Subaru is one of the most stubborn of carmakers. Whereas others would try dabbling in a particular technology only to abandon it altogether when all seems lost, Subaru would more or less tread the same path for years, if not decades. This explains the trademark ingredients that now make a Subaru, a Subaru: the horizontally-opposed Boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. These key technologies have been carefully tweaked, honed, and polished to where they are today. Once in a while though, Subaru takes a leap of faith and makes something more revolutionary than evolutionary. The 2017 Impreza is one such example and one that comes with its own set of problems.

Judging from exterior appearances alone, you don’t know where all that revolutionary talk went. When it comes to design, Subaru comes in only two flavors: plain and nondescript or wild and comical. And just like previous non-WRX Imprezas, the 2017 Impreza 2.0i-S falls under the former. It’s less of an oddball now compared to previous Imprezas, but it’s not going to knock your socks off. Designers have stretched the width, lowered the height and even proportioned it better, but remove the trademark Subaru cues like the hawk-eye headlights, hexagonal shield grille, and boomerang-shaped taillights and it can pass for whatever compact sedan you can think off.




Now, all that worry about the Impreza being boring and bland disappears the moment you step inside. In typical Subaru fashion, ingress and egress is unrivaled. Getting in and out is easy-peasy thanks to the square-cut door frames and wide opening doors. The formal roofline, coupled with the large expanse of glass, also contributes to the best all-around visibility among compact cars. Even more surprising is that this visibility comes with a low, sports-car like seating position. It feels sportier than even the WRX STI. No kidding. It goes without saying though that the seats themselves don’t offer the same corner hugging support of racing bucket seats, but they’re nonetheless supportive and comfy even after hours on end. The rear occupants are treated just as well too, though the thick center tunnel does rob some usable knee room at the back. Nonetheless, fitting five adults won’t pose a problem.

The 2017 Impreza’s revolutionary approach continues to the cabin execution itself. Known commonly as Subaru’s Achilles’ heel, this new cockpit is properly done. For once, it doesn’t feel like it was designed at the last minute or put together at the cheapest possible cost. Poke around and everything simply feels top-notch. The plastics are nicely textured and soft to the touch; the switchgear all operate with a nice, crisp feel; and even the spattering of piano black trim, aluminum, and carbon fiber all do their bit to present an upmarket look and feel. Even the faux stitching on the dashboard—a look too common nowadays—is executed excellently. Combine that with ergonomics done right and the Impreza’s got one of the best driving environments in this price range.



While the interior is the most visible upgrade to the Impreza experience, the best bit is, pardon the pun, the impressive road manners. Subaru is proudest with this all-new platform that rolled out starting with the all-new Impreza. Suffice to say, it has delivered in every front: handling, comfort, agility, ride—they are not only better than the outgoing model; they are at the top of the game.



Imprezas have always shined with its balanced on-road experience and the 2017 continues that streak. It has a pliant ride, effortlessly gliding through anything Manila can dish out be it undulating ruts, concrete ribs, or the occasional pothole. It goes through any obstacle with nary a rattle or squeak in a cabin, a testament to its solid build quality and a welcome break from the age-old saying of, “If it rattles, it must be a Subaru.” Apart from mitigating unwanted shocks successfully, the Impreza’s also mighty hushed too with minimal wind, tire, and road noise permeating the cabin even at high speed. The stiffer sub-frame and independent suspension on all four corners also means it’s one of the best handling in its class. It’s still no sports car (or hot hatch for that matter), but it’s nonetheless light on its tires. It’s worth noting though that the electric power steering feels hefty in a WRX sort of way. And though more deliberate movements to the tiller are required to impart a sense of urgency, once you get into the groove, it’s extremely nimble with quick turn-ins and flat cornering.

The 2017 Impreza though could really use more power. The driving experience is dulled by its powertrain. While some of its chief rivals have shifted to a smaller displacement turbo, the Impreza continues with a normally-aspirated 2.0-liter motor. Now featuring direct injection technology, the FB20 does crank out a bit more power and torque, but nowhere near the levels that could be considered remotely exciting. Ninety-five percent of the time, it feels perfectly suited to the task with good low-end pull and smooth, quiet operation. The CVT also reacts quickly enough as you scoot from intersection to intersection. Dip the throttle a bit more and the transmission even emulates a traditional automatic with distinct steps. The next four percent, times when you’re trying to summon the Boxer’s “true power”, you’re greeted with nothing but a continuous whine. You’ll eventually eke out some pace, but it’ll take a while. The last one percent is a case of a Check Engine Light, a stalled car, and a quick reaction to pull the car over to the side to restart it. Thankfully it worked and the problem didn’t appear again.