Huge price cuts for 2015 Subaru Impreza range

SUBARU Australia has followed the dramatic price reductions for its Liberty and Outback twins by realigning pricing for its Impreza small-car range.

Prices are down across the board with the biggest beneficiary being the range-topping 2.0i-S, which loses $3060, or 11.5 per cent, off its sticker price to now start at $27,400 before on-road costs.

It has also shaken up its mid pack by replacing the 2.0i-L with a less expensive, yet better equipped, 2.0i Premium variant.

“Because of the specification variation from the L – which was the previous mid-ranger – the decision was made to call it Premium rather than L,” said Subaru Australia public relations manager David Rowley.

The base 2.0i also falls $1000, and is currently offered at $22,990 driveaway for the six-speed manual, or with Subaru’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) for $24,990 driveaway.

“The ‘i’ model remains as the entry level,” said Mr Rowley. “It’ll stay that way (driveaway pricing) for the foreseeable future.” All of these cuts come on top of a $500 correction applied to each variant in the range upon the implementation in December of the free-trade agreement between Japan and Australia.

For 2015, the Impreza scores a new grille, headlights and fog-light treatment, along with additional chrome trim and a grey underspoiler on the sedan variant.

All three Imprezas also receive the same updated infotainment systems that feature in new Forester and Liberty, along with other small interior tweaks including the fitment of two 5-volt USB charging points for rear-seat passengers and some small trim additions.

The new 2.0i Premium starts at $21,400 plus on-road costs, and comes equipped with 16-inch rims, leather trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog-lights and a reversing camera over and above the base grade car.

It is offered with either a six-speed manual gearbox or the CVT for a $2000 uptick.

The range-topping S adds a sunroof, a premium infotainment system with satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control and more to its spec list.

There are no engineering changes to the car.

A naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 110kW at 6200rpm and 196Nm at 4200rpm powers all Impreza variants, while all-wheel-drive is standard across the range.

“The small car market is incredibly competitive and these revisions to Impreza pricing highlight its tremendous value, especially when you factor in our five-star occupant safety, Subaru reliability, durability and engineering, and the great retained value of our vehicles,” said Subaru Australia’s managing director Nick Senior.

Subaru moved 6636 Imprezas in 2014, a 32 per cent jump on the previous year’s total. Its total to March 2015 of 1078 is 40 per cent off its 2014 result of 1778 for the same period.

Subaru Impreza pricing

2.0i	$22,990*
2.0i (a)	$24,990*
2.0i Premium	$21,400
2.0i Premium (a)	$23,400
2.0i-S (a)	$27,400

*Driveaway pricing.