SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

The word's Subaru Impreza always led you to think of a certain type of car and a certain type of buyer but the latest model aims to broaden its appeal without sacrificing its high-performance credentials. Steve Walker reports.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Some cars appeal to a very definite market, a section of the populace that instantly gets what that particular vehicle is all about where others find the whole concept sails serenely over their heads. Along with products like Land Rover's Defender and Chrysler's PT Cruiser, the Subaru Impreza is one such vehicle. Over the years, the rally-replica Subaru has built a committed cult following but in the latest model we're seeing a pronounced drive on the manufacturer's part to tame the hooligan. The aim is to make it more palatable for mainstream consumption.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Bigger inside, lighter, of higher quality, more spacious and more aerodynamic, today's Subaru Impreza has definitely progressed. You can even get a diesel version. The only thing is that it just doesn't look like an Impreza any more. The car's enthusiast following may find it hard to adjust to this but beneath the new generation car's more generic family hatch shape lie the same all-wheel-drive mechanicals and high-spec chassis that made the Impreza great. Buyers can choose sedate normally-aspirated engines or a head-banger turbo unit according to taste.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

For a long time, the Impreza was all about the range-topping turbocharged models, the normally-aspirated alternatives apparently tacked on as an afterthought. Variously badged WRX and STi, the quick Imprezas felt like they'd just rumbled off a rally stage onto the public highway. Delivering degrees of brutal acceleration and tenacious grip from their all-wheel-drive underpinnings, these Imprezas underlined their capabilities out on the streets with burbling exhausts, snarling air-intakes and super-aggressive spoilers. The concept targeted a certain group of buyers and those buyers lapped it up. The car has been a success for Subaru but at the same time, its appeal was limited by the rally-replica image. With the emphasis of the current range shifted in a more conservative, family-friendly direction, the hope is that the Impreza can spread its wings and boost its sales performance.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Previous Impreza engine line-ups have tended to be rather top heavy with searing performance prioritised over affordability and running costs. Today's line-up is far more in-keeping with the norm in the family hatchback sector, although the standard all-wheel-drive transmission and multi-link rear suspension mean this isn't your average family hatchback by any means. Big news is the availability of diesel at last, a 150PS 2.0-litre unit. Otherwise, it's petrol power all the way. The 106bhp 1.5-litre engine opens proceedings and above it sits a 2.0-litre unit with 148bhp. Both engines do with out the Subaru trademark turbocharger but employ twin overhead camshafts and the Active Valve Control System that adjusts the combustion process according to the driver's throttle inputs.

These are modern engines but with 0-60mph sprint times of 13.7s and 9.2s respectively, they don't yield the kind of performance we've come to associate with the Impreza. For that kind of shove, you'll need the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine in the WRX. Here, there's 227bhp which is enough for a 0-60mph showing of 6.1s. All the engines have been tuned to give improved low-end torque for a smoother driving experience. In the WRX, the vast majority of the 320Nm maximum torque is available at 2,000rpm. If you need more, there's the 296bhp WRX STi model at the top of the range.

Subaru's favoured horizontally-opposed 'Boxer' engine layout is employed across the Impreza line-up. It produces a low centre of gravity in the car helping the latest Impreza retain its high levels of grip and steering accuracy while minimising body roll. From the 2.0-litre models upwards, all models get an anti-roll bar and the SVDC dynamics control package as an extra safety net should the full-time all-wheel-drive transmission system relinquish its hold on the road. Under normal conditions, drive is split 50/50 between the front and rear axles in the manual cars (60/40 in the automatic) but a centre differential with viscous coupling diverts torque to the axle with most grip to reduce wheelspin. The WRX and STi models also feature a mechanical limited-slip differential between the rear wheels.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

In the UK, the Impreza was always either a saloon or a five-door Sport Wagon that trod the line between hatchback and estate but now it's only offered as a conventional five-door hatch. The car is 45mm wider than the old Sport Wagon and has 95mm extra in the wheelbase. This brings a useful increase in interior space that will go down well with family buyers, as will the more compact rear suspension design which facilitates an increase in boot space to 301 litres. Despite these advantages, many will still mourn the passing of the distinctive saloon bodystyle. The booted shape always served to mark the high-performance Imprezas out as something over and above a mere hot-hatchback.

The current car has definitely lost some visual impact compared to previous generation Imprezas. Subaru scatter words like 'restrained' and 'elegant' through their PR blurb and in the past these were never terms that you'd have read in association with the styling direction of an Impreza. It's pleasant enough to look at but the shape is pure family hatchback with little to engage the eye. We're told the aerodynamics have been enhanced, improving efficiency but you could have guessed that.

The sleeker shape contrasts strongly with old Imprezas that always look like they're trying to devour the air ahead rather than slice efficiently through it. The side skirts and spoilers on the WRX models do sharpen-up that sporty edge but ultimately, you could be looking at almost any warmed-over shopping hatch. There's nothing about the car's appearance that overtly pokes you in the eye and shouts Impreza! At least the interior is a big step forward. The tough plastics and staid design of the old car have finally been axed in favour of the superior quality materials and modern layout in this model.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Today's Impreza range is clearly split between maniac performance models and sensible family cars. The five-door bodystyle means that the car is inevitably going to be compared with the leading family hatchbacks where the saloon and estate Impreza range of yore always resisted classification because there was nothing else quite like it. It is important to remember that with its 4x4 transmission, the Impreza is still quite unlike other family hatchbacks and much of its success may hinge on whether the market deems all-wheel-drive a sufficiently desirable feature in this type of car. Subaru have kept the Impreza competitive although the lack of a diesel engine option will remain a major impediment to UK sales.

The specification looks generous. Aside from the all-wheel-drive issue, all models get alloy wheels, climate control, a CD stereo, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, fog lamps, electric windows and a vehicle information display. The airbag quote is also good with side front and curtain 'bags on all models. The 2.0-litre models can also be obtained in RX trim which adds various exterior styling accessories including larger 17" alloy wheels. It also enhances the equipment list with keyless entry, a starter button, cruise control and a 10-speaker stereo system. The WRX model features all of the above plus xenon headlamps, a six-disc auto changer and more aggressive styling. Above it sits the STi version.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Family hatchback buyers bent on achieving ultimate fuel economy tend to pick diesel engines and these days, they can have one in the Impreza. The 150PS Boxer 2.0D version manages 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and 155g/km of CO2. Otherwise, petrol buyers can expect average economy from the modern non-turbocharged petrol engines and the kind of thirst you'd expect in a top-end performance hatchback from the WRX. 37.7mpg is the stated average for the 1.5-litre car, the 2.0-litre engine manages 33.6mpg and the 2.5T unit in the WRX does 27.2mpg. In terms of CO2 emissions, the WRX produces a hefty 246g/km, the 2.0 is rated at 194g/km and the 1.5-litre engine produces 176g/km.

Subaru regularly features amongst the UK's top manufacturers in customer satisfaction surveys with the unyielding reliability of its products usually cited as the major reason why. There's no evidence to suggest that the latest Impreza won't further the manufacturer's reputation in this regard, especially with versions of the engines and transmissions having already seen service in other Subaru products.

SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 1.5 RC 5DR AUTO

Subaru hasn't been afraid to change a highly popular and successful formula in creating the latest Impreza. The emphasis of the model range has shifted from hardcore rally-replicas to affordable family hatchbacks, opening up a new and larger market but potentially disappointing the enthusiast fan base in the process. In this more congested market sector, the Impreza's bland styling and lack of a diesel engine will hold it back but the all-wheel-drive underpinnings, generous specifications and attractive prices make it an unusual and appealing choice. Happily, the WRX and STi models look set to remain the performance bargains they traditionally have been.

The raw aggression commonly associated with Subaru Imprezas down the years has been massaged out of this car but only to a degree. Beneath the unassuming exterior, the Impreza retains its driver focus with a properly high-spec chassis and 4x4 transmission system. The normally-aspirated engines, big boot and spacious cabin mean it should serve well as a family runabout but the underlying ability is in place to get the best from the turbocharged powerplant in the range-topping models.