a small hatch in the next year or two and I had pretty much marked Subaru off the list, but this might put them back in the running.
As the owner of a first generation Pontiac Vibe, and a sometimes driver of both a Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester, I would be happy to own this new Impreza if it gave me the same kind of passenger and storage space as my Vibe. Even though I think the Subarus handle and accelerate better than the Vibe (and are much, much better in the snow and rain), I find the Vibe much more comfortable for my 6’1″ 210 lb frame! The seating position is better for me and the seats are more comfortable. So, if Subaru makes the inside, as well as the outside, of the new Impreza like the Vibe while maintaining good fuel economy, awd, and driving dynamics, I will put it on the shortlist for my next new car. But, if I wind up living in a region with good weather, I would certainly consider the new Ford Focus hatchback, Golf or Jetta TDI wagon, Honda Fit, Toyota Prius, and Mazda 3 hatchback as well (the new Toyota Matrix is just too damn ugly).
Good Eye! It looks almost exactly like a 2003 Pontiac Vibe in Envy (slime green)
http://www.automotive.com/2003/102/pontiac/vibe/gt-wagon/825/photos/colors/envy.html
Chances this will come to Canada as the Subaru Impreza Sport? I never understood how Canada, one of the few places were slightly higher ground clearance could be legitimately chosen, did not get the last gen Impreza/Outback Sport thingy. I hope we get this variant of it.
Nice looking Subie. I’d gladly buy one if I needed another AWD car in the house.