Subaru has gone official with its new-generation Impreza at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, with the update headlined by a more potent 2.5-litre petrol engine.
CarsGuide has contacted Subaru Australia to determine if and when the new model will arrive Down Under, and if the new engine is on the table, but the brand spokesperson said “more details for the Australian market” will be shared “in due course”.
Sporting a fresh look, the sixth-generation Impreza is more of a refinement in aesthetics than a reinvention for Subaru’s small-car competitor, while the sedan version is no longer available as the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 rival goes hatchback only.
Look closely and you will see the 2023 Impreza sports larger grille and sharper headlights, as well as new-look tail-lights.
Inside however, the updated model comes with either a 7.0-inch multimedia system or 11.6-inch portrait-orientated unit to differentiate itself from the going Impreza.
Subaru is also boasting a more supportive seat design and less noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) for improved in-cabin refinement.
Mechanically, the 2023 Impreza is shaping up to be a better driving experience than before, starting with its Subaru Global Platform underpinnings that is now 10 per cent more torsional rigid, while also featuring less weight.
Also adding to the Impreza’s new-found sportiness is a version of the WRX’s dual-pinion electronic power steering rack that is targeting a “more direct and natural steering feel and greater responsiveness”.
And like all Subaru’s (barring the BRZ sports car), the Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive that features active torque vectoring.
Powering the 2023 Impreza line-up, at least in the US, is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine or a more potent 2.5-litre unit.
The 2.0-litre engine is available on the entry-level Base and mid-tier Sport grades, and outputs 113kW/197Nm – close to the 115kW/196Nm offered in Australia’s outgoing Impreza with the same sized engine.
However, the 2.5-litre engine offered in the top-spec RS punches out 136kW/197Nm – closing the gap between the Impreza and performance-focused WRX’s 202kW/350Nm 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine.
Like before, the new Impreza will not be offered with a manual gearbox, and instead all engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Standard equipment includes tyre pressure monitoring, dual-zone climate control and a dual-screen multimedia set-up for the Base grade.
Stepping up to the Sport adds 18-inch wheels, a sportier suspension set-up, SI-Drive drive-mode selector, an 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, push-button start, keyless entry and fog-lights.
The RS gains unique 18-inch wheels, and LED head- and fog-lights, as well as black-coloured front grille, side skirts and side mirrors.
Inside, the RS also scores faux carbon-fibre trim accents, sports seats with red bolster, aluminium pedals, heated front seats and RS-specific floormats, while a 10-spoeaker Harman Kardon sound system, powered moonroof and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat are on offer as options.
In terms of safety, all versions of the 2023 Impreza come with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist systems, which includes autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
The RS trim adds blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.
Keyword: Are you impressed? 2023 Subaru Impreza detailed with more potent engine and revised styling to better take on Toyota Corolla and Mazda3