2017 Subaru Impreza: What's It Like to Live With?

We added a 2017 Subaru Impreza to our long-term fleet to see if it's now on par with the class-leading Honda Civic.

What do you want to know about?

Introduction
Monthly Update for April 2017
Monthly Update for May 2017
Monthly Update for June 2017
Monthly Update for July 2017
Monthly Update for August 2017
Monthly Update for September 2017
Monthly Update for October 2017
Monthly Update for November 2017
Monthly Update for December 2017
Monthly Update for January 2018
Monthly Update for February 2018
Monthly Update for March 2018
Wrap-Up

Introduction

What Did We Buy?
Compact sedans are a popular choice for car buyers who want a fuel-efficient car that's easy to drive. Within that class, the Subaru Impreza has long been the offbeat choice because of its quirky styling, horizontally opposed engine, tight cabin and standard all-wheel drive. A full redesign for 2017 has brought the Impreza closer to the mainstream, though. The cabin is roomier, and new exterior styling gives the Impreza a more sophisticated look. It still comes standard with all-wheel drive, but the fuel economy penalty has been significantly reduced thanks to improved engine technology.

There are now four levels of trim for the Impreza. We chose to go with the top-of-the-line Limited trim in order to put the Impreza on the same level as our recently departed Honda Civic sedan. Like all Imprezas for 2017, the Limited comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission comes standard.

What Options Does It Have?
Going with the Limited doesn't leave much on the options list. It's already loaded up with most of the features you would expect in a modern compact sedan, along with plenty of extras. Compared to the trim levels below it, the Limited trim adds leather upholstery, a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, automatic climate control and unique 17-inch wheels.

There are still options at this level, however, and we added nearly all of them with the lyrically named "Option Package 35." It bundles Subaru's EyeSight safety system with an upgraded audio setup, moonroof, high-beam assist and navigation. There are a few different versions of this package, so you don't have to pay up for everything in order to get the safety stuff.

Why We Bought It
The Impreza has done well as an alternative to mainstream compact cars, but it hasn't challenged the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla directly in terms of overall sales. Subaru designed the 2017 model to push it one step closer to being a legitimate player in this important segment of the market. The high-performance Impreza WRX models will always have their fans, but it's the standard models like our long-termer that will move the needle on the sales charts.

Over the next year we'll see how it stacks up against the Civic we tested in 2016 since that has become the standard of the segment. If the Impreza can compete with the Civic, it will have a good chance of winning you over, too.

Follow its progress on our long-term road test updates and our Instagram account.

The manufacturer provided this vehicle for the purpose of evaluation.

Monthly Update for April 2017

by Josh Sadlier, Senior Manager of Content Strategy

Where Did We Drive It?
This is the first monthly update for our long-term 2017 Subaru Impreza since the Introduction went live, which makes it a little special. We were still getting to know our Impreza in April, so you'll find a number of first impressions in the comments below. The Impreza definitely made the rounds this month, heading deep into Orange County with Editor Dan Frio and way up north to Fresno with Editor Brent Romans.

So far, we've been impressed by the responsive handling and user-friendly touchscreen interface, and multiple editors have said they simply like the car — there's something fundamentally endearing about it. We're not sold on the powertrain, however, from the underwhelming 2.0-liter flat-four engine to the uninspiring continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Maybe it'll grow on us, but at this point in the long-term Civic's test, we were already raving about the Honda's turbocharged performance. Also of note, both Frio and Romans called out the Impreza's sunroof shade — not usually a hot topic among vehicle testers — for its substandard construction.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Impreza isn't off to a rousing start on this front. Despite EPA estimates of 32 mpg combined and 38 mpg highway, our average is mired in the mid-20s, with an all-time high that barely exceeds the EPA combined figure. It's early, of course, but we have yet to be impressed. Here's how the current data breaks down.

Average lifetime mpg: 26.3
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 2,221 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
"We received notification recently that our long-term Subaru Impreza was part of a new service campaign recall, WTP-75, specifying that the ECU [engine control unit] be reprogrammed. Apparently, winter-blend gasoline under certain conditions could vaporize, causing engine hesitation or stalling at low speeds. I hadn't noticed any of this with our test car, but brought it in for service anyway. My local dealer (Lithia Subaru of Fresno) took care of the reprogramming in about an hour. Our Impreza is back in action." — Brent Romans, senior editor

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"Dear long-term Impreza: Are you suffering from low T? Your 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT just don't get me excited. I know, I know, it's all about fuel economy these days. But you're undeniably slow, and I often find I'm revving your engine more than I should just to keep up with traffic. Your CVT doesn't have a Sport mode, either. Compared to the turbocharged Honda Civic, you just can't win my love. I'm sorry. Oh no, don't cry! It's not you, it's me. Wait ... no, it's you." — Brent Romans

"Really like a lot about this car. It's light but doesn't feel insubstantial. Simple, but has most of what you want for daily use. But the CVT is a deal breaker. Am still trying to wrap my head around Impreza with a CVT, even though I know it's been around awhile. It just seems wrong, like a peanut butter and ketchup sandwich. And this CVT is just no fun, even with the paddle shifters that foster the illusion of doing something useful. To give the Impreza the spurs and approximate a downshift, you pull the paddle twice, wait through the lag, then endure an unpleasant racket from under the hood to slingshot around slower traffic. Didn't this company once win rally championships?" — Dan Frio, automotive editor

"I like the sporty handling our new long-term Subaru Impreza seems to have. I haven't been able to take it out on any twisty roads yet, so consider this preliminary opinion. But just throwing it around a few local turns near my house, I've been impressed with our Impreza. It turns in quickly, the body stays pretty flat in corners, and the tires offer decent grip. Like a Mazda 3 or a Honda Civic, it's a car I think you can have some fun driving when the road bends." — Brent Romans

"I actually like this car a lot. It feels lively at city speeds (although flooring it betrays just how little power there really is), and it's generally nice to drive." — Will Kaufman, associate automotive editor

Technology-Audio
"Subaru's latest Starlink infotainment system seems to work pretty well. It has physical buttons for the menu shortcuts, 8 inches of touchscreen real estate, a tuning knob, quick responses and big virtual buttons. I haven't played around with any of the smartphone apps but all the good stuff, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is included. Using this system is easy." — Brent Romans

"How many times have you been embarrassed at a stoplight when you didn't notice the light turned green and the driver behind you blared his horn to get you moving? Our Impreza has a neat bonus feature to help you out. It monitors the stopped car ahead of you. If that car starts to move off, and you're still stationary, it gives you a subtle beeping warning. The timing of the beep seems ideal. It's not too quick to be annoying, but not too slow that the driver behind you is likely to go for the horn." — Brent Romans

"Subaru EyeSight is the big new technology in this car, and I'm a little ambivalent. On the one hand, nothing it does is overly intrusive, and many of its features are useful. It's definitely made for a world where people have their eyes on their phones or infotainment screens instead of on the road, and it addresses not just the dangers that creates, but the annoyances — it beeps at you if the car in front has moved away and you haven't taken your foot off the brake. It's also the only way to get adaptive cruise control, and it's a good ACC system. But on the other hand, while EyeSight's warning beeps aren't very loud, they're a consistent sound in the cabin when dealing with L.A. city and highway traffic. Maybe this is a personal gripe: I don't like the idea that the future of safety is my car looking over my shoulder while I drive. Ultimately, I'd still get the car with EyeSight because that's the only way to get ACC." — Will Kaufman

"I respect the high amount of safety tech Subaru has packed into the new Impreza. But I'm less fond of how the car constantly keeps a warning light on in the gauge cluster if you turn the lane departure warning system off. I turned it off for a reason — unlike, say, blind-spot monitoring, I find lane departure more annoying than valuable most of the time — and I don't need the car to constantly remind me of it. Having that warning light always on makes me think there's something wrong with the car even though there's not." — Brent Romans

Interior
"The interior is an improvement over a lot of past Subarus, especially when it comes to sound deadening." — Will Kaufman

"Like the last Impreza, this one also feels a bit like a tin can, especially in the all-important Door-Close Thunk Test. Suffice it to say, there's not much heft to that sound, although Subaru has proven over and over again that its cars don't wilt against a little hard use. While it's nice to know we could kick the Impreza around a bit in the snow or a graded dirt trail, it's still a bummer that at less than 1,000 miles we've got what appears to be a chronic sunroof shade rattle. No amount of sliding or finagling seems to dampen it. It's as if the shade is resting in its tracks too loosely. We'll need to investigate a fix, but it's a disappointment this early into our test." — Dan Frio

"Our long-term Impreza's sunroof shade is flimsy and poorly made. Issue No. 1: Its grab handle has come out on one side. I'm pretty sure I could just pull the whole thing out with a tug. The shade also vibrates occasionally with an annoying buzz when I've got the car's sound system turned up loud. It's likely due to the more prodigious bass output coming from our Impreza's optional Harman Kardon sound system. It's like Subaru made the shade out of a piece of cardboard and covered it in rough fabric. From a new vehicle standpoint, the quality here is very disappointing." — Brent Romans

Comfort
"I wish the seats were a tad softer, but overall they're comfortable, and I never found myself fidgeting to avoid pressure points." — Will Kaufman

Miscellaneous
"The new Impreza has an unabashedly small-car character from the driver's seat. Unlike the latest Civic, which I've recommended to multiple would-be Accord owners because it feels big enough to be a substitute, the Impreza reminds me not a whit of the midsize Legacy. But that could be a good thing if you're tired of every generation feeling larger than the last. This Impreza stands small and proud in a segment that some might argue is getting too big for its britches." — Josh Sadlier

Monthly Update for May 2017

by Jonathan Elfalan, Senior Road Test Editor

Where Did We Drive It?
Not everyone on the Edmunds team has had a chance to sit behind the wheel of our newish long-term 2017 Subaru Impreza, yours truly included, but the overall sentiment continues to be favorable. Solid build quality and a nicely executed infotainment system are the predominant observations. What hasn't impressed us about this Impreza? There are a few surprises in the comments below, but mainly it's fuel economy.

Road Test Editor Calvin Kim logged some solid highway miles driving from our offices in Santa Monica to Flagstaff, Arizona. Despite traveling nearly 1,000 miles on the highway, our fuel economy average didn't improve. Senior Consumer Advice Editor Ron Montoya was able to utilize the Subie's rear seat to safely transport a 10-year-old 40-inch Samsung flatscreen across the city of L.A. Of note, Ron says anything bigger likely wouldn't have fit, especially if you stand the television up as the manufacturer recommends.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Impreza's fuel economy numbers last month failed to impress at an average of 26.3 mpg, and they seem to be moving in the wrong direction despite logging some decent highway-heavy tanks. Our most efficient month occurred in March, when most of the Impreza's break-in miles were performed and we had an rpm limit.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.6
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 4,107 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Technology

"I like the Impreza's touchscreen interface. The graphics are colorful and crisp like a smartphone, and response times seem quick. Better than our departed long-term Civic's touchscreen? I'd say it's not even close. Subaru takes this round in a landslide." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager of content strategy

"I managed to find the setting for how aggressively our Impreza's adaptive cruise control will accelerate, and switched it to 'Dynamic' from 'Standard.' I'm pretty sure the car went full throttle whenever a space opened up. Not that full throttle is overly impressive in this car. I guess it's nice to have that setting, but in slow-n-go traffic it was way too aggressive." — Will Kaufman, associate automotive editor

"It's a little thing but I like the top infotainment screen that's atop the dash. It's perfect for a quick glance of what's up, i.e., time, temperature and satellite radio station. Sort of like the Apple Watch to the iPhone. Another thoughtful design is that the screen is recessed and shaded by a hood so you can always see it even at high noon. Plus it won't suffer that 'screen too hot' issue that cars like our Mazda MX-5 did." — Caroline Pardilla, copy editor

"I was a bit skeptical of the dual screen display in the 2017 Subaru Impreza at first. This setup has never really worked well for me in Hondas, Acuras and Infinitis. But the Impreza's implementation is different. Rather than split your gaze vertically, to illustrate different pieces of information, like the other systems, Subaru opted for the top screen to function more like a secondary information display. It offers information like fuel economy, audio information, weather, compass and additional gauges, not unlike what you'd see in the center cluster in other cars. I prefer to keep the top screen for audio information, as it tells me what track is playing, while I use the center screen for navigation." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice Editor

"Android Auto is still a relatively new feature for both cars and phones, so there are bound to be bugs, but our Impreza has given me more consistent issues than any other car I've driven. Sometimes, Android Auto just fails to connect, and there's no way to force it to work. Manually launching the app, unplugging and replugging the phone, restarting the phone, restarting the car ... unplugging the phone, restarting both it and the car, and then plugging the phone back in.... The only cure seems to be patience. After a while, it starts working again. It's a frustrating issue, especially during my morning commute when I rely on Google Maps to tell me if there are major traffic issues I need to avoid." — Will Kaufman

Interior

"It's my first time in this new Subaru, and the interior quality has taken a palpable step up since the last one. And the driving position is easy to set to my liking thanks to a generous range of telescopic adjustment in the steering column." — Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing

Comfort

"Interesting choice by Subaru on the level of steering effort here. It's unusually high at low speeds and takes a little more muscle to maneuver the car than you'd think. I don't mind it myself as it arguably imparts a sportier, more connected feel. But shoppers looking for fingertip-light power assist may well be disappointed." — Josh Sadlier

"I'm a fan of the Impreza's steering wheel buttons. The volume lever in particular juts out like a light switch, which makes it easy to locate and operate. It worked so well that I preferred it to the actual volume knob on the dash, which traditionally has been my 'crank it up' method of choice." — Ron Montoya

"Certain freeway surfaces or circumstances trigger a surprisingly persistent low-pitched thrum from somewhere low in the car, such as the tires. Not what I would have expected, as these are roads I generally don't characterize as noisy. I'll need to spend more time in this car at a wider range of speeds to get to the bottom of it." — Dan Edmunds

Miscellaneous

"This horn is from 1982. It's from a 1982 Subaru GL. There's no other way to explain it." — Kurt Niebuhr, photo editor

"Let's talk about the Impreza's keyfob. Of course this little nit is inconsequential to someone who owns this car, but at first glance it seems there's no way to unlock the doors. However, if you look closely (and have great eyesight) you'd see that teeny-tiny unlock symbol to the right of the Subaru logo. Kind of like they realized people wouldn't guess where the unlock button was otherwise and squeezed the symbol in there." — Caroline Pardilla

Monthly Update for June 2017

by Jonathan Elfalan, Road Test Manager

Where Did We Drive It?
This month, the staff sentiment seems to be split when it comes to our 2017 Subaru Impreza's transmission. Some find the Subie's continuously variable automatic transmission's habit of simulating gear ratios more favorable to the usual unrelenting buzz of more traditional CVTs while others think it defeats the purpose of having a CVT in the first place. One thing we all can agree on, though, is that our Impreza's fuel economy has been somewhat of a disappointment. This looks like a familiar story from 2012.

We logged just shy of 1,000 miles, mostly around town, compared to nearly 2,000 miles last month. Dan Edmunds, our vehicle testing director, ventured out to historic Route 66 for a weekend, while Senior Writer Carlos Lago expanded his horizons at the local Yogurtland — he highly recommends the salted caramel pecan.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Impreza's reputation for underperforming fuel economy continues its downward trend from an average of 25.6 last month, to 25.2 mpg this month. We saw a single tank over 31 mpg, but most were in the low 20-mpg range or below. If you own a similar Impreza model, we're interested to hear if your experience differs.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.2
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 5,374 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Technology
"This cruise control is weird. Usually, a quick tap on the accel/decel buttons will give you a 1-mph speed change, and a lingering push will get you a 5-mph change. But the Impreza is backward: A quick tap gets you 5 mph; a press and hold gets you 1. I hate this. It's counterintuitive and maybe even dangerous if you inadvertently tap it. Other things to note: You are able to switch off adaptive cruise, but every time you key off you have to rearm the cruise control and it always defaults to the adaptive setting. Also the car slows in corners while cruise is active." — Dan Edmunds, director, vehicle testing

"I generally find the Subaru EyeSight system to function pretty well. Today was especially impressive — the system was able to detect an empty trash bag floating through my lane on the highway and warned me of its presence. Thankfully no evasive maneuvers were required — we've heard trashbags don't feel pain — but I feel like the system gave me enough lead time in the case that I did have to take action. Pretty cool stuff." — Jonathan Elfalan, road test manager

Performance
"Count me as a fan of this latest-generation Subaru CVT automatic. It never seems to call attention to itself with any of the slurred CVT weirdness of the past, and the drive up and over the Cajon Pass on Interstate 15 was smooth and loaded with zero-shift goodness. It helps that the engine noise is fairly well subdued, too. This package feels better than a traditional automatic." — Dan Edmunds

"Finished the weekend with a distaste for the CVT. The transmission fakes gear changes at medium throttle, which feel unnatural and worsen acceleration. Dig into the throttle, like when you're merging onto a road with quick-moving traffic, and the Impreza initially responds like you'd expect. But right before the engine reaches its 4,000-rpm torque peak, the acceleration flattens out and engine speed falls. It takes a beat before it resumes. This also happens at higher speeds. I assume this behavior is to make the CVT feel more like a standard automatic, but the effect feels strange and makes it seem like the engine is always hunting. This makes for an uneven, nonlinear response when you keep your foot in the same position. It also makes the car slower. A CVT is capable of continually and smoothly adjusting ratios to keep the engine at its ideal rpm. By simulating gearshifts, this CVT undermines one of the benefits CVT technology provides." — Carlos Lago, senior writer

"What's with the steering? It's super sludgy around center. It's not that it's too heavy; it's that the on-center weighting is poor. Feels like the rack is filled with molasses. Odd." — Jason Kavanagh, engineering editor

"Others have complained about this Subie's lack of power, but I thought I should reserve judgment until I could experience it for myself. Their complaints are not misplaced. Having done the monthly update last month, I can see why our Impreza's fuel economy has been so disappointing. Driving around California you essentially have to floor it almost everywhere to keep up with traffic. The low-end torque feels pretty good at the start, but then you realize there isn't much power beyond it. It's such a shame that there isn't an engine between this and the Impreza WRX, because it actually handles decently. If this thing had Honda's turbocharged four-cylinder, it would probably be one of my favorite compacts." — Jonathan Elfalan

Interior
"A couple of mirror-related comments. The side mirrors are door-mounted, which is great. This significantly improves visibility compared to when mirrors are located at the base of the windshield pillar. However, these mirrors do not adjust outward far enough. From my seating position (roughly a third to a quarter forward of the farthest seat position from the steering wheel), the mirrors stop moving outward at the point when the side of the car is at the inner edge of the mirror's view. Basically, the Impreza's mirrors do not have enough range to accommodate the mirror-setting technique published by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) in 1995. Which is, of course, how everyone should be setting their mirrors to minimize blind spots." — Jason Kavanagh

Monthly Update for July 2017

by Will Kaufman, Associate Automotive Editor

Where Did We Drive It?
This July, our 2017 Subaru Impreza made the trip out to our Fresno branch office where it spent most of the month with Senior Editor Brent Romans handling both long and short commutes. So if you've ever wondered what Senior Editor Brent Romans thinks about our Impreza, you're in luck.

The Subaru continues to have its ups and downs, remaining likable if imperfect. Keep reading to find out what Senior Editor Brent Romans liked and what he thinks needs improvement.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Fuel economy for the blue Subie continues to disappoint. We put almost 1,500 miles on the "Blubie" in July, many of those on the freeway. In spite of those extended freeway stints, we failed to set a new tank record; our best fill in July was only 32 mpg. All those freeway miles marginally increased our lifetime fuel average to 25.8 mpg. Those numbers fall substantially short of the EPA estimated 32 mpg combined (28 city/38 highway).

Average lifetime mpg: 25.8
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 6,845 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance

"We've had very little to say about our Impreza's engine and CVT that's positive in the last few months. I'm keeping that streak going in July, unfortunately. There's some odd low-speed hesitation going here. In heavy traffic situations, say when you might be frequently getting on and off the gas at around 20-30 mph, the Impreza can stumble or hesitate for a moment when you get back on the gas.

"Around that same speed, I've also noticed a lack of smoothness when slowing down with the brakes, as if the CVT is disengaged, eliminating the otherwise expected engine braking effect. Both of these issues seem more prominent when first starting up." — Brent Romans, senior editor

"I dig the way our Impreza takes a set around turns. Interestingly, though, it's not a quality that's immediately apparent. Unlike, say, the Mazda 3, the steering is a bit heavy and not particularly quick. It doesn't encourage you to drive with enthusiasm, at least initially. But grab the Impreza by the proverbial scruff of the neck and turn in with authority. It rewards you with impressive stability and balance, and the all-wheel-drive system allows you to feed in some gas without losing traction. It's a fun car to drive around turns once you're familiar with it. In fact, it's my favorite quality about our long-termer right now." — Brent Romans

"I'm thinking the rear shocks are a little on the soft side. Going over a speed hump at 15 miles an hour, there's so much travel in the rear that I think I'm hearing the trunk floor/spare tire cover lift up and then thump back down. Otherwise, the ride in the 'Blubaru' is pretty good around town and on the highway." — Kurt Niebuhr, photo editor

Comfort

"I've driven our Impreza about 800 miles in the past week, and much of that was on the highway. Overall, it's decently comfortable for long drives. Wind noise isn't very noticeable, but there is a fair amount of tire noise, particularly on concrete roadways. The ride is choppy on rough pavement. As for the driver's seat, I've been comfortable enough for four or five hours of driving. But I could see where others won't be. My co-worker Cameron, for instance, told me how he dislikes the forward-canted head restraint, cramped footwell next to the gas pedal, and lack of a tilt function for the power seat base. It's a deal breaker for him. I can see his point." — Brent Romans

Interior

"I like the layout and look of the Impreza's interior. The physical shortcut buttons below the touchscreen are useful, as are the audio volume and selection/tuning knobs. They combine nicely with the other functions available through the touchscreen. The three-knob automatic climate control system is easy to set and use, too. Visually, there's just enough metallic accents to break up the monotone black plastic. The stitched seam along the passenger side of the dashboard is kind of cool, too." — Brent Romans

"Sightlines in the Impreza are very good. It's an easy car to see out of. The nose of the Impreza is visible from the driver's seat, which helps make parking easier. I also like the door-mounted side mirrors that free up some extra visibility to the side, the relatively thin roof pillars and the clear view out the back." — Brent Romans

Technology-Audio

"I like the view provided by the rearview camera and 8-inch touchscreen. It's easy to see what's behind you thanks to the crisp graphics. Our Impreza's rear cross-traffic alert system and dynamic guidelines (they bend when you turn the wheel to show your route) are useful in parking lots, too." — Brent Romans

"This has to be the buggiest infotainment system I've seen in years. While using Android Auto, something went wrong and the volume control got stuck on navigation volume, and the stereo output was only coming from the rear-seat speakers. So I couldn't adjust the music volume, and the sound was tinny and awful.

"I tried unplugging my phone and plugging it back in, switching audio sources, playing with the audio settings, turning the head unit on and off. Nothing worked. Finally, I put a new route into my phone's nav, and when the voice guidance went off it returned the system to normal.

"I guess it's nice to see a new car with some quirks in its personality?" — Will Kaufman, associate automotive editor

Monthly Update for August 2017

by Calvin Kim, Road Test Editor

Where Did We Drive It?
Our 2017 Subaru Impreza had a relatively uneventful August. It saw a lot of city commuting from numerous drivers, and we have some differing opinions. Some of our drivers are finally sampling its driver assist functions and infotainment system, and yes, the infotainment setup is still acting wonky. At this point, the new-car smell is gone, and our normal cadre of drivers are starting to have other thoughts about our little blue sedan.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Much like in July, our Impreza saw about 1,500 miles during the month of August. During that month, the city- and traffic-heavy commutes that our drivers experienced took its toll on the lifetime mileage as it dropped a couple of tenths overall. The high for this month was only 28.5 mpg, just barely cracking the city rating. The average was a paltry 24.6 mpg over six fill-ups.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.6
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 8,362 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights
Performance
"The Impreza is a capable commuter car. I found it had plenty of torque with which to zip away from stoplights (when possible). It's also a cinch to maneuver on the tight side streets of L.A., and the backup camera with dynamic guidelines is super helpful during parallel parking. In fact, the Impreza's now on my short list of cars to consider when my lease is up in a few months." — Kathleen Clonts, copy chief

"The Impreza is a perfectly pleasant commuter car, but I worry that there's not enough character here to make it stand out. Maybe it's the CVT; I dislike CVTs in general and this one's not changing my mind. Maybe it's the 2.0-liter engine, which has that familiar boxer-four grumble but notably less power and torque than the 2.5-liter unit that went away with the 2012 redesign. Overall, this Impreza just seems less lovably quirky than some of its predecessors. I don't mind driving it, but I also don't feel the kind of fondness for it that previous Imprezas engendered." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Technology-Audio
"I loved, loved, loved the bright and prominent blind-spot alert in the side mirrors. As a driver in L.A., you always have to be on alert for what's going on around you, and this feature makes the job easier." — Kathleen Clonts

"The Impreza's Starlink system is aesthetically pleasing and a big improvement on the previous gen's infotainment interface, but I came across a big glitch this week. Someone had left an XM radio station on with the sound at about half volume. I went to change the station, pressed the Radio icon on the screen and everything froze. The screen was stuck with 'Subaru Starlink' plastered across it and none of the buttons, knobs or various controls on the dashboard or the steering wheel work — but the radio station kept playing. I stopped the car multiple times, turned off the ignition, got out, locked it, unlocked it and got back in (all in hopes of resetting the system) but nothing worked. The volume stayed the same, the radio station stayed the same, but I had no control over either. After having the Impreza parked for a few hours, I came back out to try again. Success! Everything was back in normal working order like the freeze had never occurred. It was definitely a strange occurrence though and one we'll be looking out for in the future." — Travis Langness, staff writer

Comfort
"It was my first time in the Impreza, and I instantly felt comfortable in the driver's seat. With just a couple of adjustments and support from the firm bolsters, it felt like I had been driving the car forever." — Kathleen Clonts

Miscellaneous
"Our Impreza is solid car that seems to do everything well. It looks clean, rides comfortably and has nice layout to the interior. However, aside from having all-wheel drive, it doesn't do much to make it stand out from the competition. The Mazda 3 handles better, the Honda Civic will have better fuel economy, and the Kia Forte is probably a better bargain in terms of selling price. I already voted with my wallet and bought a Mazda 3." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor

Monthly Update for September 2017

by Rex Tokeshi-Torres, Vehicle Testing Technician

Where Did We Drive It?
What happens when you use our 2017 Subaru Impreza as a commute vehicle numerous times at the height of Los Angeles gridlock? Your mpg continues to drop and you get to know the vehicle really well, both the good and bad. Road Test Editor Calvin Kim alluded to the "wonky infotainment system" last month, and Senior Writer Carlos Lago and I can further attest to the wonkiness with said system using our Google Pixel phones.

Infotainment system aside, the Impreza impressed others in many ways. One of our freelance contributors, who owns a previous-generation Impreza, noted the improvement in the current car's interior quality. He was also happy with more interior room, a larger infotainment display, and the better leather and soft-touch materials used throughout.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The use of our Impreza dropped slightly in September, logging only 1,300 miles on the odometer. Since it was primarily used as a commute warrior, our lifetime mpg took a hit by 0.3 mpg, dropping it to 25.3 mpg. The best mpg we could muster for September was a measly 24.2 mpg, which falls well short of even the EPA's city rating. The month's average was 23.2 mpg, while the best range we eked out was only 246.6 miles.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.3 mpg
EPA mpg rating: 32 mpg combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6 mpg
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 9,700 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"Subaru's adaptive cruise control system is pretty trick, though it has a somewhat small window of effectiveness. In my experience, it's best when freeway traffic moves at a consistent pace, and during the 0-10-mph, bumper-to-bumper city traffic that often clogs my commute. In these situations, it maintains a comfortable following distance but not so much that other drivers will easily fit in between. I like that you can adjust the aggressiveness of the acceleration; the engine's pretty pokey, so it needs more gas than the default setting delivers. You can also just hit the gas to keep pace with traffic and then release to let the cruise control take over.

"On the downside, the system waits a little too long to apply the brakes when you're approaching stopped traffic ahead, as if it's not scanning far enough ahead. I also don't like that the system deactivates if you stop for more than five or 10 seconds, as I often do in stop-and-go traffic. Other adaptive cruise systems have no problem resuming acceleration after a brief stop. Why can't the Impreza's?" — Carlos Lago, senior writer

"I echo Jonathan's complaint about the backwards cruise control adjustment. Tapping the rocker changes the target speed in 5-mph increments, while holding it up or down adjusts in 1-mph increments. I'd rather have it the other way around, so you can make quick, minor adjustments with a few taps, instead of big, 5-mph changes. It's a minor annoyance, sure."
— Carlos Lago

"The Impreza has been super comfortable during my two-hour commute. It's only 30 miles, but being in this thing really eases the usual tension. I will say that when I spot open [traffic] pockets, I wish it had more power. Then again, they have a WRX for that." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres, vehicle testing technician

Interior
"Noticed a bit of wear on the Impreza's inner side roof pillar. Looks like it's from the metal part of the seat belt repeatedly banging against it. You'd figure an automaker would expect serious wear here, considering how people let seat belts fly after undoing them." — Carlos Lago

Miscellaneous
"From the rally cars in the '90s to the HyperBlue and Series.Blue special editions of the BRZ and WRX, I've come to know Subaru as a brand that gets pretty adventurous with its blues. As for the Island Blue Pearl on our Impreza? That might be a little too adventurous, but it sure makes our sedan pop out in traffic and super easy to spot in a parking lot. I can accept the color, but I have a harder time with the chrome trim surrounding the windows and on the door handles that comes standard on Limited trim levels. Any enterprising Impreza owners with black door handles want to trade?" — Carlos Lago

Technology-Audio
"That Android Auto startup issue I experienced seems to be related specifically to the Bluetooth connection. I leave Bluetooth off to conserve battery life, and normally when I plug my phone into a car with Android Auto, it automatically activates and pairs Bluetooth as part of its startup process. The Impreza doesn't do this process so easily. It activates Bluetooth, pairs, and displays the Android Auto button on the infotainment screen, but pressing it does nothing. The only way I've been able to get Android Auto to boot without issue is to activate Bluetooth and wait for it to pair before plugging in my phone. A minor annoyance, and I wonder if anyone has had similar issues with Android or iOS phones." — Carlos Lago

"Carlos and I have experienced similar issues connecting our Google Pixels and using Android Auto on the infotainment system. When we plug in our phones immediately after starting the car, Android Auto doesn't start. The button appears on the display, but tapping it does nothing. However, after unplugging and plugging the cable in again, it works just fine. If we wait 10 or 15 seconds after starting the car, Android Auto works as intended. Otherwise, everything else is flawless." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres

Monthly Update for October 2017

by Mark Takahashi, Senior Writer

Where Did We Drive It?
In addition to the typical commuting duties, our long-term 2017 Subaru Impreza made two round trips from L.A. to San Diego, another to Laguna Beach and one more up to the desert. In the process, we crested the midway milestone of 10,000 miles just a few weeks after we passed the six-month mark in our test. Along the way, we gained a few more insights from the staff.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Over the 1,357 miles we logged in October, we pumped 62 gallons of fuel into the tank. That comes to a monthly average of 21.9 mpg and increased our lifetime average by a mere 0.1 mpg. We're still nowhere close to matching the EPA's estimated city mileage, though. Our best range and fuel economy out of a single tank remain unchanged, too.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.4
EPA mpg rating: 32 mpg combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best-fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 11,075 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights
Performance
"I'll say something nice about a CVT-equipped car for once: I like how this Impreza jumps off the line from a stop. CVTs aren't known for being responsive to throttle inputs, but Subaru has tuned this one to provide right-now acceleration when the light turns green. Of course, the humble 2.0-liter engine quickly runs out of steam after that, but the initial responsiveness is a nice surprise." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Comfort
"I pointed the Impreza south towards a media event in Rancho Santa Fe, which is just short of San Diego. With a full tank, it was going to be a nonstop 116-mile blast, or so I thought. Even though I left well before the typical peak traffic time, I ran into some significant slowdowns that turned a two-hour trip into a three-plus-hour ordeal.

"Fortunately, the Impreza's seats agree with me. This was somewhat surprising since I usually adjust the seat for maximum lumbar support. The Subaru had no such adjustments, but the overall shape was good enough. The seats also managed to breathe quite well, even though the outside temperature was above 100 degrees. My return trip to L.A. and another trip to Laguna Beach were equally comfortable." — Mark Takahashi, senior writer

Miscellaneous
"Had a chance to take out the Impreza on a road trip last weekend. It was a short two-hour drive, but enough to form a few impressions. Likes: Comfortable ride, easy-to-use infotainment, high-resolution backup camera. Dislikes: Road noise on the highway, sluggish acceleration, center cupholders are spaced too closely." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor

Technology-Audio
"Carlos had noticed a few bugs while using Android Auto in the Impreza. I wanted to test it with Apple CarPlay over the weekend and noticed a few issues. On two occasions the audio cut out and the CarPlay app crashed. I'm not sure what caused it, though. The owners' forums seem to show others are experiencing similar issues. While an inconvenience, these systems work nine out of 10 times and I'd rather have one that acts up on me on occasion than nothing at all." — Ron Montoya

"For the most part, I think dual infotainment screens are dumb. That's not the case with the Impreza's, though. I use Apple CarPlay whenever a car comes equipped with it. On my trips into unfamiliar cities, I make use of CarPlay's built-in map and navigation to get me to my destinations. It became a little inconvenient when switching between the audio controls and map, but I realized I can have the dash-top screen display the audio while the main touchscreen shows navigation info.

"I noticed a few seconds' delay when a song would end or skip and when the new one would display, but that didn't bother me one bit." — Mark Takahashi

"In heavy traffic, Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features proved most helpful. The adaptive cruise control functions all the way down to a full stop, which meant I didn't have to worry so much about that aspect of driving. Once stopped it would resume unless I was paused for more than a few seconds. This is typical of most systems. All I had to do was tap the resume button when I saw a message in the instrument panel and heard a beep and it would reset for a few more seconds.

"In the heavy stop-and-go of the dreaded 405 freeway, I found that the best distance setting for the adaptive cruise was in the middle. Set farther out, drivers behind me got impatient and allowed others to swoop in front of me. The shorter settings were too abrupt on the brakes. All in all, I'm glad systems like these are trickling down from the luxury brands." — Mark Takahashi

Monthly Update for November 2017

by Jonathan Elfalan, Senior Writer

Where Did We Drive It?
It's been a relatively slow month for our long-term 2017 Subaru Impreza mainly because it's been a busy month for the automotive industry. In lieu of road trips, a good portion of our month was spent covering local events as well as the annual Los Angeles Auto Show.

Knowing how terrible traffic can be getting in and out of downtown, I specifically chose our long-term Impreza because of its Subaru EyeSight-based adaptive cruise control. Our Impreza's 2.0-liter may not have much top-end muscle, but it's fantastic at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control can be set at a level that won't have every other car cutting into your lane. It's incredibly effective at mitigating the fatigue that comes from spending hours in traffic.

With the holidays approaching, we've definitely got some ground to make up to stay on our mileage target. Hopefully we'll find some snow and finally be able to make use of this all-wheel-drive system.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Due to a busy November and fewer out-of-town excursions, our Subaru Impreza logged its lowest mileage this month. We just barely inched over the 900-mile mark, well below our monthly average of 1,350 miles.

Shorter trips and, no doubt, some time spent in rush-hour traffic pegged our monthly average fuel economy at a disappointing 24.6 mpg, which lowers our lifetime average mpg by a tenth, undoing our bump from the previous month. We continue to ponder how this car managed an EPA combined estimate of 32 mpg.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.3
EPA mpg rating: 32 mpg combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best-fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 11,979 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Maintenance
"Got a low tire pressure light on the drive in this morning. The front right tire had dropped to 26 psi. Our little air compressor has a 12-volt plug, so you can power it off the car without having to pop the hood, which is pretty helpful. Less helpful is how our Impreza covers its tire pressure readout with a 'Door Ajar' warning that you can't dismiss, so you either have to reroute the power cable through the window or use an air-pressure gauge. Not a big deal, but a puzzling decision on Subaru's part." — Carlos Lago, senior writer

Interior
"A friend texted me to ask for help buying a Subaru. He lives in Orange County so we cruised down to Irvine Subaru to check out cars. While looking at the new Crosstrek, I noticed that the front faux-carbon trim was a glossy acrylic while a similar trim for the rear passengers was matte and seemed like a vinyl wrap. That struck me as odd. You should at least have matching trims for front and rear. So I went to check out the trim on our long-term Impreza and, sure enough, they don't match either. What's up with that, Subaru?" — Rex Tokeshi-Torres, vehicle testing technician

Comfort
"When getting into any of our vehicles, I usually set the seat to its lowest setting. It's not that I get nosebleeds when I sit high, it's just a preference. When I did this with our Impreza, it was surprisingly low and uncomfortable getting out, which is something I've never experienced before, having owned multiple Subarus. The last car I remember feeling like I had to roll out of was a Lotus Exige. I guess this could be a neat feature for any Impreza owner who wants to feel like they're climbing out of an exotic sports car." — Rex Tokeshi-Torres

Monthly Update for December 2017

by Travis Langness, Automotive Editor

Where Did We Drive It?
Our long-term 2017 Subaru Impreza is a bit polarizing. Some of us, myself included, think that it's one of the best vehicles in its class. It has an excellent chassis, a likable interior and the added benefit of all-wheel drive, which is rare among compact sedans. The color is even appealing.

For others, the Impreza is a nonstarter. Whether it's the underwhelming powertrain, the seating or the lackluster fuel economy, there are definitely varied feelings about the sedan. This month it did regular commuting around town, which kept fuel economy down, but we also got it out on the open road, inspiring some strong opinions from editors.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Despite a road trip to Arizona and back this month, our Impreza didn't wow us with any high mpg numbers. Over its lifetime, fill-ups have generally ranged between 20 and 30 mpg, depending on driving style and conditions, and we still haven't beaten the EPA's highway estimate of 38 mpg. Our lifetime average is pretty abysmal, too, falling below even the EPA's city estimate of 28 mpg or the combined estimate of 32 mpg. After 13,000 miles, that's a big letdown.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.5
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 13,308 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Interior
"This Impreza feels so much more grown-up than our previous long-termer. All the exterior styling and interior treatments feel more mature. Unfortunately, the powertrain is still as uninspiring as ever, but everything else, especially the interior, feels way more upscale. It helps put the Impreza on almost equal footing with the current Civic and Mazda 3." — Travis Langness, automotive editor

"The Impreza handled the drive decently, but I was surprised by the amount of interior noise. You really have to crank up the stereo to overcome the noise, which is a problem when your fiancée has sensitive hearing." — Carlos Lago, senior writer

"With designers placing window sills higher and higher, it was nice to get into the Impreza and revel in its outward visibility. Sight lines to the front quarters are particularly good thanks to door-mounted mirrors that provide additional glass area in this usually blocked-off area. It seems that the Impreza's overall greenhouse (the top part of the sedan that's covered by glass) is larger than other cars of its size." — Calvin Kim, road test editor

Comfort
"I don't often complain about seat comfort, so I did OK on our road trip, but my fiancée found the passenger seat quite uncomfortable after only an hour or two." — Carlos Lago

Technology-Audio
"I leaned heavily on the adaptive cruise, which worked pretty well. It can sometimes take a little too long to apply the brakes when traffic starts to slow down, so I caught myself hovering over the brake pedal when traffic got heavy." — Carlos Lago

"After a few hours of driving, the Impreza flashes a funny little warning that advises you to check for rest stops through the navigation system. It does the same thing for gas stations when you run low on fuel. I like these well-intentioned little reminders." — Carlos Lago

"So the infotainment system uses two screens, and as others have noted, it's one of the better executions. This is in part because the two screens are completely different in format and can show vastly different things. The top screen, for example, can show an accurate line-art image of the car, complete with matching headlights and taillights that turn on and off with its full-size physical counterpart. It's all very cute, except for the fact the turn-signal blinker speed doesn't match." — Calvin Kim

Monthly Update for January 2018

by Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor

Where Did We Drive It?
Mileage-wise, we're a little bit behind where we'd like to be with our 2017 Subaru Impreza. But in January we managed to find over 1,400 miles to drive in our trusty Bluebaru. At this point in a vehicle's term with us, we start to get a better understanding of what it has to offer — and what it doesn't. We, and you, can also get a decent idea for the kind of real-world mileage a vehicle can achieve.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
We drove 1,407 miles in January, but those miles didn't do our overall average any good, especially when you stack it up against its EPA estimate. Not one tank hit the city rating of 28 mpg, let alone the combined rating of 32 mpg. What's to blame for that? I'll put my money (I can expense it) on the anemic engine that you need to cane to get anywhere near freeway speeds. More throttle, more gas, worse mileage. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.2
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 32.6
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 14,742 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"Odd throttle/transmission calibration in this Subie. From a dead stop, it leaps off the line like a spooked stallion. Possibly the most responsive CVT-equipped car at rest that I've experienced — just squeeze the gas and it goes, now. Our long-term Honda CR-V feels heavily sedated by comparison. But then … nothing. The 2.0-liter boxer engine is weak by today's small-car standards, delivering a pokey 9.4-second sprint to 60 mph at our test track. The CR-V will do it in 7.5 seconds. So while the Impreza goes from 0 to 15 mph in what seems like an instant, you've got bupkis after that.

"The upshot is that zipping from stoplight to stoplight in this car can be fun, but merging into fast-moving freeway traffic may be harrowing. That's nothing a turbocharger can't fix, of course, and with Honda and Volkswagen raising the bar with their excellent turbocharged engines in this segment, hopefully Subaru has one in the pipeline for the otherwise competitive Impreza." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

Technology-Audio
"I'm the first to admit it: I'm like the opposite of an early adopter when it comes to in-car tech. And if we're being honest here, I sometimes try to avoid it. When presented with new features, the dinosaur in me says, 'I've lived this long without it; I don't see how I need it now.' I'd like to tell you about the progress I've made courtesy of our Impreza and its EyeSight system.

"This thing does tech right, in my opinion. And that means it doesn't beat you over the head with it. Instead, helpful little notifications like 'Vehicle Ahead Has Moved' or quick lane departure warnings are welcome and unobtrusive, and they don't get in the way of, you know, driving. I love the adaptive cruise control because it's simple to use, even in stop-and-go I-405 traffic. The 'Obstacle Detected' warning and pre-collision braking weren't overly aggressive like systems on other vehicles we've had in our fleet. (I'm looking at you, dearly departed Volvo S60.)

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that the Impreza is helping me adjust to the times. And I suppose that's a good thing. Now if only the Impreza could help me find a way to keep these kids off my lawn." — Matt Jones, senior consumer advice editor

Interior
"I generally think dual-screen setups are a waste of real estate, but our office actually seems to use the Impreza's second information screen. It's always set to display something different every time I get in, which means people are using it even if I can't figure out who needed to monitor vehicle pitch. My only real gripe with the info screen is that it defaults to that missile-targeting view every time you turn on adaptive cruise control, even though the gauge cluster display shows more — and more informative — ACC info that can't be switched off." — Will Kaufman, associate staff writer

Monthly Update for February 2018

by Cameron Rogers, Staff Writer

Where Did We Drive It?
Even though it's the shortest month of the year, February was the first time in a long time that our 2017 Subaru Impreza hit the 1,600-mile monthly target we set for each vehicle in the long-term fleet. In the interest of full transparency, it was actually 1,596 miles, but it's close enough that we'll consider it a success. The Impreza was mostly used for commuting duties until the end of the month, when editor Mark Takahashi took it on a road trip and broke a long-standing fuel economy record.

Unfortunately, the Impreza is nearing the end of its tenure in our long-term fleet, and it's nowhere close to the 20,000-mile goal we set for each of our long-term cars. That's a shame because we've mostly used the Impreza for commuting, and its overall fuel economy is well below its 32 mpg combined score. In fact, it's a few mpg off the city score, too. We're going to do our best to knock out the remaining 3,700 miles in March, so stay tuned for a multitude of road-trip impressions next month.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
The Impreza hit our 1,600-mile monthly goal for only the third time since it entered the fleet. At 25.6 mpg, monthly fuel economy was unimpressive, though it was slightly better than the overall average. February's average was especially disappointing given that Mark set a new best-fill record with 33.5 mpg. (The previous record stood at 32.6 mpg for nine months.) We'll shoot for even better results in March.

Average lifetime mpg: 25.3
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best-fill mpg: 33.5
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 16,313 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
"I took the Impreza in for its 15,000-mile service. After an oil change, tire rotation and general inspection, we left $171 poorer. That included $42 for 7 quarts of oil, $7 for an oil filter, about another $1.50 for a gasket, and $23 for a cabin air filter.

"Irvine Subaru completed the job in 90 minutes and charged us $91 for the labor. This all seems a bit rich for a Subaru and, admittedly, maybe we didn't need the cabin air filter (or maybe we did, given the general air quality we drive through every day). Had we declined that service, we could've shaved a few bucks off the bill. Regardless, the visit was pleasant and efficient (we'd called ahead for an appointment), so no complaints from the customer service angle." — Dan Frio, staff writer

Logbook Highlights

Comfort
"I've figured out why the Impreza is so uncomfortable for me. As Brent noted months ago, I'm not a fan of the headrest, cramped footwell or seat (the front of the seat bottom doesn't raise enough for my liking). I noticed another fitment issue while I drove it last weekend.

"The pedals are situated far too close to the driver, and it's a major problem for someone with long legs like me. With the Impreza's seat set as comfortably as it can be, only a few inches of my thigh actually touch the seat, with my knees high up in the air and my ankle at a nearly 90-degree angle when it's resting on the accelerator, without actually stepping on it. It's not long before my ankle starts hurting, making a long road trip in the Impreza an impossibility.

"Even at 6-foot-4, I can fit in most cars. I actually prefer smaller vehicles and loved previous long-termers like the 2016 Mazda Miata and the 2014 Mini Cooper. I can find a good driving position in almost any compact car, with the exception of the Impreza. Even though I don't like the powertrain, it's the terrible driving position that would put the nail in the coffin if I was a potential buyer." — Cameron Rogers, staff writer

Interior
"As others have noted, the Impreza is not a quiet car, at least at highway speeds. There's wind and road noise, and it feels and sounds a bit hollow. More sound deadening in the firewall, doors and pillars — better window seals — might help. But then you're talking more mass, more weight, and with just 152 hp and 145 lb-ft torque, that's something the Impreza can ill-afford. I think Subaru found the right balance between handling performance and refinement. After a few days with the car, I could tune out the noise." — Dan Frio

"Slightly wasted opportunity with this mobile phone tray area forward of the gear lever. Should be two USB ports in there alongside the 12-volt power point. It's good that there are two ports in the center console under the armrest to keep phones out of sight (out of mind, if you prefer). Those ports would still be useful for rear-seat passengers even if you'd need longer cables." — Dan Frio

"There are several small things about the Impreza that, while not exactly annoyances, are reminders of where Subaru shaved a few dimes and pennies. Only one of the rear seatbacks has a pocket, for example. With two kids in the back seat, each perhaps armed with a tablet, portable game, book or magazine, are you going to put all that stuff in one seatback pocket? Buyers' expectations are rising. When you drop more than $20,000 on a car, you shouldn't feel like you bought a ticket on a budget airline." — Dan Frio

Technology-Audio
"I really like the Impreza's rear cross-path detection system. These systems are designed to warn the driver of moving objects behind the car while reversing, like when you're backing out of a supermarket parking spot and another vehicle is about to drive through your path. Oftentimes the alerts are loud and overbearing, but the Impreza gives you a restrained combination of blinking lights on the rearview mirrors and a soft but insistent beeping noise. It's impossible to miss the warning, yet I don't find it annoying in the least. As a bonus, it also seems to work really well. Yesterday a parking attendant's golf cart was approaching while I was backing out in the company garage, and the system alerted me before I saw the cart myself. Pretty cool." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

"Three information displays in a car is a bit much. I'm talking about the small display in the gauge cluster, the main touchscreen display in the center console, and the narrow, tertiary upper display. There's a lot of info spread between these three sources, although it's arguable how much of it justifies a third display. In that upper display, you can cycle through a clock, a screen that shows you which safety systems are active, and one that shows you all-wheel-drive power distribution in real time, among a few others.

"There's one that shows coolant and oil temp, which strikes me as the only useful data offered in that display. You cycle through these screens via a cluster of thumb switches appended to the steering wheel. It's not pretty. Two analog gauges alongside the tach and speedometer solve this. Others have tried this three-screen approach before as well. Honda comes to mind with its earlier i-MID contraption. It was lame and thankfully it's gone. Hopefully, Subaru scraps this gimmick soon, too." — Dan Frio

Miscellaneous
"I don't know why I like the Impreza as much as I do. I mean, I don't dream about it or anything. I wouldn't trade it for a Challenger. But I like it. It's not fussy. Maybe that's a backhanded compliment, but I like a light, agile car that I can jump in, back out of the driveway, and zip down the road to the grocery store. Not have to worry about parking. I love me a Challenger, but I don't need its lumbering lope when I'm just going out to fetch some eggs.

"And yet. 'If it only had a manual,' I thought, 'this is a car I might buy.' And lo, you can get an Impreza Sport sedan with a five-speed manual hooked to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It also comes with 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, nifty interior trim bits, and all-wheel drive. That will cost you $22,955.

"Add the sole option package that comes with a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and you're looking at $25,105. Not a bad deal. Throw on some decent performance-ish tires and you've got a sweet sled that will handle the curves with gusto on dry days and curves with care on rainy days.

"Then I read about the 2018 Accord. For $26,670, you can get the Accord Sport with its 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder and six-speed manual. It packs more punch than the Impreza — 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque compared to the Impreza's 152 hp and 145 lb-ft. It also comes with 19-inch wheels, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and the Honda Sensing driver aids. We've found that tech somewhat glitchy in our recent Hondas: abrupt, unintended emergency braking, so-so lane keeping assist, batty adaptive cruise control.

"But hard to argue with the near-universal praise for the new, redesigned Accord's driving demeanor and upgraded cabin quality. For $1,500 more, it's probably worth the stretch. Then again, with all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox for around $25,000, the Impreza Sport offers knockout value." — Dan Frio

Monthly Update for March 2018

by Calvin Kim, Road Test Editor

Let the miles pile on! While we thought we did well by just accruing 1,600 miles on our 2017 Subaru Impreza in March, we blew past that mark and added a total of 3,792 miles thanks to long road trips to San Francisco, Phoenix and Death Valley. Through it all, our Impreza exhibited no faults or issues, and aside from putting 3 more psi of air in the driver's side front tire, no maintenance was needed.

With the 20,000-mile mark passed and the Impreza timing out, this is probably the last update for our plucky all-wheel-drive sedan. At this point, most of our drivers have begrudgingly accepted that it's a good car but not a great one. There are a lot of technical merits to it, but strict adherence to numeric advantages does not necessarily deliver a pleasurable car. Nevertheless, we wonder what kind of emotional roots we could have planted had our test car been a five-door with a manual gearbox.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
Thanks to a plethora of highway miles, our Impreza achieved a monthly average of 30.4 mpg. And as Cameron predicted in the February update, we achieved a new best fill-up of 33.9 mpg. Those two factors increased the Impreza's lifetime mpg from 25.3 to 26.1 mpg. Once the Impreza gets going on a highway, the mileage creeps up slowly, but we've yet to achieve anything near EPA estimates.

Average lifetime mpg: 26.1
EPA mpg rating: 32 combined (28 city/38 highway)
Best fill mpg: 33.9
Best range: 364.1 miles
Current odometer: 20,105 miles

Maintenance and Upkeep
None.

Logbook Highlights

Performance
"I drove the Impreza all over California in mid-March, heading first to Mill Valley, north of San Francisco, to see my vacationing parents, then back down to L.A. and out to Indian Wells, near Palm Springs, for the annual professional tennis tournament. Imprezions? Well, it's not quiet on the highway, it doesn't have much power, and full-throttle acceleration elicits an annoyingly intrusive whine from the CVT automatic. I wish I had more positive things to say because I've historically had fond feelings for Subarus — but those feelings were largely based on the brand's lovable quirkiness, and I just don't get much of that from this particular model. It seems more generic and less fun than Subarus past. Oh, and I averaged 31.9 mpg for the trip, which isn't great considering I spent the vast majority of my time on one freeway or another." — Josh Sadlier, senior manager, content strategy

"While I can accept the slow acceleration in the name of economy, my biggest gripe comes from powertrain noise. I know I'm echoing many other drivers before me, but the whine from the CVT automatic and engine revs lies in stark contrast to the high level of technology that's present in our test car." — Calvin Kim, road test editor

"After driving the Impreza over many miles on two-lane highways, I've developed a sort of twitch to the monotonous roar of the engine as it kicks down to let you pass slower-moving traffic. There's nothing wrong with the Impreza's actual dynamic performance, but it does it in a way that audibly tricks you into thinking you're at a hair-dryer convention." — Calvin Kim

Technology-Audio
"While I've come to depend on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both systems that the Impreza handles easily, the built-in TomTom-based navigation system deserves some kudos. While neither of my phones had any sort of service for voice searches, the stock system recognized my voice request and found gas stations and restaurants in the park. Sure, we couldn't search for our remote campsite, but it showed the road right to it. Nice." — Calvin Kim

Comfort
"I'm 6 feet tall with a 32-inch inseam and fairly average build. I mention this because I didn't find the seat or seating position to be outright uncomfortable, but I'm right on the line. If the steering wheel could telescope out 2 more inches, I could scoot the seat back 1 more inch, giving my legs just that little bit more room." — Calvin Kim

Cargo Space
"Totally dig the hidden trunk hinges. They allow you to pack the trunk at will, without having to worry about crushing or pinching things. I didn't have to fold down the seats on any of my trips to carry cargo, but I used it to access gear right next to the seatbacks without unpacking the trunk." — Calvin Kim

Wrap-Up

What We Got

Small SUVs may be all the rage, but there has never been a better time than now for compact cars. Whether a big seller like the Honda Civic, an underrated competitor like the Mazda 3, or even Subaru's performance-oriented WRX, compacts really are better than ever.

But Subaru's standard compact car, the Impreza, has never been what we'd call a class leader. It may be the cheapest way to get an all-wheel-drive sedan or wagon, but beyond that it never lit the world on fire. With this latest generation, Subaru made a concerted effort to broaden the appeal of its smallest car, packing it with technology, improving interior quality, and generally redesigning it to better compete with class leaders.

We wanted to see how well Subaru pulled off its ambitions. With the range-topping Limited trim level, we were able to test every feature. Additional equipment such as a sunroof, an upgraded stereo, Subaru's EyeSight driver aid system, and navigation came with what's called the "Option Package 35." Our car came with the only engine available: a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A six-speed manual transmission is available, but we opted for the continuously variable automatic transmission, joined to Subaru's standard all-wheel-drive system.

Did Subaru succeed with the Impreza redesign? Here are some highlights from the year with our Bluebaru.

Performance

"Dear long-term Impreza: Are you suffering from low T? Your 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT just don't get me excited. I know, I know — it's all about fuel economy these days. But you're undeniably slow, and I often find I'm revving your engine more than I should just to keep up with traffic. Your CVT doesn't have a Sport mode, either. Compared to the turbocharged Honda Civic, you just can't win my love. I'm sorry. Oh no, don't cry! It's not you, it's me. Wait ... no, it's you." — Brent Romans, senior editor

"Driving around California, you essentially have to floor it almost everywhere to keep up with traffic. The low-end torque feels pretty good at the start, but then you realize there isn't much power beyond it. It's such a shame that there isn't an engine between this and the Impreza WRX, because it actually handles decently. If this thing had Honda's turbocharged four-cylinder, it would probably be one of my favorite compacts." — Jonathan Elfalan, road test manager

"Count me as a fan of this latest-generation Subaru CVT automatic. It never seems to call attention to itself with any of the slurred CVT weirdness of the past, and the drive up and over the Cajon Pass on Interstate 15 was smooth and loaded with zero-shift goodness. It helps that the engine noise is fairly well subdued, too. This package feels better than a traditional automatic." — Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing

Comfort

"I've figured out why the Impreza is so uncomfortable for me. As Brent noted months ago, I'm not a fan of the headrest, cramped footwell or seat (the front of the seat bottom doesn't raise enough for my liking). I noticed another fitment issue while I drove it last weekend.

"As for the driver's seat, I've been comfortable enough for four or five hours of driving. But I could see where others won't be. My co-worker Cameron, for instance, told me how he dislikes the forward-canted head restraint, cramped footwell next to the gas pedal, and lack of a tilt function for the power seat base. It's a deal breaker for him. I can see his point." — Brent Romans

"It was my first time in the Impreza, and I instantly felt comfortable in the driver's seat. With just a couple of adjustments and support from the firm bolsters, it felt like I had been driving the car forever." — Kathleen Clonts, copy chief

"I pointed the Impreza south towards a media event in Rancho Santa Fe, which is just short of San Diego. With a full tank, it was going to be a nonstop 116-mile blast, or so I thought. Even though I left well before typical peak traffic time, I ran into some significant slowdowns that turned a two-hour trip into a three-hour-plus ordeal.

"Fortunately, the Impreza's seats agree with me. This was somewhat surprising since I usually adjust the seat for maximum lumbar support. The Subaru had no such adjustments, but the overall shape was good enough. The seats also managed to breathe quite well, even though the outside temperature was more than 100 degrees. My return trip to L.A. and another trip to Laguna Beach were equally comfortable." — Mark Takahashi, senior writer

Interior

"With designers placing window sills higher and higher, it was nice to get into the Impreza and revel in its outward visibility. Sight lines to the front quarters are particularly good thanks to door-mounted mirrors that provide additional glass area in this usually blocked-off area. It seems that the Impreza's overall greenhouse (the top part of the sedan that's covered by glass) is larger than it is in other cars of its size." — Calvin Kim, road test editor

Audio and Technology

"I'm the first to admit it: I'm like the opposite of an early adopter when it comes to in-car tech. And if we're being honest here, I sometimes try to avoid it. When presented with new features, the dinosaur in me says, 'I've lived this long without it; I don't see how I need it now.' I'd like to tell you about the progress I've made courtesy of our Impreza and its EyeSight system.

"I stopped the car multiple times, turned off the ignition, got out, locked it, unlocked it and got back in (all in hopes of resetting the system) but nothing worked. The volume stayed the same, the radio station stayed the same, but I had no control over either. After having the Impreza parked for a few hours, I came back out to try again. Success! Everything was back in normal working order like the freeze had never occurred. It was definitely a strange occurrence though and one we'll be looking out for in the future." — Travis Langness, staff writer

"Android Auto is still a relatively new feature for both cars and phones, so there are bound to be bugs, but our Impreza has given me more consistent issues than any other car I've driven. Sometimes, Android Auto just fails to connect, and there's no way to force it to work. Manually launching the app, unplugging and replugging the phone, restarting the phone, restarting the car, unplugging the phone, restarting both it and the car, and then plugging the phone back in — the only cure seems to be patience. After a while, it starts working again. It's a frustrating issue, especially during my morning commute when I rely on Google Maps to tell me if there are major traffic issues I need to avoid." — Will Kaufman

"Carlos had noticed a few bugs while using Android Auto in the Impreza. I wanted to test it with Apple CarPlay over the weekend and noticed a few issues. On two occasions the audio cut out and the CarPlay app crashed. I'm not sure what caused it though. The owner forums seem to show others are experiencing similar issues. While an inconvenience, these systems work nine out of 10 times and I'd rather have one that acts up on me on occasion than nothing at all." — Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor

Maintenance

"We received notification recently that our long-term Subaru Impreza was part of a new service campaign recall, WTP-75, specifying that the ECU [engine control unit] be reprogrammed. Apparently, winter-blend gasoline under certain conditions could vaporize, causing engine hesitation or stalling at low speeds. I hadn't noticed any of this with our test car, but brought it in for service anyway. My local dealer (Lithia Subaru of Fresno) took care of the reprogramming in about an hour. Our Impreza is back in action." — Brent Romans

"I took the Impreza in for its 15,000-mile service. After an oil change, tire rotation and general inspection, we left $171 poorer. That included $42 for seven quarts of oil, $7 for an oil filter, about another $1.50 for a gasket, and $23 for a cabin air filter.

Miscellaneous

"The new Impreza has an unabashedly small-car character from the driver's seat. Unlike the latest Civic, which I've recommended to multiple would-be Accord owners because it feels big enough to be a substitute, the Impreza reminds me not a whit of the midsize Legacy. But that could be a good thing if you're tired of every generation feeling larger than the last. This Impreza stands small and proud in a segment that some might argue is getting too big for its britches." — Josh Sadlier

"Our Impreza is solid car that seems to do everything well. It looks clean, rides comfortably and has nice layout to the interior. However, aside from having all-wheel drive, it doesn't do much to make it stand out from the competition. The Mazda 3 handles better, the Honda Civic will have better fuel economy, and the Kia Forte is probably a better bargain in terms of selling price. I already voted with my wallet and bought a Mazda 3." — Ron Montoya

"I don't know why I like the Impreza as much as I do. I mean, I don't dream about it or anything. I wouldn't trade it for a Challenger. But I like it. It's not fussy. Maybe that's a backhanded compliment, but I like a light, agile car that I can jump in, back out of the driveway, and zip down the road to the grocery store. Not have to worry about parking. I love me a Challenger, but I don't need its lumbering lope when I'm just going out to fetch some eggs.

"This horn is from 1982. It's from a 1982 Subaru GL. There's no other way to explain it." — Kurt Niebuhr, photo editor

Maintenance & Repairs

Regular Maintenance:
The Subaru-that-could only saw a maintenance bay twice in its tenure with Edmunds, once for a recall issue and once for its 15,000-mile service. That lube job, cabin air filter replacement, tire rotation and inspection set us back $171.

Service Campaigns:
Our Subaru had one recall in the last year: An issue that could cause stalling in cold weather was addressed with an ECU tweak to turn on the radiator fan at slightly lower temperatures.

Fuel Economy and Resale Value

Observed Fuel Economy:
Our Impreza's EPA estimated fuel economy is 32 mpg combined (28 city/38 highway), but over its 19,666.6 miles in our fleet, it only averaged 26.1 mpg. Its best fill hit 33.9 mpg, but its worst was a measly 15.7 mpg. Our best range between fill-ups was 364.1 miles.

Resale and Depreciation:
Using the Edmunds TMV Calculator, we estimate a $22,367 private-party sale price for our 2017 Impreza, which reflects depreciation of about 22 percent from the $28,760 sticker price. For context, our long-term 2016 Honda Civic Touring depreciated about 24 percent over its year with us.

Summing Up

Pros:
Great visibility. User-friendly technology. Excellent active safety features and driver aids. Big improvements in interior quality and noise insulation from previous generations.

Cons:
The engine is both thirsty and underpowered. The interior still feels cheaper than some competitors. The infotainment system proved buggy. The seats and driving position lack enough adjustability to suit every driver.

Bottom Line:
For all its features, the Impreza is an easy little car to just hop in and go. Many around the office found it quite likable, but even its fans had to admit that its downsides, especially the sluggish engine and poor fuel economy, were hard to ignore.

Total Body Repair Costs:	$0
Total Routine Maintenance Costs:	$171 (over 12 months)
Additional Maintenance Costs:	None
Warranty Repairs:	None
Non-Warranty Repairs:	None
Scheduled Dealer Visits:	2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits:	None
Days Out of Service:	None
Breakdowns Stranding Driver:	None

Best Fuel Economy:	33.9 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy:	15.7 mpg
Average Fuel Economy:	26.1 mpg
Best Range:	364.1 miles

True Market Value at Service End:	$22,367
Depreciation:	$6,393 (22 percent of original MSRP)
Final Odometer Reading:	19,666 miles

Disclaimer:

The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.

2017 Subaru Impreza: What's It Like to Live With?

We added a 2017 Subaru Impreza to our long-term fleet to see if it's now on par with the class-leading Honda Civic.

What do you want to know about?

Introduction

Monthly Update for April 2017

Monthly Update for May 2017

Monthly Update for June 2017

Monthly Update for July 2017

Monthly Update for August 2017

Monthly Update for September 2017

Monthly Update for October 2017

Monthly Update for November 2017

Monthly Update for December 2017

Monthly Update for January 2018

Monthly Update for February 2018

Monthly Update for March 2018

Wrap-Up

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