Subaru has just launched the new Impreza facelift in
the United States with better equipment and safety features. On the outside,
both the sedan and five-door hatch get new front bumper and grille design,
while the redesigned tail lights are only available for the hatch. A new Ocean
Blue Pearl paint has also been introduced.
There are four variants – Base, Premium, Sport and
Limited – on offer, and all are powered by the same 2.0 litre
horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, developing 152 hp and 196 Nm of
torque. A five-speed short-throw manual transmission is standard, though
upgradable to the Lineartronic CVT with seven-speed manual mode and paddle
shifters.
The Impreza Sport sits on new 18-inch machine-finish
alloys, and gets unique suspension tuning and Active Torque Vectoring. It also
gets the automaker’s SI-Drive drive mode selector, with Intelligent and Sport
modes to choose from. Special exterior finishes for the Impreza Sport are gloss black front
grille, body-coloured rocker panels, gloss black tailgate trim (hatch only),
rear spoiler (sedan only), and unique interior finishes such as black/grey
upholstery with red stitching, Sport gauges, and a multi-function display.
As standard, alL variants get Subaru’s Starlink
infotainment system, with screen sizes ranging from 6.5 inches in the base
model, to eight inches for more expensive variants. The touchscreen system
supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free, and audio
streaming. Eight-inch units add on WiFi hotspot and NFC capabilities, as well
as voice-activated GPS navigation.
Safety gets a huge bump for the 2020 Impreza. To
start, all CVT-equipped Imprezas get Subaru EyeSight driver assist tech as
standard, which includes Automatic Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management,
Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure and Sway Warning as well as Lead Vehicle Start
Alert. Automatic power door locks with collision detection unlock function,
seven airbags, and reverse camera are standard across the board.
Those who want more kit can opt for features like
powered moonroof, Harman Kardon sound system, blind-spot detection with lane
change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Lastly, customers who purchase
the Starlink Safety and Security packages will gain benefits like SOS emergency
assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, automatic collision notification,
remote engine start with climate control and heated seats, stolen vehicle
recovery service, vehicle security alarm notification, remote lock/unlock,
remote vehicle locator and parenting features including boundary, speed and
curfew alerts.
