First Drive: 2015 Subaru Impreza

Kelowna, British Columbia – First the good: the fourth-generation 2015 Subaru Impreza returns in both sedan and hatchback body styles with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and the availability of manual and automatic (CVT) transmissions in all trim levels. 2015 pricing remains the same as in 2014, with the addition of a newly available Tech Package option ($1,200) on Sport and Limited models that includes Subaru’s EyeSight collision prevention system. 2015 Impreza MSRPs are: 2.0i base ($19,995), 2.0i Touring ($21,695), 2.0i Sport ($23,895) and 2.0i Limited ($26,895).

Improvements to all 2015 Imprezas include slightly better fuel economy and lower emissions from the standard (and only) 148-hp 2.0L four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine, improved CVT performance, improved ride and handling, more responsive steering, a quieter cabin, upgraded interior trim materials and larger, more advanced touchscreens, improved headlights, and the availability of Subaru’s sophisticated EyeSight collision prevention system on higher trims.

The chunky exterior styling of the Impreza sedan and hatchback has been revised slightly, but you’ll have to look closely to notice the changes: new black and chrome headlamp surrounds, a revised front bumper and grille design, new fog light surrounds with chrome L-shaped ‘hockey stick’ trim, new trunk spoiler (sedans) and a lower blacked out bumper insert. Canadian Imprezas get exclusive chrome grille trim and chrome door trim on all trim levels. As well, the side mirrors on the 2015 Impreza are wider and narrower to improve forward vision and side vision. You’ll also find new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs on Touring, Sport and Limited trims. High luster 17-inch alloy wheels on the Limited model are exclusive to Canada.

2015 Imprezas are available in six colours: ice silver metallic, dark grey metallic, crystal black silica, deep sea blue pearl, venetian red pearl and, new for 2015, crystal white pearl.

Inside, the basic dash layout remains the same with the addition of new metallic trim on the centre stack, steering wheel, dashboard, and air vents, and new piano black trim around the centre display screen and shift lever. There’s also a new leather shifter boot and new stitched door armrests.

A 6.2-inch touchscreen is now standard on all Imprezas while top models get a 7.0-inch screen with pinch, swipe and double-tap capability similar to smartphones and tablets; the tachometer and speedometer now have blue faces, and the 3.5-inch screen between the gauges (Sport and Limited) is now colour instead of black-and-white. It also includes more information than before.

All 2015 Imprezas now include standard SiriusXM satellite radio with a free, three-month subscription, and a rearview camera that provides a wide-angle view (160 degrees) of the area behind the car when the transmission is in Reverse. Top-of-the-line Limited trims also include an app-activated GPS navigation system and voice activation. In addition to standard Bluetooth phone and audio, Imprezas are available with a new Starlink app that allows users to download music, news, weather, calendar and other features from their own smartphone.

2015 Subaru Impreza sedan, hatchback, dashboard. Click image to enlarge

A less obvious upgrade for 2015 is more sound insulation: sound insulating materials have been added to the CVT and torque converter case, inner wheel wells, floor surfaces and roof pillars. In addition, the torque converter has thicker, more rigid walls to reduce vibration, and the oil pump has been modified. The side windows are thicker and the windscreen has a new inner insulating layer. All these changes mean that wind noise and road noise are down about 10 percent, according to Subaru. Road noise levels are about equal in the sedan and hatchback, but Subaru’s tests show that there is less wind noise in the sedan.