Available as a five-door hatchback only, the new Subaru Impreza introduces a new look, more technology and improved safety – but there’s no turbo or hybrid power, at least in the US.
The new 2023 Subaru Impreza has been revealed in the US – though Australian launch timing is yet to be confirmed.
Following a few months behind its high-riding Crosstrek SUV spin-off, the new Impreza – now available in five-door hatch form only, with no more sedan – introduces a new look and Subaru’s latest interior technology, but carry-over underpinnings and similar engines.
The new Impreza’s styling draws inspiration from the new Crosstrek – and other new Subaru models – with sharper LED headlights and tail-lights, and available 18-inch alloy wheels.
The fabled Impreza RS badge returns in North America, adding dark grey 18-inch alloys, black finishes for the grille, side skirts and mirror caps, RS badging on the doors, LED fog lights, and “upgraded” LED headlights.
Inside, the Impreza gains the Crosstrek’s 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, digitised climate controls, and banks of shortcut buttons along its edges.
The analogue instruments (with a small screen in the centre) carry across from the Crosstrek – rather than a 12.3-inch widescreen cluster available in Japanese-market WRX models – while sports seats are available on top model grades.
Other interior features include dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, a power sunroof, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
RS exclusives include gunmetal and faux carbon-fibre interior trim, black cloth sport seats with red bolster accents, RS-branded floor mats, an “upgraded” leather steering wheel and shifter, aluminium pedals, and rear charging ports.
Entry-level US models will be powered by a carry-over 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, with unchanged outputs (in US-market trim) of 113kW and 197Nm, with a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) with eight simulated ratios, and all-wheel drive.
Available on some models is a 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder developing 136kW and 245Nm, with the same CVT and all-wheel-drive system.
There’s no mention of the Crosstrek’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid system, which has also been carried over from the previous version of that car (the XV) – though it’s likely to be available in markets such as Japan or Europe.
Subaru has not confirmed dimensions for the new Impreza. The current car measures 4475mm long, 1775mm wide and 1480mm tall, riding on a 2670mm wheelbase.
The latest Crosstrek is 15mm longer overall, 30mm taller and 5mm longer in wheelbase than the model it replaces.
Under the skin, Subaru says the new Impreza’s body is 10 per cent stiffer and comes with three times more structural adhesive, claimed to improve performance, handling and noise levels.
The all-wheel-drive system now includes active torque vectoring, while a version of the WRX sports sedan’s dual-pinion electric power steering rack has been added.
Additions to the advanced safety suite include pedestrian and cyclist detection for the autonomous emergency braking system at intersections, and automatic emergency steering functionality for the lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems.
There is also a standard rear-seat reminder, and upgraded cameras and radars powering the safety systems.
The 2023 Subaru Impreza is due in US showrooms towards the middle of next year. Drive is awaiting confirmation of Australian launch timing.
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