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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
For 2012 Subaru has redesigned the Impreza sedan and hatchback. I really need four wheel drive and would like to get better mileage in the bargain.
I am interested in the hatch version. Subaru claims some pretty impressive mileage figures, and they have made the engine smaller (2 liter), and added a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters. Where I live the paddle shifters would be great for decelerating on the hills we have.
And the price is comparable to the Honda and Hyundai offerings which are only 2 wheel drive. What do you think of the new Impreza?
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
If I didn't need a truck that is what I would be buying.
Some have said the CVT drone can get annoying, at least they said that when it was introduced on the new Legacy a year or two ago. Maybe that has improved.
My only complaint about the hatch on our 08 is that it is a magnet for dirt, it is like the airflow never cleans it off. We keep a California Duster on hand to wipe it before leaving each day when the weather is dry. Takes about five seconds.
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
Looks like all the car companies are going out of their way to make compact versions look like smaller replicas of the mid to full size entry in the market.
The pix below is the Impreza which is hard to differentiate from the Legacy.
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
Here is the Legacy. Hard to tell which one is which. The Elantra and Sonata have the same twin car styling
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
One of the few good uses I have ever found of Consumers Report (hope I have the name right) is their annual report which is a book that gives owners of the model report on the vehicle. At one time they were in library, assume still are.
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
You'd be amazed at the proportion of drivers who don't know the differences among drive systems. For them, AWD is useful. And Subaru makes fine cars, so that brand makes sense for them.
But I'd think that someone like you would want one that you could switch between 2 & 4. Why pay for the fuel to operate a duplicate drive system for the vast majority of driving when 2 is enough?
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
Have never even looked at a AWD system but thought safety was one advantage of due to quick turns or sudden bad road conditions. Is it only a simple traction advantage and only of value as switching to a 4 wheel drive?
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
I've got a 4wd truck but in the winter would far rather drive the AWD Subaru. Having the traction when you need it rather than a half second later is worth a couple mpg in mileage, plus the new ones don't give up much in mileage. Now if I lived in the Southwest I'd go the other way.
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
Here are the 4WD cars I have owned:
1) 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee Quadra Track- Front wheel dominate I think 60/40. Probably the best of the group.
2) 2000 Toyota Tundra switchable 4WD. Ridiculous locked up 4WD drive, but you have to know you need it, otherwise your ar doing 360 degree spins. My wife did a 360 spin right on my drive way only went 100 feet and wound up on the the lawn.
3) 2005 Honda Pilot - predominantly front wheel drive only kicks in with rear if it senses a slip combines with traction control to apply brakes to attempt to get traction. Gets the job done, but does not make you feel invincible like the the Jeep.
4) 2007 Honda CRV same as 2005 Pilot
5) 2010 Honda Pilot somewhat improved version of 3 and 4, but I belivee essentially the same principle.
So of these the Jeep was the best, I stopped buying Jeeps because Honda ownership was easier on me, no rattles, no bad wiring... the Honda AWD systems were good enough that I never got stuck anywhere and no 360 spins for the wife. In 6 years of ownership of the Honda variant I have not had any problems. With the Jeep I used to drive through deep unplowed snow on road and off road, same with driving through deep mud etc. without a wimper. The Honda's are not eager, they just do what needs to be done, that's all.
Subaru has a video where they compare their AWD to Honda, Toyota and GM. For them to shine they need an incline with only one wheel with traction. Jeep is notably absent from the test, so it is safe to assume Jeep shines with their off road rated systems.
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2012 Subaru Impreza Redesign Review
Latest information is that the 2012 Impreza will be at the dealers in January, so they could have called them 2013 with the way the auto industry plays it.
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09-06-2011, 10:25 
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