Rating the latest small Subaru.

This sure doesn’t look like an Impreza. What’s going on?

Only the name stays the same for this – the third generation – Subaru small car. It’s so different, in fact, that Subaru should have called it something else, because an Impreza conjures up images of rally-winning race cars or slammed street cruisers.

Indeed. With hints of BMW’s 1 Series, the Mazda 3 and even the Daewoo Lanos’ derriere going on back there, maybe ‘Subaru Bitsa’ might have been a better name.

Perhaps. But neither the previous Impreza sedan nor wagon could crack it against rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, because it lacked a conventional hatch.

So Subaru said, “Right, we want a piece of that booming small-car action, so we’re gonna show the others how to build a real five-door hatch” (or something like that anyway). That the Impreza now looks normal means that more people might put it on their new-car shopping list.
 
OK, I get it. Subaru wants more sales. How boring. But isn’t individuality one of the reasons why people buy Subarus?

Absolutely. And traditionalists are not going to be happy that the Impreza doesn’t stand out any more; or that the handy little wagon is gone, along with frameless door windows. It’s now just … so ordinary visually.

By the way, a rather vanilla sedan will join the range at the end of 2008.

Oh no! That’s disappointing. It seems like Subaru has thrown the baby out with the bath water!

That’s where you’re wrong. While the Impreza won’t win any original design awards, it is a far, far better car than its predecessor.

Take the base model we are testing here. Against mid-$20K competition such as the Golf and Focus, along with the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer and Holden Astra, it suddenly and emphatically starts to make a lot of sense, shining brightly in important areas such as value, refinement, comfort, security and quality.

The interior is as roomy, practical and comfortable as you would expect at this price level, and then edges ahead in terms of ambience and quality. Plus the equipment levels are very generous.

All it takes is a back-to-back comparison to show how impressive (sorry) the Subaru really is.

And it’s still ‘All Wheel Drive’, right?

Correct. Subaru’s styling may come over all pastiche, but the company’s fundamentals – like AWD and the horizontally opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder engine – have been retained.

Better still, there’s a new, sophisticated multi-link rear suspension system that translates into smoother, more flowing, handling. The ride is much improved, there is far less noise coming into the cabin, and the amount of wet-weather grip is nothing short of sensational.

So what you are saying is that the Impreza is as good as any small car, but then throws in the safety benefits of AWD?

Yes, now you’re getting it. Thankfully, the Impreza still feels like a Subaru to drive. Mind you, it isn’t perfect. The steering could do with a bit more feel. The grille and tail-lights look fussy. And the added weight of the AWD system means fuel economy and performance are not incredible, especially as the engine has to be revved to really get a move-on.

We also think that Subaru is stingy for fitting a four-speed automatic gearbox instead of a five-speeder. The Golf, in contrast, offers a superior six-speed transmission.

Still, for most buyers in this class, the cheapest Subaru will feel like a rich and rewarding experience.

Hmm… it sounds like you actually really like this car then, despite the styling?

Yes, if we needed to buy a sub-$30,000 automatic hatch, the Impreza R would be in our top three. Plus, for those put off by the looks, you can’t really see it from the inside anyway….

10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE…

2008 Subaru Impreza R hatchback

Price: From $26,490 (auto)
Engine: 1994cc DOHC 16V horizontally opposed four-
cylinder petrol
Power/Torque: 110kW @ 6400rpm/196Nm @ 3200rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
How’s it go: 0-100km/h: 11.6 seconds, 182km/h V-max
What it costs the earth: 8.8L/100km/CO2 emissions: 194g/km
Alternatives: Ford Focus LX, Holden Astra CDX, Mitsubishi Lancer VR, Volkswagen Golf 1.6, Toyota Corolla Conquest,
Hyundai i30 SLX
Likes: Value, safety, refinement, cabin comfort, AWD grip, quality
Dislikes: Derivative styling, only four-speeds for auto, steering could be sharper
Out of 5 Stars: 4