Subaru Impreza review

This is an area where the Impreza can’t compete with the turbocharged rivals. Again, the 2.0-litre makes the strongest case, because for its mere £1,000 premium over the 1.6, you don’t lose a lot in terms of economy and emissions – 42.8mpg combined and 152g/km of CO2, versus 44.1mpg and 145g/km for the 112bhp engine. However, what all this data should tell you is that the Impreza is a long way off what something like a TDI Golf would give you, meaning you’ll pay more in terms of first-year tax for the Subaru.

It’s also not particularly cheap to buy at £25,000, even if you accept any comparably sized four-wheel-drive rivals are £5,000 more again (but you’d rather have a BMW or Audi, wouldn’t you?), although the SE specification is generous. Building on the old car’s bumper equipment levels, the new Impreza adds keyless entry and go, an eight-inch touchscreen incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloys instead of the old 16s, LED steering-responsive headlights with High Beam Assist, an electronic handbrake, privacy glass and a shark-fin antenna.

Then of course there's EyeSight and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD) – the former using its twin-stereo cameras near the interior mirror to bundle Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert safety functions into the car, while the latter includes Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

All the above, plus its tough body and chassis, has allowed the Subaru to score the highest mark ever recorded in Japanese NCAP safety tests, something the company is very proud of – and something it believes the car will replicate when Euro NCAP puts the Impreza through its appraisals. So, it’s a sturdy car and one that is loaded with equipment, although one last note here: options are limited to different paints from the standard white, four for the 1.6 and an additional red for the 2.0, at £550 apiece. Surprisingly, leather upholstery, a sunroof and satnav (Subaru reckons most people will simply use their smartphones and one of either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for guidance) are not on the menu in any form.