The LA Auto Show gave us an opportunity to take a sneak peek at the sixth-generation Impreza and it didn’t come without a few surprises. In a landmark move, Subaru confirmed that there is only a hatchback body style now available, meaning there’s no chance the new Impreza will be available as a sedan. It wasn’t all bad news, however, with enthusiasts kept happy with confirmation the new RS model will sport a 2.5-litre ‘Boxer’ engine.
RELATED: 2022 Subaru WRX Wagon Review: Your Key to Unlocking the Weekend
2023 Subaru Impreza RS | Image: Man of Many
Styling-wise, the standard version keeps the familiar design template from its predecessor albeit with a tweaked grille design and flared wheel arches. We also like the inclusion of blackened elements with no chrome in sight. The RS version of the car meanwhile gets bigger 18-inch wheels and a sportier look which includes carbon-fibre trim for the interiors and aluminium pedals.
The five-door hatchback now has a roomier cabin but a major highlight happens to be the new dashboard design with its bigger 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen. This moves a lot of the controls to the touchscreen along with the inclusion of Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist feature.
With EyeSight, the system can now identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies brakes to avoid collisions. Automatic Emergency Steering is also included on models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
2023 Subaru Impreza RS | Image: Subaru
The base trim has the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection engine with 152bhp and all-wheel drive is now standard across the range while the RS-spec gets a more powerful 182bhp 2.5-litre engine. Impreza loyalists will bemoan the lack of a manual gearbox option but the Sport and RS trims will have an 8-speed manual mode with the CVT gearbox being controlled by paddle-shifters.
An updated platform means 10-per cent higher torsional rigidity and the new model also inherits the WRX sport car’s dual-pinion electronic power steering rack which promises greater feedback and precision. Details for the Australian-spec model are unknown but we’d wager that it would be seen in the showrooms by the end of next year being a pivotal model for Subaru.
2023 Subaru Impreza RS | Image: Man of Many
2023 Subaru Impreza RS | Image: Man of Many
