New Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited Sedan Review; 6 Significant Improvements for Compact Buyers

We drive the new Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited Sedan this week in Colorado’s high country and give it a thorough test. We found it has more luxury and comfort than the previous generation model. The new-generation Impreza comes with an improved ride, a more luxurious comfortable quiet cabin, a newly-updated automatic transmission, improved fuel mileage, new safety technology, and improved infotainment system.

What’s new for 2017?

The 2017 Subaru Impreza is all-new and comes with the new Subaru Global Platform which translates to multiple improvements for compact car consumers over the outgoing model. It's wider, longer and lower, and it features fresh new exterior styling. It features a roomier interior, a more powerful engine, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a suite of new safety technology.

Features and options

The 2017 Impreza 2.0i Limited sedan ($24,095) comes standard with a newly revised 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with 7-speed shift mode with steering wheel paddle shifters, leather upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 6-way power driver’s seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, rear vision camera, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both new to the Impreza, bringing it more in line with the competition.

The 2.0i Limited adds steering responsive LED headlights, High Beam Assist, keyless entry and ignition, an 8-inch touchscreen display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 2-stage heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, and chrome exterior door handles to set it apart.

This tester came with the optional EyeSight driver assist safety system, that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, Lane Keep/Change Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Alert, and Reverse Automatic Braking. The optional package also comes with a power moonroof, navigation and Harman/Kardon premium audio ($3,845). Total MSRP on this Limited tester including destination: $28,760.

Interior highlights

The cabin of the Impreza 2.0i Limited is a big improvement over the outgoing model and comes with added headroom, along with abundant front and rear legroom for taller adults. We had tall passengers in the back this week and they were impressed with the amount of legroom in the backseat. They also commented on the comfort of the leather seats, and the convenience of the rear seat armrest with cup holders to put their drinks.

There’s more luxury in the new Limited sedan than the outgoing model for sure. Upon entering the new cabin, we adjusted the tilt/telescoping steering wheel that allows plenty of movement, and the 6-way power driver’s seat makes it easy for taller adults to find the perfect driving position in the new compact. Visibility is excellent from the driver’s seat in all directions. More on Page 2.

The quality of materials have been significantly upgraded with plenty of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The leather seats are comfortable, and the silver stitching on the steering wheel and dash panel sets it apart. The redesigned cabin features easy to use radio controls, climate control knobs, and the 8-inch touchscreen interface is easy to operate and responded quickly to inputs. Technology is much improved with the all-new touchscreen as well as the addition of smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.

We had a cold snap in Denver this week and we appreciated the 2-stage heated front seats, and the heated outside mirrors along with the windshield wiper de-icer kept our vision clear in the cold and snow. Overall, the cabin of the 2.0i Limited is a comfortable place to spend time, offers up more luxury, comfort and amenities, and is a significant upgrade over the outgoing model.

Engine and fuel mileage specs

The 2017 Impreza 2.0i Limited sedan is powered by a newly-redesigned 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Impreza gets a small bump in power over the previous generation compact. This Limited tester comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with 7-speed shift mode with steering wheel paddle shifters. Fuel-mileage is improved with the sedan getting 28/38 city/highway mpg and 32 combined mpg. We averaged 35.5 mpg this week with the majority of our driving being highway miles.

Driving dynamics

This week we took the Impreza Limited sedan through city streets, and out on the open road between Denver and Colorado Springs for a thorough test. In the city commute, the compact sedan offered up an enjoyable quiet ride with its new sound-insulation windshield. We could tell the new Global Platform with 70 percent increased rigidity has improved the ride quality considerably. The Limited comes with new suspension dampers which also smooths out the bumps. The sedan soaked up the rough spots as we rumbled over railroad tracks, and on the open highway, the compact felt like a much bigger vehicle.

On the open road at 75-80 mph, the Impreza sedan is much quieter than the outgoing model, and redesigned outside mirrors made a big difference with keeping the noisy world out. Visibility is excellent in all directions thanks to the thin windshield pillars and small sectional windows near the windshield. The newly-redesigned 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with direct fuel injection, offers enough power for most driving situations. More on Page 3.

On I-25 traveling to Colorado Springs for a business appointment, we had no trouble passing slower traffic on the interstate. In the high-country west of Denver traveling home, the Impreza sedan sliced through the thin mountain air and we kept the sedan in the fast lane with no issues getting back up to speed even when slowed down by a truck who cut in front of us. As we traveled home in the dark, the new Steering Responsive headlights came in extra handy, and illuminated the blind corners and allowed us to see a deer before it darted out in front of us.

We were especially impressed with the newly-redesigned continuously variable transmission (CVT). Most CVTs wind up relentlessly and it sounds like a jet plane taking off. The Impreza’s upgraded automatic shifts more like a conventional automatic which is a welcome change. Driving enthusiasts can power through the gears with the steering wheel paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. The newly-redesigned Impreza’s CVT automatic is much improved over the previous generation model.

Subaru is all about safety, and this Impreza Limited tester came with the optional new-generation EyeSight driver assist system. EyeSight features adaptive cruise control system which did a good job of keeping an ideal distance behind cars ahead as we traveled on the interstate this week. It also features Blind Spot detection with Lane Keeping asset, and Rear Cross traffic alert, automatic reverse braking, and a standard rearview camera for extra safety. The integrated warning lights in the side mirrors allowed us to see a car traveling in our blind spot more than once this week.

Conclusion

The all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited sedan comes with more luxury, comfort and amenities than the previous generation model. It comes with an improved ride, a more comfortable quiet cabin, a newly-updated automatic transmission, new safety technology, and improved infotainment system. The Impreza Limited sedan offers more amenities and is a comfortable place to spend time commuting in the city, and more enjoyable to drive on the open road than the outgoing model.
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Image credit: Subaru