21/04/08

• Price14,990
• We like...The way it drives
• We don't...Poor economy, high CO2 emissions

Other, jmore powerful Imprezas may draw more fuss. But this simpler, non-turbo car is alluring to driveSay ‘Impreza’, and you’ll think of the lairy one, all bonnet-scooped and be-spoilered, as driven by shaven-headed blokes. There have been other, more workaday Imprezas, but you rarely saw ‘em. Now, with this latest one, Subaru wants to restore some balance.
To make its point, the company launched this mid-range 2.0 R ahead of the hotshot WRX and WRX STi.

Where most new cars now resemble the one that came before so as not to scare loyal buyers, Subaru has swept clean. There’s nothing of the old apparent in the new – long-held Subaru ‘must-haves’ such as frameless windows are missing.
But where the old Impreza had an ugly-bug appeal, this one has...well, erm, nothing. It reminds us of a 1990s Mazda and it’s a ringer for the Proton Gen2. We don’t see its looks luring too many owners from their VW Golfs or Honda Civics.

Inside, the cabin is neat and the dash curves into the door cappings as it did in Imprezas of old. But the quality of the plastics and seat coverings is poor for a £15k car: those in a Golf are heaps better.
Thankfully, there is much of the old Impreza in the way that it runs and drives. The engine is revised, but still a ‘boxer’, flat-four. Because its cylinders are arranged differently from most, it emits a distinctive gurgle as it revs. It’s a sound you’ll grow to love. It links to an exceptionally slick gearbox that gives you the pick of no fewer than 10 forward gears – five standard, five low-range. This, in turn, mates to permanent four-wheel drive. The steering is direct but light and strong on feel, while the suspension keeps the car planted but still has enough ‘give’ to keep you settled.

It’s characterful, and for such an ordinary-looking car, it’s wonderfully focused and sporty. And this Impreza is easy to live with, day-on-day. Its hatchback body offers space for five in comfort and reasonable luggage space, although the boot is fairly shallow. The rear seat backs fold easily into the floor to extend load room. It’s reasonably equipped for the money: alloy wheels, xenon lamps, six airbags and climate controlled air-con.

But its vital statistics are all wrong. First, the best you should expect is 33.6mpg overall, which is poor for a non-turbo 2.0 petrol engine producing a modest 148bhp. And CO2 emissions are 199g/km, high enough for most company car buyers to wince at the tax such a figure attracts and scratch the car from their shopping list. Insurance costs are, at least, reasonable: the 2.0 is rated group 7E.
For some, the noise it makes and the way it drives will have them firmly sold on one. But for others its fuel thirst, high CO2 emissions and dull appearance will have them thinking twice before buying.

• Engines2.0 Flat-four
• Power148bhp
• 0-60 mph9.2sec
• Economy33.6mpg
• CO2g/km199
• Insurance groups7E
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats5

Motors.co.uk value verdict: