2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S: owner story
It’s never too late to try a new brand. Something Jian found out with his, and his family’s, first Subaru.
Do you have a unique car or ownership story you would like to share? Reach out at contactus@drive.com.au
- Impressive safety suite
- Leather interior feels premium
- Symmetrical AWD gives confidence in all conditions
- Could do with more power
- Screen overload in the interior
- Back seat passengers miss out on air vents/USB ports
To get all the details, Rob spoke to Jian in Sydney about his Impreza…
This is the first Subaru I’ve owned and the first Subaru in my family.
I was attracted to the Impreza’s price and comprehensive list of safety features, important to me as this is my primary vehicle for the family. I splurged a little when buying my 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S, which comes with a leather interior and sunroof and I’m glad I did. I love both features.
Typically, I drive my partner to and from work and we also take weekend road trips as well as the occasional weekend getaway. Throw in the usual grocery shopping trips and all the other little jaunts that life brings your way requiring a car, and my Impreza serves as a great daily driver.
| Key details | 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine |
| Power | 115kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 196Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Weight (kerb) | 1393kg |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) |
| Power to weight ratio | 82.6 (kW/t) |
| Price when new (MSRP) | $35,230 plus on-road costs |
We’ve only recently bought the car so we haven’t been able travel too far, thanks to Covid enforced lockdowns.
Canberra has been as far as we’ve gone but, probably like everybody else, we’re looking forward to exploring more once the pandemic eases. It was good to take the Impreza out on the open road to Canberra where I was happy with its ride and just how safe it felt. Safety is important to me, especially on long trips, and the Subaru’s safety features do provide some reassurance.
I love how the Impreza rides on the road too, and it doesn’t matter if it’s out on the highway on longer road trips or bombing around town doing the shopping or commuting to work. It just feels solid and comfortable. It’s easy to manoeuvre around the tight inner-city streets where I live too, so that’s nice as well.
The Impreza is quick to get off the line, both in the city and out on the highway. The 2.0-litre boxer engine certainly has enough power and torque for what I need. No complaints here.
And I love the leather interior. The seats are amazing and comfortable and with plenty of adjustment, including height, I’ve found the perfect driving position. The interior is a real highlight for me.
If I could improve anything it would be to add USB points and air vents to the second row.
| At a glance | 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S |
| Boot volume | 460L |
| Length | 4640mm |
| Width | 1775mm |
| Height | 1455mm |
| Wheelbase | 2670mm |
| ANCAP safety rating | Five-star (tested 2016 – link) |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited km |
| Price when new (MSRP) | $35,230 plus on-road costs |
| Colour as tested | Magnetite Grey Metallic |
| Competitors | Kia Cerato | Mazda 3 |
I’ve only had the one free scheduled service so far (since I only recently bought the Impreza) so am not sure yet what to expect when it comes to servicing costs.
I like the Impreza’s driver technology, and I find the cameras very useful, especially around where I live which is riddled with tight streets and even tighter parking spots. But, to be honest, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the number of screens in the Impreza, all telling me different things.
In terms of fuel economy, I really like the Impreza’s idle stop/start function and the information screen it brings up. I reckon I’ve saved a bit of money through that feature, not that I spend a lot on fuel in the first place.
I think I spend around $50 every few weeks on my pretty short commute from the inner city to the CBD plus doing the usual weekend running around. Still, every bit helps.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Usage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 6.6L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane petrol |
| Fuel tank size | 50L |
The only issue I’ve had with the Impreza so far is my inability to pair my iPhone to Apple CarPlay, currently, I have to use Bluetooth for streaming although I suspect this is down to my iPhone and the car itself. I’ll get it checked out at my next service. I think that’s down to the age of my phone. Might be time for an upgrade.
Would I recommend the Subaru Impreza? Most certainly.
Thank you to Jian for sharing his owner story.
Do you have a unique car or ownership story you would like to share? Reach out at contactus@drive.com.au
The post 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S: owner story appeared first on Drive.