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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Subaru Impreza

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Subaru Impreza

Overview

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2012 Subaru Impreza Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.8

For 2012, Subaru introduces an all-new version of its capable and dependable compact sedan and wagon. The 2012 Subaru Impreza is roomier and better-trimmed inside than many competitors, and continues as the only passenger car under $20K with standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD). Courtesy of reduced weight, a new, more-efficient 2.0-liter boxer engine and continuously variable automatic transmission, the 2012 Impreza offers the best EPA-estimated fuel economy of any gasoline-powered all-wheel-drive passenger car, better even than the base-engine/automatic-transmission mileage of front-drive compacts like Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra.

You'll Like This Car If...

The 2012 Impreza is the practical choice if you value the no-nonsense reliability, security and all-weather traction benefits of standard all-wheel drive combined with roomy comfort and top-notch fuel economy in its class.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If Subaru's traditionally excellent safety ratings or the Impreza's standard all-wheel drive traction isn't a big factor in your purchase decision, there are compact competitors that offer more features for less money.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.8
Driving Dynamics

6.7
Comfort & Convenience

6.7
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.3
Value

6.8
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#22

out of 28

MPG

#11

out of 27

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.2 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2012 Subaru Impreza Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

Subaru made the Impreza a comfortable, roomy, attractive place for customers downsizing from mid-size cars. The Impreza's safety credentials are bolstered by a standard driver's knee airbag for 2012. Last year's Outback Sport is discontinued, replaced by two range-topping 5-door wagon models: the 2.0i Sport Premium and 2.0i Sport Limited.

Driving the Impreza

2012 Subaru Impreza Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Like comfortable sneakers, the 2012 Subaru Impreza offers surefooted all-wheel-drive traction under all road and weather conditions. It may lack the sharp steering response of a Focus or road feel...

of a Civic, but the Impreza imparts confidence and feels unflappable at all times. The all-new 2.0-liter boxer engine is 13 percent less powerful than last year's 2.5-liter, but acceleration is decent, especially with the available continuously variable transmission (CVT), which replaces 2011's 4-speed automatic. The CVT responds quickly to changing road grades and driver input without shift lag, although with the radio and fan turned off, a slight transmission whine is heard. New front seats offer more comfort and improved support. Outward visibility is among the best in the segment. The wagon's split rear seat folds completely flat and the rolled-up cargo cover stows under the cargo floor – two examples of Subaru's thoughtfulness.

Favorite Features

INCLINE START ASSIST
Called "Hill Hold" in popular parlance, this nifty feature keeps your Impreza from rolling back or forward as you release the clutch when starting out on an incline. It's standard on manual-transmission models.

ECO GAUGE
New for 2012, this dash-mounted analog gauge gives Impreza drivers bio-feedback on how fuel-efficient they are driving. It's simple, effective and if you keep the needle to the right, you're saving gas.

2012 Subaru Impreza Details

2012 Subaru Impreza Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Although overall length is unchanged from 2011, the 2012 model is the roomiest Subaru Impreza ever. It has more rear-seat legroom than some mid-size cars thanks to a skillful wheelbase stretch and scalloped front seatbacks. Hip and shoulder room improve courtesy of carefully contoured door panels. Larger door openings make getting in and out easier than in many competitors. Raised seat heights, increased glass area and a lowered dash help give a command-of-the-road feel. Front seats get pressure-distributing bottom cushions, increased lumbar support and new tilt-adjustable headrests. Soft touch coverings adorn the dash, door panels and console.

Exterior

The 2012 Subaru Impreza gets all-new sheet metal. Both the more-formal 4-door sedan and sporty 5-door wagon feature more sharply sculpted, Legacy-derived styling with prominent wheel arches and hawkeye-shaped headlights. In silhouette, each has a light and airy greenhouse with large windows and slimmer-looking roof pillars for improved visibility, highlighted by a more rakish windshield. With blind spots reduced or eliminated, the new Impreza is one of the easiest cars in its class to maneuver and move through traffic.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base Impreza 2.0i rolls on smallish 15-inch steel wheels, but otherwise is cheerfully equipped with standard all-wheel drive, A/C, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split folding rear seat, carpeted floormats, wagon cargo tie-downs, auto-off headlights, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, height-adjust driver's seat and tilt/telescoping steering column. The 2.0i Premium gains 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, wagon cargo cover, sliding center armrest, and a 6-speaker audio with Bluetooth streaming, iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability, and a USB port. The 2.0i Limited adds leather trim, 17-inch alloy wheels, the CVT (automatic transmission), heated seats and HD radio with 4.3-inch display. Well-trimmed and wagon-only, the 2.0i Sport Premium and Sport Limited models lack only standard navigation and a moonroof.

Optional Equipment

The only option available on base 2.0i Imprezas is the CVT. With the Impreza 2.0i Premium, the optional CVT comes with shift paddles that allow the driver to manually select six ratios. Also available on 2.0i Premium models are an all-weather package with heated seats and outside mirrors plus wiper de-icers, and a 17-inch alloy-wheel package that adds stainless-steel exhaust tips and a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel. A power moonroof and 6.1-inch touch-screen navigation system with XM satellite radio is optional on all but the base model. Last year's removable Tom Tom nav unit is no longer offered. Neither are power seats.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Subaru Impreza sticks with its unique, compact boxer engine that's known for reliability and a low center of gravity that helps handling and safety. But while the 2011 2.5-liter Impreza had one of the larger, more powerful standard engines among compacts, the all-new 2012 2.0-liter version is among the most advanced and fuel-efficient with a 36-percent boost to its EPA combined city/highway rating. Subaru engineered the new engine for improved low- and mid-range torque, which improves around-town responsiveness. A switch to a new dual-overhead-cam configuration with variable valve control for both intake and exhaust boosts efficiency and performance. Adapted from the Legacy, the 2012 Impreza upgrades its automatic transmission to the Lineartronic CVT, which – unlike earlier CVTs that droned on – gives a more linear response to the gas pedal.

2.0-liter flat-4
148 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg (manual), 27/36 mpg (automatic)

Pricing Notes

Despite all the improvements to fuel economy, roominess, comfort and infotainment technology, the base price (MSRP with destination charges) of the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sedan is the same as 2011, just over $18,000. Five-door Wagon models go for $500 more. Last year's top model, the Outback Sport, is replaced by a pair of loaded, wagon-only models (the Sport Premium and Sport Limited) that range from $21K to just above $23K. That puts the top Impreza models up against the better equipped VW Jetta, Mazda Mazda3, Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze models, but these competitors don't have all-wheel drive. The closest AWD rival is the Mitsubishi Lancer, with the tiny Suzuki SX4 and larger, more expensive Suzuki Kizashi and Ford Fusion rounding out the small field. As with other Subarus, we expect the 2012 Impreza to hold its resale value well. To get a better idea of what people in your area are paying for their 2012 Subaru Imprezas, check out Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price in the "What should I pay for a new car?" section on our homepage.

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2012 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 27 Ratings for the 2012 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.4/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

7.8/10

Great WRX

By NEVRLAT (AZ) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun to Drive and Fast!!!!"

Cons: "Transmission needs work. Needs to be smoother!!!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The WRX is a very Fun car to drive. Very reliable. The power from the 2.5L turbo charged Boxter Motor is very responsive and quick. When you need to go it will go!!! The only bad thing I will have to say is the transmission 5spd. It is very difficult to shift from 2 to 3rd at times. Not very smooth for having a car costing $30k and built in 2013. Other than that the car is very impressive to look at and is a fun car to drive from day to day and weekend driving."

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2013 Impreza WRX Plasma Blue Sedan

By Mochi (FL) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "AWD, performance, different, quality, roomy, safe"

Cons: "Factory speakers"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I chose my WRX because I felt like it was the most car I could possibly get for the money. I test drove everything- the BRZ/FR-S, the Focus ST, the Civic SI and a bunch of others. How can anyone complain about the gas mileage of an AWD sports car with 260 HP... It gets 18-25 MPG and I average about 23 without sacrificing any fun. I used to care about MPG until I test drove this. It's 20$ more per fill up than my old 2009 Focus, and let me tell you, the smiles per miles are much higher! To my surprise, my insurance only went up 15$ and I'm 22. It's always raining here and I don't fear puddles, this car is planted to the ground. It's very smooth and solid, not too stiff like the other cars and road noise is not an issue. Interface is very simple & the A/C is amazing. I no longer get taken advantage of by traffic and merging on the highway is a breeze. High speeds do not phase this car, it is smooth even at 100+. You don't see many of these and if people aren't asking me what it is, they are otherwise revving their engines at me, haha! I wanted a car that I wouldn't get tired of & everyday it makes me smile. Enjoy life, driving is a privilege but it definitely doesn't have to be mundane!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best college car ever!

By Gbowl (WV) on Thursday, July 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Good mpg great seats and love the Bluetooth"

Cons: "$$, needs lockable trunk, need standard camera"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I just got my Impreza premium for my graduation and I was thrilled. I need that AWD for going back and forth to my college and home and with the bad winters we have this was the perfect choice. My favorite thing is Bluetooth phone and audio streaming so i never have to plug my phone in again to hear my music on the highway and with the new law banning talking on the cell while driving this is great. The seat are really nice and conform to your body making a 2hr drive to the capital a breeze. Also for a compact car the rear legroom is awesome all my friends are really tall and they still have plenty room back there for the carpooling. I wish they would have a touch screen standard on the premium models for the price. But all in all a great car!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Great design/real improve over prior years

By GrahamboOSU on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,700

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Price, fun to drive, interior"

Cons: "Mileage, stock speakers"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"The good: This is my first Subaru. I cross shopped the Elantra GT, Mazda3 and Ford Focus and choose the Subaru, because of the space inside and interior feel on the limited. Overall I've been very happy with the car. Reliability has been great with zero issues. The leather in the limited trim seems to wear well with proper car. At low speed traffic the car really feels low geared and peppy. No one mentions this, but the suspension really soaks up bumps and uneven pavement. The result? A quiet smooth ride IMHO. The Bad: I ordered my Marine Blue from a local dealer in Sep. 2012 and took delivery in Dec. 2012. Hopefully this is not happening to people now, but Subaru underestimated interest (big time!). Gas mileage has been just average. I've gotten 24-27 in town depending on how I drive. Mileage on the highway is great and is easily 34-36. There's a bit more sway and lean when cornering (fix with bigger sway bar set?). While not unusable the stereo is pretty bad. The good thing is that the speaker upgrade is simple and straight forward."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great design/real improve over prior years

By GrahamboOSU on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,700

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Price, fun to drive, interior"

Cons: "Mileage, stock speakers"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

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Worst Mistake I Ever Made

By Heather (PA) on Sunday, May 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,200

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Too many cons to find anything favorable."

Cons: "Poor mpg, LOUD road noise, LOW curb clearance"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I did my homework, or so I thought, for three full months. Trusted the literature among many different brands, and test drives. Two sole reasons brought me to the 2012 Subaru Impreza Ltd. One, AWD, and two, fuel rating of 27/36 or 30 combined. NOT! I have this car one full year and in 42 fill ups, receive a 25.4 combined. Terrible. The 16 yr old SUV I traded in received more. Other downsides are it is so low curb height, 5.7 inches clearance, I am always bottoming out on driveways to retail stores. Need to drive around to find another way in. Makes me cringe when I go in or out of an entrance. Then its wider than my former vehicle, but somehow its less space. Glove compartment only holds their two manuals, that's it. Side door pockets are one fourth the size of the door. Console has all the connections in the base, so can't hold my CDs. I need a separate tote to hold what should be in the console and glove compartment. Bought the limited edition, leather seats, whole nine yards and cannot stand it any more. So loud to drive, too much road noise. Navigator is not user friendly like the top known brands. Difficult to use. I bought this car in hopes of keeping it 15 years, but am going to do all I can in the next two weeks to trade it in before I hit 10,000 miles. That is my goal. Subaru has not been any help on the fuel consumption, says it shows no problem."

7 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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