Road Test: 2020 Subaru Impreza

Subaru vehicles have long enjoyed a loyal following in these parts thanks in large part to their longevity and superb all-wheel drive system that is standard fare.

With safety always near the top of everyone’s checklist when buying a vehicle, the AWD system is a welcome feature. For 2020, though, the automaker has made the Impreza even more attractive for the safety-conscious buyer with the addition of its EyeSight driver-assist system as a standard feature (on models with a CVT).

The 2020 Impreza has also received some refreshing after the fifth generation debuted in 2017, including a revised front fascia.

Despite the new features and looks, the Impreza’s base price of $19,995 remains unchanged and it is available in both sedan and 5-door configurations.

Our tester is a top of the line Impreza Sport-Tech with EyeSight sedan with a price of $30,795 before fees and taxes.

On top of a long list of standard features, it also includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seating, heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon eight-speaker audio system and more.

Every Impreza shares the same engine, a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Boxer engine that is rated at 152 horsepower and 145 ft-lb of torque.

There are two transmissions available on the Impreza, either the Lineartronic CVT on our tester or a 5-speed manual transmission available on certain trims.

New for 2020 is that models fitted with the CVT also include a driver-selectable SI-DRIVE engine management system, which includes a Sport mode or Intelligent mode, that is aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency.

The combined fuel economy for the Impreza is rated at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, but my week with it returned an average of 9.8 L/100 km.

The fifth-gen Impreza is a nice looking sedan and the 2020 has a refreshed front bumper and fascia design.

The exterior styling features some aggressive accent lines that enhance the look, and a subtle wing on the trunk lid. On our tester, the two-tone 18-inch wheels were a nice way to cap the look.

Inside, the cabin is actually quite bright thanks in large part to the Ivory leather in our vehicle. Overall, it’s a nice package with quality materials used throughout, and the whole thing is laid out logically – from the gauges to the infotainment setup.

It’s a very functional environment, but don’t expect too much in the way of luxury.

A main focal point of the cabin is the 8.0-inch infotainment screen on our fully-loaded model (the base features 6.5 inches). It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Sport-Tech model also comes with navigation, satellite radio and that upgraded audio system mentioned earlier.

The package itself is easy enough to operate, with large, clear icons for the various functionalities.

Out on the road, the CVT on the Impreza is nicely set up, resulting in a drive that isn’t annoying like many other of these types of transmission. It’s not perfect, but it is much less of a downer.

Once up to speed, the Impreza’s engine is very quiet, resulting in a pleasant experience in the cabin.

The ride feels confident and settled, even over some rough pavement. Handling isn’t overly sporty, but the overall impression is good.

With the all-wheel drive system, the Impreza sedan delivers one of the more competent drives in even the toughest conditions, which is a big part of the reason Subaru has such a loyal following.

It may not be a knock-your-socks-off type of vehicle, but the 2020 Subaru Impreza delivers a complete package that many buyers will be looking for.

2020 Subaru Impreza Sport-Tech with EyeSight
Price as tested: $32,445.00
Freight: $1,650.00
Configuration: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder/ Lineartronic CVT
Power/torque: 152 horsepower/ 145 ft-lb of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (50 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 7.5 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 9.8 L/100 km
Warranties: 3-years/60,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla , Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Golf

Links:
Subaru Canada