2012 Subaru Impreza at 2011 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Suzuki Kizashi, VW Jetta, Mazda3
• Looks like: A stub-nosed compact car
• Drivetrain: 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or CVT
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2011

There is one drawback to putting all-wheel drive in every vehicle you make: You’re never going to be as fuel efficient as the competition. That changes with the 2012 Subaru Impreza. It packs an all-new version of the company’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and upgraded continuously variable automatic transmission that returns an impressive 27/36 mpg city/highway, the most-efficient all-wheel-drive car on the market.

The Impreza also sports a new design. While not as radical as the concept promised, the real thing is still sharper than the model it replaces. The 2012 Impreza needs to be seen in person to appreciate its stubby proportions.

Despite being the same size as the outgoing model, an extended wheelbase adds interior space to the tune of an additional 2 inches of rear legroom. The front windshield is also raked farther forward, so the driver and front passenger get a feeling of more space. Cargo room in both the sedan and hatchback has also improved. The interior now is similar to the larger Legacy and Outback. There are also a number of changes to standard equipment and trim levels, which we break down below, along with more images. No pricing was announced, but we expect it to remain close to the current model’s base price of $17,495.

Impreza Standard Features by Trim Level

Impreza 2.0i

• 24-hour roadside assistance for new-car limited warranty period
• 15-inch steel wheels with full covers
• Three-spoke steering wheel
• Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist
• 60/40-split backseat
• AM/FM stereo system with single-disc CD player, MP3/WMA file capability, Radio Data Broadcast System and four speakers ? Chrome accents/front grille
• Air conditioning with air filtration
• Cargo tie-down hooks (five-door)
• Carpeted floormats
• Digital clock and outside temperature gauge
• Eco gauge (fuel economy)
• Electric power steering
• Headlights/parking lights auto-off with ignition
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Incline start assist (manual transmission)
• Multifunction display
• Power door locks
• Power mirrors
• Power windows/driver’s one-touch auto up/down and pinch protection
• Rear window wiper with washer (five-door)
• Remote keyless entry system
• Security system with engine immobilizer
• Subaru Advanced Airbag System, front seat head/chest side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and driver’s knee airbag
• Tilt/telescoping steering column
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Vehicle Dynamics Control Optional
• Lineartronic CVT

Impreza 2.0i Premium adds

• 16×6.5- inch aluminum alloy wheels
• Body-colored exterior mirrors
• Cargo area cover (five-door)
• Center console adjustable armrest
• Chrome interior door handles
• Cruise control
• AM/FM stereo and single-disc CD player with MP3/WMA capability, six speakers, Bluetooth audio streaming and phone connectivity, iPod connectivity and control, USB port and aux jack
• Illuminated ignition switch ring
• Rear stabilizer bar
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth switches

Optional

• Lineartronic CVT
• All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer)
• Alloy Wheel Package (17-inch alloy wheels, 205/50R17 tires, single tailpipe outlet with stainless-steel tip for sedan model, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle)
• Power moonroof
• Touch-screen navigation system, including 6.1 LCD, voice-activated controls, single-disc CD player with MP3/WMA file capability, iPod control capability, iTunes tagging, USB port, SMS messaging capability, XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic® (subscriptions required)

2.0i Limited adds to Premium

• All-Weather Package contents
• Alloy Wheel Package contents
• Automatic climate control
• AM/FM stereo with HD Radio and all audio features in Premium (see above), plus 4.3-inch LCD display screen
• Chrome exterior door handles
• Fog lights
• Leather-trimmed upholstery
• Lineartronic CVT
• Rear seat armrest with dual cupholders
• Upgraded instrumentation

Optional: Nav system and power moonroof

Sport Premium (five-door only) adds over Premium

• 17-inch alloy wheels and 205/50R17 tires
• All-Weather Package
• Body-colored rocker panels
• Fog lights
• Roof rails
• Silver-painted grille
• Sport fabric upholstery

Sport Limited: adds Limited content to Sport Premium and offers optional nav system and power moonroof