Subaru Stuffs Bigger 2017 Impreza With Tech, Safety Gear

The Impreza sedan and five-door go on sale late this year in a segment dominated by stalwarts such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, which each racked up U.S. sales last year that were more than five times those of the Impreza. In 2015, Subaru sold 56,274 Imprezas in the U.S., making it a small player in a segment with deliveries of 2.2 million.

To give the Impreza a more competitive edge, Subaru will offer new driver-assist technology and multimedia features including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Impreza is Subaru’s third-biggest selling model after the Forester and Outback. Production of the Impreza is switching to Subaru’s factory in Lafayette, Ind.

Pricing hasn’t been disclosed but the current Impreza starts at $19,045, including shipping. The 2017 Impreza will be available in four trim and equipment levels, including a new sport model.

The redesigned Impreza’s wheelbase has grown an inch to 105.1 inches. The sedan and five-door are both 1.6 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and 0.4 inches lower than the current version.

The 2017 Impreza is the first nameplate to use a new global platform that Subaru said is designed to improve handling, agility, crash protection and ride comfort.

The new platform increases body rigidity more than 70 percent, Subaru said. The car’s center of gravity is lower and the suspension is revised. In addition, the new platform gives the new Impreza 40 percent more crash energy absorption.

The Impreza will again have symmetrical all-wheel drive that’s standard on all Subarus except the BRZ sport coupe. It will be powered by a revised 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that gains direct fuel injection.

Horsepower improves to 152 from 148 on the current Impreza. The engine is mated to a seven-speed continuously variable transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The EyeSight driver-assist system includes adaptive cruise control, precollision braking, lane-departure and sway warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Other new features are blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Impreza will be offered with new steering-responsive headlights and a feature that turns the high beam lights on and off depending on road conditions.

All-new driver-assist technologies include reverse automatic braking and tire pressuring monitoring for individual wheels.

Subaru has not yet disclosed which features will be standard or optional.