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THIS IS THE fifth-generation Subaru Impreza, which is now sold exclusively as a five-door hatchback.
It’s not the most exciting car to look at – the exterior styling is a bit safe – but it isn’t a bad-looking car. I think it looks better in red than this navy colour. It is built on the new Subaru Global Platform, and this version of the Impreza is bigger than the old model.
However, most notably, it’s stronger and up to 100 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. What that means for the consumer is that this Impreza is extremely tough and exceptionally safe. In fact, the Impreza got the highest-ever JNCAP safety scores awarded to a car in crash tests conducted in its native Japan and was awarded Best in Class in the European NCAP tests.
The cabin is well put together and laid out. The materials are a mix of durable, hard wearing and soft touch. Everything feels solid and well put together. The seats are comfortable, there is plenty of room up front and storage too that helps keep the place looking tidy. Buttons are logically organised on the infotainment system and steering wheel and everything just works very well together.
You’ll fit two tall adults in the back with very few complaints and the wide opening boot can hold 385 litres with the rear seats up and 1,280 with the rear seats tumbled. So overall, practically and space is decent.
In Ireland, there’s one powertrain option; a turbocharged 1.6-litre ‘boxer’ petrol engine with a CVT automatic transmission and symmetrical four-wheel drive. The engine produces up to 114hp and 150Nm of torque. There are two trim levels from which to choose; S models at €25,995 or SE models at €29,995. S models get 16-inch wheels and cost €280 to tax. SE models get 17-inch alloys but these larger wheel push the tax up to €390 a year.
The Impreza doesn’t have the cheapest starting price for a family hatchback, but it does come with great levels of equipment. The EyeSight driver assistance system, adaptive cruise control, air-con, heated seats and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto all come as standard. As does four-wheel drive, and few rivals offer this apart from the more premium brands.
Out on the road, the new chassis feels sorted and the ride is firm but still plenty compliant. Grip is vice-like, body-lean is minimal and the steering is well-weighted. The cabin is relatively insulated from noise and once you are up to cruising speed, the Impreza impresses.
However, getting up to cruising speed can be a bit of an issue. The engine feels more underpowered than the specs would suggest on paper. This combined with the CVT gearbox makes for a rather lethargic performance and noisy acceleration. The nature of the CVT means that it works best when driven more smoothly – attempting a quick overtake tends to result in a steep climbing engine revs that are not matched by pace.
Overall, the Impreza’s all-wheel drive traction, excellent safety scores and outstanding reputation for reliability make for a sensible choice when looking for a family hatchback.
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You’ll be missed, Iain. :(
Thanks for the stories, you’ll be missed
RIP, Iain. You were bloody fantastic.
Started to re-read his books again since the news of illness. Sad to hear he died. Enjoying Whit all over again.
RIP
RIP
The Algebraist is one of my favourite sci-fi novels of all time.
I hope they make a culture movie!
Me two. Consider phleabus please.
RIP, thanks for the books. You will be remembered.
A brave, talented writer
RIP to a gifted writer.
Fantastic writer. I still have The Crow Road to read. So many great books by him.
RIP
Crow Road is a gem. I wish I could read it for the first time again.
Never read his books as not a si if fan, but as a fellow cancer sufferer, may he rest in peace.
Joan – “Viva forever / I’ll be waiting / Everlasting / Like the sun”
Joan he has as extensive a fiction catalog as he does science fiction. Well worth a read.
I’m finishing his most recent sci-fi right now, having just finished his most recent fiction.
My christmas books will meet be the same
Ronan obviously I’ve missed something, need to investigate, I’m an avid reader!
Joan.. He went under the name Iain M Banks when writing his sci fi novels… That should help.. Make sure to read the wasp factory and crow road… Bloody sublime.
Thanks Dave!
RIP – a great author. I love The Crow Road.
Why does God give people cancer?
Patrick, why indeed. 59 is no age but he achieved more than most and will be sadly missed.
Ah – I see a couple of right-wing religious nuts are out in force. They have no answers of course.
How sad … Read the wasp factory meny moons ago and it was a masterpiece … My English teacher borrowed it and said it was the best fiction he ever read . I think that says it all .. Great writer !
Tom sharpe and Iain banks in one week. Too sad. Dead air is my favourite banks book.
‘The Bridge’, ‘The Player of Games’ and ‘Use of Weapons’.
What a brilliant talent.
So sad, I loved the Wasp Factory. RIP
Never read any of his sci-fi but my personal favourite Complicity was a great and underrated book of his. A very talented storyteller. He leaves a valuable legacy to future generations who appreciate good writing.
Very sorry to hear this,huge fan, rest in peace Iain……
It’s a toss up who was the greatest SF writer, Banks or Philip K Dick. All very sudden. Apparently he didn’t suffer towards the end. 59 is very young nowadays. I’m reading The Hydrogen Sonata. Maybe I’ll read it slowly.
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