Subaru Impreza 4

In 2011, the New York City Motor Show hosted the world debut of the new Subaru Impreza 4th family car. It is worth noting that in the United States of America, Japanese representatives demonstrated their car in two body variations – a sedan and a 5-door hatchback. For the automotive market of the Russian Federation, the 4th generation Subaru Impreza arrived next year in 2012.

The transport was created on the same base together with the crossover version XV, based on which it is possible to make a conclusion that the car had all-wheel drive, but the height of the road clearance was underestimated. Almost every motorist is familiar or knows about such a car as Subaru Impreza, so it was decided to release an improved version of this famous car. The whole model range is Subaru.

Exterior

The car had a completely different appearance, the most important feature of which was the similarity of Subaru Impreza with the larger Subaru car – Legacy. The nose part of the car has headlights of a complex geometric shape (xenon can be installed as a separate option), a trapeze grille with a chrome bezel and a crossbar for the “Pleiades Constellation” logo, as well as a fairing with an auxiliary duct slot and a characteristic spoiler lip, a hood with a double U-shaped stamping.

The nose of the Subaru Impreza is crowned by a sloping hood with waves on the sides. The bumper in front of the vehicle has a complex and at the same time dynamic terrain, with an air intake at the bottom and rounded edges of the foggles.

The side part of the Subaru Impreza sedan demonstratively boasts all the presence of its masculine wheel arches, thin front roof posts, which are shifted 20 cm forward, if you compare the car with the previous generation (due to this it has been possible to increase the length of the interior), mirrors on strong legs, large doorways, a flat line of the roof and firing of the stern.

Additional small windows also found their places on the side. By moving 200 mm forward the bases of the posts installed in the front, it was possible not only to improve the driver’s view from the driver’s seat, but also to make the door openings wider. Thanks to the flat roof, interior comfort has increased, especially for people sitting on the rear sofa.

The stern part of the 4th generation Impreza Subaru is divided by the presence of a large bumper on which it is not difficult to notice the strict lines, a little bit weighting the general light-heavy image, with small lamps of the overall light-amplifying system and a neat luggage compartment lid. It seems that all the excitement in the development of the car’s appearance has gone to the designers on the nose of the Subaru Impreza.

If you look at the photos of the new Subaru, you can conclude that the design move on the one hand was brighter and more harmonious, but on the other hand, it is sporty and aggressive, as well as the famous past models of the Subaru company. And the similarity with Legacy only gives additional points to the new Impreza 2013 year. Despite the fact that there was more than one change of generation, they paid almost no attention to the increase of body dimensions. Only if we take into account the increase in the increased wheelbase by 25 mm.

Interior

The interior of the Subaru Impreza has become comfortable and interesting. Now you can find more free space here. The seats were installed a little higher than in the car of the previous generation, and the backrests of the front seats grew by 60 mm. The presence of a comfortable three-spoke steering wheel, which fits comfortably into the hands of the driver, is pleasantly pleased, and the handle of the parking brake is located in a sports style near the right leg of the driver.

The front seats are equipped with a heating function and a sense of side support. Moreover, the seats can be adjusted in 6 directions, and as a separate option, the driver’s seat can be equipped with an electric drive with eight settings. The instrument panel does not shine with a unique design solution, but the indicators of a pair of scales, made in the classical style and installed between them on the computer screen, are quite informative.

Thanks to the small screen of the onboard computer, the driver will be able to observe all the necessary information, and the large display of the multimedia system will allow you to control various systems, such as climate control and so on. Together with the dashboard, the central console was made in a quiet standard style, where there are smooth lines, the usual location of the multimedia system and climate system.

The interior is nicely decorated with metal inserts, the quality of materials used is good. Leather trim can also be ordered as an option. Pocket pockets for various trifles are located all over the salon. If to speak behind a back sofa, on it the pair of passengers can comfortably take places, because the third which will sit in the center, will seriously interfere with presence of a transmission tunnel.

The second row of the new Subaru Impreza provides quite a good space for people’s feet, and their heads are not supported by the ceiling. In general, the entire cabin, thanks to the fact that the racks were shifted forward and the size of the wheelbase increased, became larger and “airy” than the previous Impreza family.

It’s nice that the engineers together with the designers placed air ducts for the rear passengers. The luggage compartment is represented by 460 liters of useful space. If this may not seem enough, the backrests of the rear seats can be folded up if necessary and the space available can be greatly increased. The overall cabin ergonomics has been greatly improved.

Specifications

Powertrain

A symmetrical all-wheel drive is supplied as standard for the Impreza Subaru, which makes it possible to feel confident when driving a car. This applies not only to dry road surfaces, but also to slippery roads. Subaru has won the respect of motorists with its phenomenal handling and responsive steering. The car drives various turns at high speed, which is unattainable for many cars of this class.

Based on the test drive, we can confidently conclude that due to good suspension settings, the car misses small and large potholes quite easily. When turning and on a straight road, the Subaru Impreza simply moves and provides a sense of reliability and stability.

McPherson racks have been installed in front and A-levers have been installed at the back. Speaking for the power units, we decided to put a 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter engine. With a 1.6-liter is a hydraulic power steering, and with a 2.0-liter electric power steering. The braking system is controlled by disc brakes supported by ABS, EBD, various assistants of emergency braking and mountain start (only for manual gearboxes), stabilization. The power units are mounted horizontally-opposed.

The first 1.6-liter engine produces 114 horsepower and comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox or CVT variator. All this allows the sedan to reach the first hundred in 12.3 seconds (12.6 with variator). The speed limit is 189 km/h (181 for variators). According to the manufacturers, fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 7.2 liters (7.0 with variator) per 100 km. In the city mode it is about 9.5 liters.

The next engine is a 2.0-liter engine with 150 horses. Its work is smoothly synchronized with the 6-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission, which is represented by a CVT variator. The first hundred cars with such engines reaches the speed limit of 197 km/h in 10.5 seconds (11.1 for variators). Such a motor is well combined with all-wheel drive and spends about 7.9 (7.6 with variator) liters per 100 km, and in the city this figure is increased to 11 (10.6 with CVT) liters of gasoline.

The fourth generation of Subaru Impreza cars comes with gearbox steering switches. The symmetric all-wheel drive system has a difference in the fact that for manual gearboxes the self-locking differential with a viscoffer (CDG) is used. The machines with variator have a four-wheel drive system with electronic control (ACT) and a multi-disc clutch, which makes it possible to actively distribute torque on both axles. Interestingly, the technique used in the fourth generation of Subaru Impreza was almost ideal with the help of joint efforts of riders and engineering staff.

Dimensions

The 4th generation Impreza subaru has the following machine dimensions. The length of the vehicle is 4,580 mm, width 1,740 mm, height 1,465 mm, wheelbase 2,645 mm, front wheel track 1,510 mm and rear wheel 1,515 mm. The height of road clearance is 145 mm. If to speak about wheels, then depending on what equipment will be installed, it will be possible to supply 15-inch steel wheels or rollers made of a light alloy, designed for 16 and 17 inches. Also, there are 9 variants of body painting for the Russian Federation market.

Safety

If we’re talking about the safety of the fourth family of Subaru Impreza, everyone is in their seats here. Here you can find a strong body and a good layout of the power unit, which shifts away from the driver, if there is a collision in the forehead. In addition, the engineering staff has provided the car with active and passive services, which are designed to ensure the safety of travel.

• There are 4 airbags available;
• Security shutter;
• Curtain-type pillows;
• Side pillows;
• Belt tensioners;
• ISOFIX child seat mountings;
• ABS;
• EBD;
• EBA;
• ESP;
• Rear visibility cameras with guide lines.

Crash test

Complections and prices

The most starting equipment of the Subaru Impreza 4th generation with a gasoline engine of 1.6 liters volume, producing 114 horsepower and synchronized with a manual 5-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive, will cost from $15296,18. Top variant of the sedan with 2.0-liter engine, 150 horses power and variable transmission system with all-wheel drive is estimated from $20778,27. Basic equipment has everything necessary to ensure the proper level of safety.

This is the presence of ABS, ESP, 6 airbags and a system of assistance at the start of the mountain. However, the comfort is a little worse than that. There is only air conditioner, climate control, power steering, on-board computer and possibilities to adjust the steering wheel in height and departure. For visibility there are responsible fog lights, headlight washers, electric drive of mirrors, electric heating of windshield and washer nozzles.

Inside the machine, the steering wheel and gear lever are finished in leather, and the front seats are heated. There are also four power windows and the rear seat can be folded in. The audio system has USB, AUX ports, 12V socket and Bluetooth function. In order to give a better view of the exterior, you can put a decorative moldings. The top-of-the-range version of the 4th generation Impreza Subaru has a rear view camera. Otherwise, the snap-in is similar to that in cheaper versions.

Pluses and minuses

We sum up

The fourth generation of the world-famous Subaru Impreza successfully replaced the third family. The car has got a different appearance, which became more stylish, modern, but at the same time sporty. All design potential, designers focused on the front of the car. However, the interior was also improved. The quality of the material used is at a proper level. All the devices are also informative in their places.

The presence of displays, including a multimedia touch screen, indicates the company’s desire to keep pace with modern trends. The front seats are very comfortable and have good side support. A couple of people will comfortably fit in the back, and a third person who will sit in the middle will be slightly disturbed by the transmission tunnel passing under his feet. However, in general, the car provides enough free space inside, so there is free space in your knees and above your head.

The luggage compartment is not the record-breaking one, but it can be enlarged, while smoothing the backrests of the rear seats. There are a lot of different equipment and you can choose between two motors. They are not leaders in power, but they cope well with their direct duties. Excellent suspension, which has long been well established, will make you feel confident on almost any part of the road.

And various auxiliary systems will help in difficult circumstances. The company has not forgotten about safety, giving it a proper place, which will allow you to feel confident and reliable, sitting in the Subaru Impreza. It’s nice that the company doesn’t stop there and is constantly moving forward. We hope that it will continue to improve its own cars.

We advise you to read the article: History of Subaru

Subaru Impreza 4 photos

Test drive

Video overview