The base trim of the 2012 Subaru Impreza is equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, and a black grille from outside while inside it has cloth seats, a manual air conditioning system, 4-speaker audio system, and an anti-theft security system with an engine immobilizer. Unfortunately, as base trim, it misses on many features such as heated seats, panoramic sunroof, and bigger alloy wheels which are offered on the higher trims. 

Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, 6-speaker audio system, and paddle shifter are given on the topmost trim. Taking the sweet middle spot, Premium trim features nearly the same features as the top trim but it does not have features such as automatic climate control, 4.3-inch LCD display, and leather seats.

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The base is most cost-effective but misses out on many features. Top trim has all the features but most of them are shared by the Premium trim. Therefore, from every perspective, mid-range Premium trim is your best choice.

A new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-4 engine has replaced the old 2.5-liter flat-4 engine which Impreza was using for many years. However, it is more fuel-efficient as claimed by Subaru. This engine is married to a 5-speed manual transmission by default on the base trim but the CVT option is also available.

This 2.0-liter engine churns out 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. An all-wheel-drive system is given in the Impreza just like previous generations. The 2012 Subaru Impreza can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds which shows that fuel economy might have been improved because of the new engine, but the acceleration still needs refinement.

The Mazda 3 has the quickest acceleration of all as it jumps from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.8 seconds which is 0.2 and 0.3 seconds faster than the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra respectively. That said, Hyundai Elantra has the smallest engine in the segment which generates the same horsepower as the but torque produced is 14 lb-ft less as compared to the Subaru Impreza.

With the automatic transmission, Impreza returns a fuel economy of 27/36/30 mpg in the city/highway/combined. If a manual transmission is selected then fuel economy is reduced by 2 mpg each in the city, on the highway, and combined. With the biggest fuel tank in the competition which is also shared by the Mazda 3, 2012 Subaru Impreza has a range of 392 miles and 522 miles respectively in the city and on the highways.

The Mazda 3 enjoys the top spot as the sedan with the least fuel consumption while Subaru Impreza despite improved fuel efficiency comes last. The Ford Focus has slightly better fuel economy on the highway as compared to the concerned car of this article. Finally, the Hyundai Elantra is the closest competitor to the Mazda 3 in terms of fuel-saving.

The interior is more spacious and comes in better quality materials as compared to the previous generations. The touchscreen is properly placed and the driver can access it easily. However, as compared to rivals, the tech aspect of Impreza is still behind. The seats have Tricot or Striped cloth upholstery which can be upgraded to leather on the higher trims. 3-spoke steering wheel and gear shifter are also wrapped in leather to give a nice feel and better grip while driving.

4-way and 6-way manual adjustability to the front passenger and driver seat respectively is common through the trim range. There are no heated front seats for the base trim but it does have manual air conditioning which can be upgraded to automatic climate control on the topmost trim. Center console with adjustable armrest lid, manual tilt and telescopic steering column, paddle shifters, drive side power window, and steering wheel control buttons are some of the comfort features given on the 2012 Impreza.

With a passenger volume of 90.7 cu-ft, the rival from Ford has the least airy cabin in the competition. However, with a passenger volume of 96.9 cu-ft, the Impreza is wearing the crown but it has the smallest trunk in the competition. That said, the Elantra and Mazda 3 have a passenger volume of 1.3 cuts and 2.8 cu-ft less than the Impreza. Finally, the largest cargo capacity is offered by the Elantra. Major interior features include:

• Automatic climate control
• Tricot or Striped cloth upholstery
• 60/40-split flat-folding rear seats
• Manual tilt and telescopic steering column 
• Keyless entry
• Heated front seats (optional)

How intuitive is the 2015 car’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Subaru Impreza does not offer much on the base trim in the infotainment section as only a 4-speakers audio system and a CD player are given for the consumers’ amusement. However, upper trims are equipped with Bluetooth, two more speakers in the audio system, HD radio, USB port, aux jack, and 4.3-inch LCD display. Optional features such as a 6.1-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM, and navigation system are only available on the Premium and Limited trim. Major infotainment features include:

• 4-speaker sound system
• CD player
• 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigation system (optional)
• Bluetooth
• Voice recognition (optional)

The New Impreza has similarities with its sibling Legacy. However, there is no doubt that the exterior language of the Impreza is sharper and snazzy compared to previous generations. It has a standard 15-inches steel wheel that can be replaced with bigger aluminum wheels on higher trims. Base and Premium trim has color-keyed door handles while the top tier trim has chrome accents over handles. Fog lights are dealer-installed accessories on the first two trims but standard on the topmost trim. Heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-ice which are part of the all-weather package comes optional on the Premium trim. Power tilt and sliding sunroof are only given on the Premium and Limited trim. 

In terms of curb weight, Impreza is the heaviest in the lot. As for the width and height, every sedan in the competition is in a similar ballpark. That said, Elantra has the largest wheelbase in the competition while the Impreza has the biggest ground clearance. However, the longest car is the Mazda 3. Major exterior features are:

• Fog lights (optional)
• 16-inch steel wheels
• Windscreen wiper de-icer
• Power tilt/sliding-glass moonroof (optional)
• Automatic headlights

The IIHS has crowned the Subaru Impreza as the ‘top safety pick’ in the mid-size sedan segment. It has also received ‘Good’ ratings from the IIHS. However, as per NHTSA data, Impreza managed to earn an overall 4-star safety rating. Coming to the features, the 2012 Subaru Impreza is equipped with brake assist, traction control system, anti-theft system with engine immobilizer, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring system, and daytime running lights. Major safety features are:

• Cruise control
• Brake assist
• Engine immobilizer
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• ABS

After the full redesign, Impreza has become more refined, comfortable, and attractive but there are still certain areas that Subaru strictly needs to consider for improvements such as cargo capacity and performance. Otherwise, the Subaru Impreza is still a hot deal for you to take home. But if you want something more like an all-rounder sedan and can ignore the new redesigned, Mazda 3 or Hyundai Elantra are the two best alternatives you can aim for.