KEY POINTS:
While Subaru New Zealand is expecting a boost in sales of the upmarket Impreza with the launch of the new model, the cheapest one is still expected to be the most popular.
The humble $26,990 2.0R, pictured here, will account for half of all Impreza sales, if Subaru's maths is correct.
Except that it's not so humble any more. While the old 2.0i was super-cheap at $24,990, it also had significantly less power than the mid-range Impreza and was very much a cheap-and-cheerful effort.
The new 2.0R not only gets the same grunty engine as the next-Impreza-up, it also sports an array of stuff such as stability control, six airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate air and trip computer.
It's an impressive little car that still gets the traction of Subaru's full-time all-wheel-drive system.
So is there really any reason to look further up the range? To put it simply, yes. The 2.0R is the only Impreza to miss out on the mesh grille and body kit fitted to the rest of the range, which makes a dull thing look just that bit more dull.
And while the chassis is still nicely balanced, the smaller wheels and cheaper tyres fitted to the base car induce more understeer and a noticeably less satisfying driving experience than the $31,990 2.0R Sport.
Besides, as well as the improved footwear and styling enhancements, with the Sport you get privacy glass, sports seats, an upgraded stereo with a jack for your MP3 player, cruise control and steering-wheel mounted controls.
In the days of the previous Impreza, Subaru simply couldn't convince buyers to step up from the entry 2.0i to the mid-range 2.0R - the $7000 price differential was too much.
The new entry-level model, the 2.0R, might get the same engine as the mid-range 2.0R Sport, but with the price-gap narrowed to $5000 and so much extra on offer in terms of handling and equipment, there's every reason to move up the range.
And that's certainly Subaru's plan - under the new model regime, the 2.0R Sport will account for more than one-third of sales.
SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0R
How much? $26,990.
Engine and transmission: 2.0-litre horizontally opposed petrol four producing 110kW/196Nm, five-speed manual, full-time all-wheel drive.
Economy: Australian Design Rules fuel consumption 8.9 litres/100km.
- Detours, HoS
