Subaru Impreza (2014 – 2018) Review

Subaru Impreza (2014 – 2018) At A Glance

3/5

+Safe and predictable handling. Impressive grip levels. Good sized boot. Decent standard equipment.

-Only one engine choice. High emissions. Drab interior.

Insurance Group 14
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

The credit crunch was bad news for Subaru. A poor exchange rate with the Japanese Yen meant increased prices and poor sales – so the Impreza hatchback was dropped from the UK line up. Now that the economy has picked up it is back on sale – though the range is limited to one engine and one trim level.

All models get a 114PS 1.6-litre petrol. In typical Subaru style it is a boxer engine linked to full-time all-wheel drive. It’s a proper all-wheel drive system, complete with a low-range transmission boxr for particularly treacherous conditions. Subaru doesn’t offer a front-wheel drive version.

That narrows the appeal of the Impreza of course – but Subaru doesn’t expect the Impreza to be bought by typical family hatchback customers. Instead it’s aimed at the rural buyer who needs to get to and from work year-round in all weathers – and it does a very good job, with tremendous levels of grip and traction.

It’s very hard to get the Impreza stuck thanks to the massive amount of traction afforded by the all-wheel drive system and on-board computers. The ride quality is good, even over rough surfaces – plus you’ll even manage some light off-roading – gravel tracks and muddy farmyards can be tackled with ease.

Unfortunately the Impreza is a bit of a one-trick pony. It’s a capable car, but the cabin is drab and there’s nothing remarkable about the looks or price. Furthermore, official fuel economy is poor at 44.1mpg and CO2 emissions are high at 147g/km.

On the plus side, standard equipment is good. Even entry-level models get automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, alloy wheels, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Even so, the appeal of the Impreza is limited. If you really want rugged, all-seasons capability in a family hatch it's a decent choice – but for everyone else there are better alternatives.

Real MPG average for a Subaru Impreza (2014 – 2018)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

27–41 mpg

MPGs submitted

12

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Is £16,495 too much to pay for a pre-registered, very low mileage Subaru Impreza?

"I have seen a pre-registered 2016 Subaru Impreza I RC with 11 miles on the clock at a dealership for £16,495. I think the RRP for these cars is about £18,980. Am I correct in thinking that the price the dealer wants is too much as they will be able to claim back the VAT (about £3,800) on the new price they may have paid? There is also the fact that whoever buys the car will be shown as the second keeper. Is there room for movement and could this car be secured for around £15,500 or am I being too greedy?"
The dealer claims back the VAT he paid to the importer to buy the car into stock. That gives him a base price to work from. He then charges the customer VAT on whatever price he sell the car to the customer and it will be shown on the invoice. He then pays that VAT to HMRC. For example, dealer buys the car from International Motors for £15,000 + 20% = £18,000. He can then claim that £3,000 VAT back from HMRC in his next return. If he sells the car for you for £16,495, that's £13,746 + £2,749 VAT and he has to pay that £2,749 to HMRC in his next return.
Answered by Honest John

What's the best small 4x4 auto?

"My 83 year old father lives on a steep hill that is often snow covered or muddy. He doesn't want a big 4x4 and feels that even on winter tyres his current Skoda Yeti would struggle, it is also unreliable. He is looking for a new hatchback or small estate, with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission. He would prefer Japanese or Korean, for reliability and his annual mileage is too low for diesel. We are considering a Subaru Impreza, but are there other options we should consider?"
A Suzuki Jimny automatic is still listed. Otherwise automatic is a problem with a small SUV. The Suzuki Swift 4WD, FIAT Panda 4x4 and FIAT Panda Cross immediately spring to mind, but are manual. Vauxhall Mokka 4WDs aren't automatic. Next year there will be automatic versions of the new Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.
Answered by Honest John
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