2012 Subaru Impreza

2012 Subaru Impreza Review

Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza Right for You?

What Is It and Who Is It For?

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is a compact vehicle that’s available in both sedan and hatchback body styles and seats up to five people. It’s meant for drivers who want a versatile compact vehicle with a generous amount of cargo space in hatchback models. Buyers also get standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Few cars in this class offer AWD.

What Makes It Unique?

Unlike several other compact vehicles, the Elantra is available in both sedan and hatchback bodies. Additionally, AWD is standard throughout the lineup.

Impreza vs. Other Subarus

In Subaru’s sedan lineup, the compact Impreza sits below the compact WRX, midsize Legacy, and midsize Outback wagon.

Subaru Impreza vs. Competition

Compact vehicles are some of the most popular vehicles on the market, so the Impreza faces strong competition:

• Honda Civic: A leader in the segment, with a more powerful available engine, a coupe body style, and is a fully redesigned model for 2012.

• Mazda3: Offers more athletic handling and more powerful engines, but isn’t as spacious.

• Volkswagen Golf: Only available in a hatchback body, is more efficient, comes with a nicer interior, but comes with a less powerful standard engine.

• Hyundai Elantra: Only offered as a sedan, has better fuel economy, and comes with more standard features.

Is the 2012 Model Year Right for You?

Changes for 2012

• The 2012 Impreza is fully redesigned for the model year.

2012 Subaru Impreza vs. Older Impreza

Subaru came out with an all-new Impreza for 2012. Before that, the last time the Impreza was completely updated was in 2008. If you’re not a fan of the redesign, any Impreza from 2008 to 2011 will look similar and have a lot of the same features. You could save money by choosing an earlier model Impreza.

You can find used Subaru Imprezas with Carfax’s used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the Impreza from other model years

Which 2012 Subaru Impreza Trim Is the Best Value?

• 2.0i

• 2.0i Premium

• 2.0i Limited

• 2.0i Sport Premium (hatchback)

• 2.0i Sport Limited (hatchback)

We recommend the 2.0i Premium trim, which is available for both sedan and hatchback bodies. It adds Bluetooth, cruise control, and six audio speakers over lower trims. It’s also available with a few packages that make it feel far more upscale. The 2.0i Premium trim should meet the needs of most buyers.

Find a used Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium

The 2.0i Limited trim adds all of the 2.0i Premium’s available features as standard, including leather upholstery, which makes it feel far more upscale. The 2.0i Sport Premium trim is the obvious choice for consumers seeking a hatchback that looks sporty, but doesn’t add any actual performance parts, making it hard to recommend.

2012 Subaru Impreza Performance

Engine Options

The Impreza has one available engine:

• 148-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and AWD

Compared with the class? The Impreza’s standard engine is average for the segment, having more power than the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf. A lot of other compact options are available with multiple engines that have more power than the Impreza’s sole engine.

Fuel Economy

• Impreza (manual/CVT): 28/30 EPA-estimated combined mpg*

*The EPA uses a mixture of highway and city driving for its combined estimate.

Compared with the class? With its standard AWD system, the Impreza gets worse fuel economy than the majority of vehicles in the class.

2012 Subaru Impreza Safety Ratings & Features

The 2012 Impreza received good crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Key Standard Features

• Anti-lock brakes

• Traction control

• Stability control

• Federally mandated airbags

2012 Subaru Impreza Interior

Cabin Storage and Features

• Cupholders: 2 front, 2 rear

• Cabin storage areas: Glovebox, center console storage compartment, center console bin under armrest, door pockets front and back

Compared with the class? The Impreza has an average amount of interior storage areas for the class.

Cargo Space

• 12.0 cubic feet (sedan)

• 22.5 cubic feet behind second row (hatchback)

• 52.4 cubic feet behind front row (hatchback)

Compared with the class? When it comes to cargo space, the Impreza hatchback offers some of the most cargo room in the compact class.

Seating Space

Compared with the class? The Impreza offers more space in the front row than a lot of its competitors, but less space in the second row.

2012 Subaru Impreza Warranty

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper. Covers many parts and systems but doesn’t include consumables such as brakes, tires, wiper blades, shocks, or struts.

• 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain. Covers major engine and transmission components.

• Both warranties are measured from the date the first owner purchases the car and are transferable to used-car buyers.

Compared with the class? Average for the class.