Why New Subaru Impreza Gets an A+ for Best Interior; The Old Model Got a Failing Grade

What used to get a failing grade is now one of the new Subaru Impreza’s strong points. The new 2017 Impreza’s interior gets recognized as being one of the 10 Best by WardsAuto.com. The Impreza sedan and 5-Door compacts get the award for having all-new design language, for intuitive multi-media system, and for styling and finishes.

This is a 180 degree turn-around for the Subaru Impreza. It once had one of the least desirable interiors in its class. This award signifies a real turning point for the brand that has been criticized for its interior quality and design. The new Subaru Corporation spent $1 Billion on the new-generation Impreza and it shows. Most went into developing the Subaru Global Platform that underpins the compact car, but Subaru also spent money on the inside.

This award recognizes vehicles with outstanding achievement in aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, materials usage, fit-and-finish and user-friendly electronics. WardsAuto doesn’t put a price cap, and the nominees consist of interiors that are all-new or have been significantly improved from the prior year. This year, 31 interiors were eligible, and the Impreza is now one of the 10 Best going.

Impreza cabin gets a total makeover

Subaru engineers totally re-designed the 2017 Impreza compact both outside and inside. The cabin gets a thorough remodel with a new clean design language, intuitive center stack with multifunction display, center air vents, updated multimedia system and climate control. WardsAuto said, “We haven’t seen a compact car improve this dramatically since last year, when the Honda Civic earned a 10 Best Interiors nod.”

In our recent review of the Impreza cabin, we found it to be a big improvement over the out going model. We said in the review, “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 set 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.”

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

More on PAGE 2- This year’s winners

Here’s this year’s WardsAuto winners in alphabetical order. Alfa Romeo Giulia ($50,490 as tested), Bentley Bentayga ($278,730), Buick LaCrosse ($50,270), Honda CR-V ($34,635), Lexus LC 500 ($102,995), Lincoln Continental ($72,870), Maserati Levante ($90,000), Mazda CX-9 ($45,855), Mini Countryman ($38,450), Subaru Impreza ($29,260).

The all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza gets an A+ from WardsAuto for it’s new interior design, multi-media system, and for styling and finishes. What used to get a failing grade, is now one the compact car’s strong points.

Photo credit: Subaru