Subaru claims to have paid particular attention to improving the perceived quality of the interior, an area where previous Imprezas have felt woefully short of the competition.
The cabin trim is finished in contrasting colours, the dashboard incorporates a pleasing, swoopy design and the ergonomics of the control layout have been considered. The rotary heater controls for the climate system are instinctive and easy to use, while the steering wheel now features integrated controls for the audio/sat-nav system (standard on the RX). This offers lots of functionality, although the touch-screen is fiddly.
However, you don’t need to look far to find some cheap-feeling materials. The door and dashboard facings are hard and unyielding to the touch, and plastics around the low-range selector and steering column feel very low-rent. It’s vastly better than the previous generation Impreza, but a way off the class benchmark.
The driving position offers a decent range of adjustment, including a steering wheel that can be tweaked for both reach and rake, but the seat base could provide greater under-thigh support.
The boot is long but shallow. The need to package the four-wheel drive system also means there’s only room for a space-saver beneath the boot floor.
Subaru’s excellent dealer network has long been one of the best reasons to buy one of the company’s products, a tradition that should be maintained with the new Impreza. But at £17,495 the 2.0 RX Impreza feels expensive, despite standard sat-nav. Running costs are also going to be high, especially as most buyers in this segment are looking for the diesel powerplant that Subaru won’t be able to offer for at least another year. Our 25.2mpg average economy figure will effectively preclude most high-mileage users from even considering the Scooby. On the plus side, tight supply should assure reasonably sturdy residual values, especially on the cheaper versions at the bottom of the range.
