2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport 
Class: Compact Car
Miles Driven: 267
Fuel Used: 9.9 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 27.0 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | C+ |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 27/36/30 (city/highway/combined)
Base price: $21,995 (not including $820 destination charge)
Options on test car: Lineartonic CVT automatic transmission ($800), EyeSight obstacle-detection system with Harman/Kardon premium audio system and sunroof ($2945)
Price as tested: $26,560
Quick Hits
The great: Roomy for the class, steering feel
The good: Standard AWD, easy-to-use media interface
The not so good: Trails most class competitors in acceleration
More Impreza price and availability information
John Biel
Even if you don’t think the Sport model of the latest iteration of the Subaru Impreza is “sport” enough, you’ll probably have to admire the price. The all-wheel-drive compact sedan—a bit bigger and more powerful than before—starts at $21,995. With a bit of desirable equipment and destination folded in, the one that Consumer Guide® editors tested came in at $26,560.
Before you spend an extra dime, the 2017 Impreza Sport comes with a 2.0-liter “boxer” 4-cylinder engine, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, active torque vectoring, heated cloth front seats, heated exterior mirrors, aluminum pedal faces, keyless access, push-button starting, a multifunction information display, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, contrast stitching, simulated carbon-fiber dash and door-panel trim, decklid spoiler, Starlink infotainment displayed on an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, hands-free telephone and text capability, voice controls, satellite radio, and Starlink apps and connected safety services. CG’s test car added a continuously variable transmission (in place of the base 5-speed manual); moonroof; Harmon Kardon audio (an upgrade over the standard 6-speaker AM/FM/CD unit); and Eyesight driver assists including adaptive cruise control, automatic precollision braking, lane-departing warning and lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert.
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The redesigned ’17 Impreza has lengthened wheelbase by an inch and slightly increased exterior dimensions, too. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with direct injection makes 152 horsepower, a gain of four. It’s the only engine provided in Imprezas, and while it might be fine for other models in the lineup, it doesn’t seem like much for a car that calls itself Sport. With modest torque output (145 lb-ft at 4000 rpm) the powerplant doesn’t exactly blast the car off the line even if it does make for eminently capable highway cruising. In CVT-equipped cars, drivers can try to improve their experience by working the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the test car were 27 mpg in the city, 36 on the highway, and 30 combined. However, this driver clocked just 24.51 mpg after driving 146.9 miles, 72 percent of them in city conditions.
This driver liked the Impreza Sport‘s steering response. Also on hand to assist handling is the torque-vectoring system that increases stability through fast turns. Even with the tweaked suspension, ride quality still remained fairly supple. There was a sense of solidity over bumps, too. Subaru says the body structure of the new Impreza is more than 70 percent more rigid than before, and the test car certainly didn’t wiggle or rattle to any great degree over road-surface imperfections.
The larger package opens up a little bit more rear-seat legroom. Indeed, the new Impreza is pretty good in that department for the compact field. Furthermore, three adults could conceivably fit across the rear seat, though the middle rider wouldn’t enjoy as much headroom as the passengers in the outboard seats get. There’s a roomy feel up front, and driver vision is great, thanks to fairly slender roof pillars.
As for ambience, there is some barely spongy material on the upper half of the dash panel and the front doors. (Rear doors maintain the look but without any underlying give.) Soft-touch materials are found on the door centers and armrests. The consistently black look of the test car’s interior was relieved a bit by the subtle red highlights sewn into the seats, steering wheel, and other areas.
Audio and climate controls are easy to use. Locking in radio presets requires nothing more than finger taps on the screen because separate tuning and volume knobs are provided. Three dials let users get right to the climate settings they want. Meanwhile, personal-storage space is just OK. There’s a decent enough glove box but a smallish covered console box, pockets with bottle holders in front doors, much smaller pockets with bottle holders in rear doors, a storage pouch only on the back of the right-front seat, and no pull-down armrest in the middle of the rear seat, which means no cup holders. (Two exposed cup holders are in the console for use by front passengers.) An exposed bin at the front of the console contains USB and auxiliary ports.
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A wide trunk opening improves the ease of cargo loading. There’s a good amount of space on the flat trunk floor, and a tiny bit of room for a small item or two under the floor. Rear seats fold in a 60/40 split. The seat backs fold flat, but at a slight height above the level of the trunk floor—though a panel of trunk-lining material makes the transition smooth.
If your concept of “sport” in a car involves tire-smoking muscle, this Subaru is not your favorite Sport. If, however, you define it as pleasurable to drive while still being easy to afford, then this Impreza gets you into the game.
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