AUTO REVIEW: 4-Star 2018 Subaru Impreza Is New Star on Compact Stage

Subaru has been the in-crowd’s secret for years. Now it also makes several of the world’s best cars. It’s hard to keep that quiet. Get used to seeing more Subarus.

This is not without risk. Other brands have built a devoted audience around a unique personality, only to lose sight of what made them special as they chased higher sales.

Behind the Wheel

2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport sedan

All-wheel-drive five-passenger compact sedan

Price as tested: $24,145 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: 4 out of 4 stars

Reasons to buy: Value; all-wheel-drive; controls

Shortcomings: Fuel economy; power

How Much?

The Impreza compact sedan and hatchback were all-new for the 2017 model year. The 2018 model year brought a few safety features and a price increase that reflects the car’s status as a hit: Impreza sales are up 48.3 percent versus a year ago.

All-wheel drive is standard on all models, a feature that makes the Impreza unique among mass-market compacts. Competition includes the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta.

All Imprezas have a 2.0L four-cylinder horizontally opposed “boxer” engine that produces 152 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque.

Prices start at $18,495 for a four-door sedan with a five-speed manual transmission. Hatchbacks start at $18,995. Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission adds $1,000.

The most expensive Impreza in the 2018 model line is a $24,695 Limited hatchback with the CVT.

I tested a nicely equipped mid-level 2017 Impreza Sport sedan that stickered at $24,145. My car had a large and useful touchscreen; voice recognition; Apple CarPlay; Bluetooth compatibility; Android Auto; backup camera; 18-inch alloy wheels; high-definition radio; a four-month satellite-radio trial; power locks, mirrors and windows; power sunroof; Harman Kardon audio; blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts.

A 2018 Impreza Sport equipped like my test car costs $25,145. All prices exclude destination charges.

That’s still a bargain. None of the other mass-market compacts offer AWD, and the Impreza’s other features compare well.

Competitive Base Prices, Excluding Destination Charges

(Automatic transmission models)

2018 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport sedan w/CVT: $22,895

Chevrolet Cruze Premier: $23,475

Ford Focus Titanium sedan: $24,175

Honda Civic EX-L: $23,900

Hyundai Elantra Limited: $22,100

Kia Forte EX: $21,600

Mazda 3 Grand Touring: $24,195

Nissan Sentra SL: $23,440

Toyota Corolla XSE: $22,730

VW Jetta 1.4T SE: $22,245

Outstanding Features

The Impreza is roomy and comfortable. The passenger compartment is larger than any of the competitors. The front seat has plenty of storage for cups, smartphones and the like. The rear seat is accommodating. The trunk is smallest in the group, but still practical.

The controls include a large touchscreen for smartphone and other functions. There are also conventional buttons and dials for frequently used features such as volume, tuning, fan and temperature. The controls are simple and easy to use.

An All-New Architecture

The Impreza uses a new platform Subaru developed. The structure is stiff and light. My AWD Impreza weighed just 106 pounds more than a front-drive VW Jetta SE.

That allows the boxer engine and CVT to deliver satisfying performance despite only average power for the segment. The steering is responsive. The suspension manages bumps and keeps the car stable in quick maneuvers.

Subaru offers a wide range of safety features in an option package called EyeSight. You can equip an Impreza with adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, automatic high beam lights and lane-keeping assist, in addition to the features on my car. That package of features costs $2,150 on an Impreza Sport.

The Impreza’s styling is simple and nearly unadorned. Large windows provide good visibility. A rectangular grille houses a Subaru badge and silver wings.

The sides have mild fender flares and subtle character lines running along the beltline and just above the door sills.

Expect flashier looks and more performance when Subaru adds a high-powered WRX sport model in 2019.

Specifications as Tested

Engine: 2.0L horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine

Power: 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Length: 182.1 inches

Width: 70.0 inches

Height: 57.3 inches

Curb weight: 3,131 pounds

Where assembled: Lafayette, Ind.

The Downside

It’s hard to find any real shortcomings in the Impreza. Fuel economy is in the middle of the pack, but that’s still pretty good for an all-wheel-drive vehicle competing with front-wheel-drive cars. AWD adds weight and increases how the engine works even when the car doesn’t need extra traction.

The EPA rates the CVT-equipped Impreza at 28 mpg in the city, 38 on the highway and 32 in combined driving. The key combined figure trails the Civic and Cruze, but is actually better than the Mazda 3, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

Competitive EPA Fuel-Economy Ratings

(Automatic transmission models)

2018 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport sedan w/CVT: 32 mpg city/38 highway/32 combined. Regular gasoline.

Chevrolet Cruze Premier: 29/40/33. Regular gasoline.

Ford Focus Titanium sedan: 27/38/31. Regular gasoline.

Honda Civic EX-L: 32/42/36. Regular gasoline

Hyundai Elantra Limited: 28/37/32. Regular gasoline

Kia Forte EX: 29/38/32. Regular gasoline

Mazda 3 Grand Touring: 28/37/31. Regular gasoline

Nissan Sentra SL: 29/37/32. Regular gasoline

Toyota Corolla XSE: 28/35/31. Regular gasoline.

VW Jetta 1.4T SE: 28/38/32. Regular gasoline.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

The Verdict

The Impreza brings the goodies that made Subaru a cult favorite to the mass market, at affordable prices. It should raise the ante for every other brand that wants to sell a compact car.

There’s a new star on stage. And if you’re one of the early adopters who kind of hates the fact that everybody else has figured out how good the funky little brand you discovered is, get over yourself.

There’s no reason Subaru can’t remain a trailblazer long after it becomes a bestseller.

Key Features on Vehicle Tested

Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; front-seat side air bags; driver knee air bag; curtain air bags; backup camera; LED daytime running lights; 18-inch alloy wheels; rear spoiler; turn signals built into side mirrors; power locks, mirrors, windows; air conditioning; 8.0-inch touchscreen; HD radio; four months SiriusXM satellite radio; Bluetooth compatibility; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; USB port; cruise control; automatic headlights; push button start; manually adjustable front seats; manual tilt and telescoping steering column; aluminum pedal covers; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; 60/40 split folding rear seat; heated front seats.

Options: Power sun roof; 432-watt eight-speaker Harman/Kardon audio; cross-traffic and blind-spot alert.