Subaru freshens up Impreza

SUBARU Australia has upgraded its Impreza small car for the 2020 model year, introducing a fresh face and the driver-selectable Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) engine management system across the range.

There is a slight increase in pricing across the range, although equipment upgrades and a revised suspension tune – promising “even better ride comfort, steering response and handling agility” – are also included in the MY20 overhaul.

Unlike the three-tier system fitted to some of Subaru’s more powerful models, the SI-Drive system fitted to the 2020 Impreza features just two driver modes – Intelligent (I) and Sport (S).

Controlled via a button on the steering wheel, the system works by altering the throttle response to maximise fuel efficiency in I mode or enhancing performance in S mode, the latter being the “all-round mode”.

According to Subaru Australia managing director Colin Christie, the combination of fresh on-road presence and “the ability to better match the driver’s performance preference via SI-Drive gives every Impreza added edge and flexibility”.

Now kicking off from $23,740 plus on-road costs for the sedan and $23,940 for the hatch, the facelift marks a $150 price increase for the entry-level 2.0i variants, which add automatic locking doors as well as SI-Drive and the exterior upgrade.

The latter extends to new alloy wheel designs, an updated grille, tweaked foglight arrangement and a new front bumper, while hatch variants also score a new smoked finish to the tail-light clusters.

The slightly better equipped 2.0i-L, which comes with Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite and a bigger 8.0-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen, has similarly climbed $170 apiece to now start at $25,860 for the sedan and $26,060 for the hatch.

The 2.0-Premium sedan and hatch are now set at $28,390 and $28,590 respectively, up $900 but offering key new safety systems as standard including blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking and a front view monitor.

Sitting atop the Impreza range is the 2.0i-S, now priced from $31,160 for the sedan and $31,360 for the hatch (both up $650), which has cemented itself as the flagship of the line-up with significant additions to its equipment list.

The top-spec model now comes with unique LED headlights, automatic power-folding mirrors, auto-dipping passenger side mirror, front and side view monitors, driver’s seat position memory, stitched MFD visor and piano-black trim around the air-conditioning controls.

“Factor in a compelling package of cosmetic and trim enhancements, plus added safety and driver convenience features in the two range-topping models, and Impreza continues to represent tremendous value, with a long-established record in the key areas of durability, engineering, fun and safety,” Mr Christie said.

No changes have been made under the bonnet of the all-paw small car, meaning drive still comes from a 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder petrol engine, put to the ground via a continuously variable automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Last year, Subaru’s local vehicle supplies were heavily constrained and as such the brand sold only 4518 examples of the Impreza, down 51 per cent on the previous year.

In January, it similarly managed only 286 Impreza sales, down 42.1 per cent on the corresponding month in 2019.

2020 Subaru Impreza pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs