Other notables?

The auto-levelling xenon headlights included as part of the loaded tester are powerful and saturating, and for the roughly $29,000 they want for this loaded model, you get plenty of other goodies, including keyless engine start, navigation, a sunroof, a high-resolution back-up camera, and automatic climate control.

There’s also the EyeSight safety system, which warns drivers up up-the-road hazards and powers an adaptive cruise control system which works as smoothly and intelligently as any other I’ve tried. EyeSight can alert drivers of imminent crashes, lane departures, and even cancels throttle application if there’s a car in front of you. The system is camera based and needs a clear view outwards, so note that at 30 below, it might take 20 minutes to fully defrost Impreza’s tall windshield before the system can work.

Gripes? Noisy engine aside, the heated seat switches are placed approximately 0.2 inches from your right buttock, making them fussy to reach. Further, the various displays and interfaces lend a busy and high-tech look, though slight variations in colors, fonts and visual themes in each one don’t quite tie it all together.

Cross shopping? If you’re not set on AWD, you can easily find a sportier, punchier compact in this segment for the money. Two of my favorites are the Dodge Dart and Mazda 3, both of which, for similar cash, pack about 40 more horsepower, more pleasing full-throttle performance, and no shortage of goodies. Notably, the Mazda 3 offers an exceptionally smooth powertrain, more upscale feature content, and a more premium look and feel to its cabin. Plus, if you’re not set on a car, there’s no shortage of AWD-equipped crossover models at this price point that offer even more space.

Warranty:
3 years/60,000 km; 5 years/100,000 km powertrain; 5 years/unlimited distance corrosion perforation; 3 years/unlimited distance 24-hour roadside assistance

Competitors:
Chevrolet Cruze
Dodge Dart
Ford Focus
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte
Mazda 3
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Corolla

Ultimately though, if all-out performance firepower is lower on your priority list than driving a winter-slashing compact sedan that’s a proven long-haul bet, and one that’s comfortable, confident and pleasant to drive anywhere, in any weather, Impreza should be considered a priority test-drive.

Pricing: 2015 Subaru Impreza Limited with Technology Option
Base Price: $29,395
Options: N/A
Freight: $1,595
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $31,000

Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

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