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2012 Subaru Impreza at 2011 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Suzuki Kizashi, VW Jetta, Mazda3
• Looks like: A stub-nosed compact car
• Drivetrain: 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or CVT
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2011

There is one drawback to putting all-wheel drive in every vehicle you make: You’re never going to be as fuel efficient as the competition. That changes with the 2012 Subaru Impreza. It packs an all-new version of the company’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and upgraded continuously variable automatic transmission that returns an impressive 27/36 mpg city/highway, the most-efficient all-wheel-drive car on the market.
The Impreza also sports a new design. While not as radical as the concept promised, the real thing is still sharper than the model it replaces. The 2012 Impreza needs to be seen in person to appreciate its stubby proportions.
Despite being the same size as the outgoing model, an extended wheelbase adds interior space to the tune of an additional 2 inches of rear legroom. The front windshield is also raked farther forward, so the driver and front passenger get a feeling of more space. Cargo room in both the sedan and hatchback has also improved. The interior now is similar to the larger Legacy and Outback. There are also a number of changes to standard equipment and trim levels, which we break down below, along with more images. No pricing was announced, but we expect it to remain close to the current model’s base price of $17,495.