2016 Subaru Impreza Review

Detailed Review

The Subaru Impreza has been in production for five generations starting from 1992 to the present. The 2016 model is part of the fifth generation that was in production from 2016 to the present. It brought about major changes such as new engines, better fuel economy, improved aerodynamics, and an upgraded interior.

The 2016 Subaru Impreza is powered by a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine producing 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.

Subaru Impreza Grades

1. Subaru Impreza 1.6i – This is the base grade that comes with the 1.6L engine, CVT or Manual Transmission, 2WD or 4WD, 15-Inch alloy rims, smart start, CD/Radio player, manual seats.
2. Subaru Impreza 1.6iL – This is an intermediate grade that comes with the 1.6L engine, CVT or Manual Transmission, 2WD or 4WD, 16-Inch alloy rims, fog lights, smart start, Keyless Entry, DVD Player, a multifunction display, idling stop(CVT model)
3. Subaru Impreza 2.0i – This is a basic grade that comes with the 2.0L engine, CVT Transmission, 2WD or 4WD, 15-Inch alloy rims, smart start, DVD Player, a multifunction display, idling stop, PaddleShift.
4. Subaru Impreza 2.0i EyeSight – This is an intermediate grade that comes with the 2.0L engine, CVT Transmission, 4WD, 16-Inch alloy rims, fog lights, smart start, DVD Player, a multifunction display, idling stop, PaddleShift, EyeSight.
5. Subaru Impreza 2.0iS – This is the premium grade that comes with the 2.0L engine, CVT Transmission, 2WD or 4WD, 17-Inch alloy rims, fog lights, smart start, DVD Player, a multifunction display, idling stop, PaddleShift.
6. Subaru Impreza 2.0iS EyeSight – This is the premium grade that comes with the 2.0L engine, CVT Transmission, 2WD or 4WD, 17-Inch alloy rims, fog lights, smart start, DVD Player, a multifunction display, idling stop, EyeSight, PaddleShift.

Interior

The interior design of the 2016 Subaru Impreza is quite conservative, which may put off shoppers seeking more flare. Others will appreciate how clean it is and how well it is going to last the test of time. The materials and build quality are acceptable for the segment, as evidenced by the use of soft-touch materials and narrow panel gaps. On the downside, Impreza’s audio systems are poor, even by the modest standards of this class.

The front seats are supportive and comfy on extended road trips, and head and legroom are above average for the class. The rear seat is one of the most spacious in the market, which makes this Subaru ideal for compact families.

Exterior

While the Impreza Sport is not the most attractive car on the road, it does have its own distinct appeal.

The Impreza Sport’s face is instantly recognizable as a Subaru. Though the style has changed for 2016, the new automobile retains its heritage. The hexagonal grille with chrome trim and seven-star insignia are placed high on the nose of the car, surrounded by huge, highly accentuated headlights. Two design creases go over the hood from back to front, as if the grille is leaving a trail. The lower fascia features a relatively steep approach angle, at least for a hatchback, which helps the Impreza Sport look the part of its Subaru heritage.

Cargo Space

The 2016 Subaru Impreza’s cargo room is ample, with 12 cubic feet in the sedan’s trunk and 22.5 cubic feet in the hatchback’s trunk. When the rear seatbacks are folded down, the hatchback’s cargo area expands to a substantial 52.4 cubic feet.

Safety

Stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, and whiplash-reducing front head restraints are all standard on every 2016 Subaru Impreza. All versions come equipped with a rearview camera, while some models include adaptive cruise control, a forward collision prevention system with automated braking and lane departure warning. Additionally, Starlink Connected Services are available, which include automated collision warning, emergency assistance, stolen vehicle recovery, and remote door lock/unlock.

Dimensions

The 2016 Subaru Impreza has a height of 1455mm, a width of 1740mm, 4415mm length, and a ground clearance of 130 mm which is below the minimum recommended ground clearance of 6.5 Inches for Kenyan roads and it may not clear some speed bumps. It might be necessary to modify the ground clearance to adjust the car to Kenyan roads. Read our guidelines here on how to safely increase a vehicle’s ground clearance.

Stability and Handling 

The 2016 Subaru Impreza’s four-cylinder engine provides decent acceleration around town, but passing maneuvers on the highway will require careful planning. Overall, the Impreza is among the slowest small sedans and hatchbacks. The CVT responds too quickly to throttle commands, excessively raising engine speed and intensifying engine noise. At a steady pace on the interstate, the Impreza is not louder than its competitors, but the engine noise becomes grating with strong acceleration. The manual transmission helps, but the abrupt clutch engagement can make driving the Impreza in heavy traffic challenging.

The Impreza does not instantly impress with its catlike quickness around corners. However, if you drive more aggressively, you will discover that it has stable handling, precise steering, and confident braking.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts are very affordable and widely available in Kenya. Body parts can be expensive depending on availability. In Nairobi, most spare shops in Industrial Area and Kirinyaga Road stock these parts. You can get listings for these shops here follow this link

Resale Value: Good

Subaru Impreza Competitors: Toyota Auris, Mazda Axela, VW Golf, Audi A3, Mitsubishi Galant Fortis and the Nissan Tiida

Cost of Ownership
See Latest Subaru Impreza prices here

What We Like

1. Modern Interior
2. Good Performance
3. Fuel Efficient

What we don’t

1. Low ground clearance

Conclusion 

The Subaru Impreza is an excellent family car that is ideally suited for city life. It has been improved to be a truly affordable vehicle, and it is also dependable with few difficulties. In particular, the symmetrical AWD and large interior make it a more desirable vehicle to purchase than its competitors.