The WRX may get more attention, but the Subaru Impreza provides a solid base for that pocket rocket to build on, and now it’s getting some attention of its own.
The 2015 Impreza will hit showrooms with revised styling and a longer list of tech options to keep this compact car – last redesigned for the 2012 model year – fresh.
Anyone who doesn’t own the current car will have a hard time spotting the differences, but a new grille, front bumper, and headlights tie the Impreza to the 2015 Legacy, giving it a slightly more upscale look.
The Impreza is once again available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, and Subaru has added a few notable standard features, including a backup camera, pushbutton start, and an infotainment system.
The basic system uses a 6.2-inch center-stack touchscreen and features HD Radio compatibility, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, and Subaru’s Starlink with Aha integration.
Related: 2015 Subaru WRX first drive
The system can also be upgraded with a 7-inch screen that features swipe and scrolling gesture control, and with a navigation system on top of that.
Subaru’s EyeSight safety will also be available on the Impreza for 2015. It uses a windshield-mounted camera to detect obstacles, and includes active cruise control and automatic braking features.
Also available are the steering-controlled fog lights that debuted on the 2015 Outback. They turn with the steering wheel to illuminate the road through corners.
The powertrain is unchanged, meaning the Impreza is still motivated by a 2.0-liter boxer-four, producing 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Both five-speed manual and continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmissions are offered.
Subaru says the CVT has been tuned better simulate stepped gear changes, which drivers used to conventional transmissions will probably appreciate.
These tweaks won’t keep the Impreza out of the WRX’s shadow, but they might attract a few new tech-savvy customers.
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