13 Essential Improvements on New Subaru Impreza You Will Want, #12 is a Must-Have

The 2017 Subaru Impreza gets a 95 percent makeover. There’s 13 new features never seen on the compact before all compact buyers will want, and one is a must-have. Subaru says they spent $1 billion on the remodel and it shows. What can you expect to see when it arrives later this year?

The new Subaru Global Platform

It starts with the new Subaru Global Platform (#1) that underpins the Impreza. The new architecture incorporates a redesigned structure that Subaru says will significantly enhance straight-line stability, agility, and ride comfort. How did engineers do it? With optimized cross sections and highly stiffened joints between sections that have increased rigidity of the unitized body structure by over 70 percent. Subaru says this will produce a quieter cabin, reduce vibration, and there will be less harshness in the Impreza’s ride quality. These should be big improvements over the outgoing model.

A revised powertrain

Impreza should be more fun-to-drive. Subaru revised the 2.0-liter boxer engine (#2) and it gains direct fuel injection and gets new enhancements to boost performance (now 152-hp vs. 148 before). The Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) gets upgraded in upper trims and features a 7-speed manual mode function with steering wheel paddle shifters (#3) for the first time. The driver can now control the transmission via seven pre-set ratios. Impreza also gets a one mpg improvement over the old model.

New improved headlights

You should be able to see better at night. Impreza gets new available Steering Responsive Headlights (#4) for the first time. The new headlamps will be able to illuminate curves as the vehicle steers into them. The 2017 compact also gets High Beam Assist (#5), which automatically activates and deactivates the high beam headlamps based on driving conditions.

Additional driver-assist technologies

Everyone wants to be safe on the road. Impreza gets upgraded with driver-assist technologies it’s never had before. It now features Reverse Automatic Braking (#6) and the display of steering lines for the standard rear vision camera (#7). Reverse Automatic Braking can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing. Also a new 4-way Tire Pressure Monitoring System (#8) has been added that detects pressure drops at individual wheels. More on Page 2.

More comfort, improved technology and better tunes will be coming on the new compact. Other new features never seen on the 2017 Subaru Impreza are a 6-way power driver’s seat (#9) on the Limited trim. The new compact also gets LED headlights (#10) and distinctive “Konoji” LED daytime running lights (#11). Let's be honest, if you get into a piece of junk car, everything seems better if it has a good sound system. It's more than a want, it's a need. A new Harman/Kardon premium audio (#12) is another new available feature in the Impreza for the first time. Lastly, the available navigation system now features maps provided by TomTom #13).

Source: Subaru

Photo: Subaru