2015 Subaru Impreza appears with updated styling and more tech

By Stephen Edelstein September 25, 2014

The WRX may get more attention, but the Subaru Impreza provides a solid base for that pocket rocket to build on, and now it’s getting some attention of its own.

The 2015 Impreza will hit showrooms with revised styling and a longer list of tech options to keep this compact car – last redesigned for the 2012 model year – fresh.

Anyone who doesn’t own the current car will have a hard time spotting the differences, but a new grille, front bumper, and headlights tie the Impreza to the 2015 Legacy, giving it a slightly more upscale look.

The Impreza is once again available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, and Subaru has added a few notable standard features, including a backup camera, pushbutton start, and an infotainment system.

The basic system uses a 6.2-inch center-stack touchscreen and features HD Radio compatibility, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, and Subaru’s Starlink with Aha integration.

Related: 2015 Subaru WRX first drive

The system can also be upgraded with a 7-inch screen that features swipe and scrolling gesture control, and with a navigation system on top of that.

Subaru’s EyeSight safety will also be available on the Impreza for 2015. It uses a windshield-mounted camera to detect obstacles, and includes active cruise control and automatic braking features.

Also available are the steering-controlled fog lights that debuted on the 2015 Outback. They turn with the steering wheel to illuminate the road through corners.

The powertrain is unchanged, meaning the Impreza is still motivated by a 2.0-liter boxer-four, producing 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Both five-speed manual and continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmissions are offered.

Subaru says the CVT has been tuned better simulate stepped gear changes, which drivers used to conventional transmissions will probably appreciate.

These tweaks won’t keep the Impreza out of the WRX’s shadow, but they might attract a few new tech-savvy customers.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Mobile

The 6 best car phone holders in 2024

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger with an iPhone 14 Pro.

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Installing a car phone mount in your vehicle is the best way to make sure that you have easy access to your smartphone when behind the wheel. While you shouldn't be using your phone while driving, having it mounted on your windshield, dashboard, vent, or anywhere else will let you take a quick glance when you're using a navigation app, or to change your playlist when you stop for a traffic light, for example. Instead of having to pick up your device, it will be easier and faster to get these done while it's on a car phone mount for less time of having your eyes off the road.

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.