2017 Subaru Impreza: First Impressions
CARS.COM — At first glance, the 2017 Subaru Impreza’s redesign does not appear to be all that dramatic, but after checking out the transformation in person at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, there’s more than meets the eye.
The new Impreza is the first car to ride on Subaru’s new global platform, and the new wheelbase is an inch longer than the old one. Dimensions have actually stretched at each corner: The new model is 1.6 inches longer and 1.5 inches wider, but there is a 0.4-inch decrease in height.
The red Impreza sedan that Subaru had on hand is its new Sport trim with the most dramatically reworked styling. There are enhancements such as side rocker panels, patterned black cladding under the rear bumper, a rear spoiler and new wheels, all of which make the Sport trim look more like a baby WRX than an Impreza. I like its cohesiveness; it looks sporty without being overbearing.
On the inside, the Impreza has made incremental improvements across the board, adding up to an improved experience. Gone are the strange touch-sensitive buttons that used to flank both sides of the multimedia system’s touch-screen. They’ve been replaced by physical controls placed below the screen where they’re easier to reach from both the driver and front passenger seats.
The seats also are improved, with more bolstering and better ergonomics. In the Sport model, I found the cloth seats to be comfortable; the woven strip down the middle is soft to the touch and looks good to boot. In the backseat, the outboard seats used to be flat, but the new model adds some contouring that will make them less fatiguing for longer trips.
Added wheelbase length generally pays dividends for passenger room, and that’s definitely the case here. With the driver seat adjusted for my driving position, I was able to fit my 5-foot-11 frame in the backseat easily with a few inches to spare behind the front seat. Rear headroom, which is always a touchy subject in this segment, also is great. There were at least 2-3 inches of space above my head in each of the rear seats (even the raised middle seat).
Subaru says that pricing for the new Impreza will closely match the 2016 model, but no specifics were offered. The 2017 Impreza will arrive at dealerships at the end of 2016.
