2013 Subaru Impreza |
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Overview
The Subaru Impreza ranks highly among similar cars, particularly in terms of comfort and value for money. It is second out of 26 on the Most Comfortable Compact Cars list, indicating a superior level of comfort compared to most compact cars. It also ranks second out of 12 on the Best Small Cars for the Money list, suggesting it offers excellent value. Furthermore, it ranks third out of 43 on the Most Comfortable Small Cars list, further emphasizing its comfort level among small cars. Overall, the Subaru Impreza is a top contender in its category, offering both comfort and value.
Overview
Much better-rounded after a 2012 redesign, the compact 2013 Subaru Impreza, available in sedan and hatchback models, features a roomy interior, compliant ride, class-competitive fuel economy and standard all-wheel drive.
What Experts Think
Value for the price paid, roomy interior, nice balance of ride and handling, standard all-wheel drive and the availability of the high-performance WRX and WRX STI generally sum up what the automotive press has to say about the 2013 Subaru Impreza compact sedan and hatchback.
Consumer Reports considers the 2013 Subaru Impreza a "particularly well-rounded package and rates it their top-scoring small sedan. Highlights include the "very absorbent" and "controlled" ride, handling that is "responsive" and "secure." Editors also find the acceleration good and overall fuel economy of 27 mpg "impressive," given the vehicle's standard all-wheel drive.
"A roomy interior, a commendable ride/handling balance and all-wheel drive make the 2013 Subaru Impreza a solid choice for an all-season compact sedan or hatchback." (Edmunds)
Over at Kelley Blue Book, the consensus is that Impreza makes sense for buyers seeking "practicality, reliability, good fuel economy and the all-weather traction benefits of all-wheel drive." On the other hand, if a bargain performance car is on the must-have list, there's a lot to like in the Impreza WRX or "the even more potent - but pricier" WRX STI.
The Impreza for 2013, says Consumer Guide, delivers a well-rounded package that's roomy, practical and pleasant to drive. "For shoppers adventuresome enough to look beyond the default choices in small cars, the Impreza could be a very satisfying pick."
"Despite its low price, the Impreza comes with most of the standard equipment that other non-luxury class sedans/hatchbacks have, even when comparing those above its price class." (Motor Trend)
What Owners Say
The feature most-liked (and commented on) by owners of the 2013 Subaru Impreza is its standard all-wheel drive. Hatchback owners also applaud the roomy interior, the cargo capacity, safety features, comfort, ride and the car's flexibility and versatility. More than a few commented on the "great gas mileage" in the five-door hatchback.
As for Impreza WRX owners, the comments mostly center on how fast the car is. But owners also like that the car is "different."
Owner gripes include engine and transmission noise, not enough driver headroom, poor ground clearance, "quirky" CVT that needs more low-end pickup, and the fact that no cruise control is on the base model.
Model/Trim Lineup
Think of the 2013 Subaru Impreza as sensible, practical and affordable transportation in sedan and hatchback models. There are also the high-performance versions of the previous-generation Impreza in the WRX and WRX STI trim levels.
The Impreza sedan comes in 2.0i, 2.0i Premium and 2.0i Limited trims. The Impreza hatchback offers two more trims, the 2.0i Sport Premium and the 2.0i Sport Limited.
Standard equipment in the 2.0i includes 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning, full power accessories, cloth upholstery, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, trip computer, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with CD player and iPod connectivity and auxiliary audio input.
Next up is the 2.0i Premium, which swaps out 15-inchers for 16-inch alloy wheels and adds a six-speaker sound system, cruise control, an adjustable front-center armrest and, in the hatchback, a cargo cover. Buyers opting for the Alloy package get 17-inch wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. Heated front seats, heated mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer are included in the optional All-Weather package.
The 2.0i Limited, which includes both Premium packages, tacks on automatic climate control, leather upholstery, rear center console, HD radio, touchscreen audio interface, automatic headlights and fog lights.
The 2.0i Sport Premium adds roof rails to the Premium package, and also includes Alloy Wheel and All-Weather packages. The 2.0i Sport Limited includes Alloy Wheel and All-Weather packages to the extra items included in the 2.0i Limited.
Options include a sunroof and a voice-activated navigation system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and a rearview camera.
WRX and WRX STI trims have more powerful engines and stiffer suspensions. The WRX STI has high-performance Brembo brakes. These high-performance Impreza models can be upgraded with a short-throw shifter, turbo-boost gauge, and satellite radio.
Performance
Among the auto critics, the Impreza has some criticism regarding lackluster acceleration, engine noise that is exacerbated by the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and road noise that can be pronounced at times.
All 2013 Subaru Impreza models, except for the WRX and WRX STI, are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission. Horsepower is rated at 148, with 145 pound-feet of torque. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway in the Impreza sedan with manual transmission, and 27/36 mpg with automatic transmission. In the hatchback, the numbers are 25/33 mpg.
WRX and WRX STI models have a larger 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 265 or 305 horsepower, respectively. The WRX has a five-speed manual transmission, while the WRX STI is equipped with a six-speed manual. Fuel economy for the WRX is EPA-estimated at 19//25 mpg. In the WRX STI, the numbers are 17/23 mpg.
Interior
Anyone looking for an elegant interior may be disappointed in the simple and plain cabin of the 2013 Subaru Impreza. So say the majority of the motoring press. But simple doesn't mean cheap, although some reviewers note that plastics used are a little cheap-looking.
The controls are straightforward and easy to use, with one exception. On Impreza models equipped with heated front seats, the control buttons are hard to reach, located below the driver's side armrest.
Leather seating is available and makes spending time in the car much more comfortable.
Passenger room is considered good for four adults and, for the class, the rear seat in the Impreza is spacious. The five-door hatchback has very generous cargo space: more than 52 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded. The sedan, meanwhile, has 12 cubic feet of trunk space.
Safety & Reliability
Safety is an important consideration in the purchase of any new vehicle. The 2013 Subaru Impreza has good safety scores and comes equipped with standard stability control, traction control, antilock disc brakes, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, and whiplash-reducing front head restraints.
In crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2013 Subaru Impreza earned an overall four-star crash protection rating. This includes four stars for total front and five stars for total side impact testing.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Impreza its highest "Good" rating in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests and named the hatchback and sedan (except for WRX models) a Top Safety Pick. The Impreza was not tested in the new small overlap front test.
Reliability, however, has been less than stellar. The 2013 Subaru Impreza has a two-circle score in the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating. That's below average or, as the J. D Power site describes two-circles, "The Rest."
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