Subaru IMPREZA 2.0R

The Frequently Overlooked Subaru Impreza 2.0 These Days Has A Little More Visual Punch. Andy Enright Takes A Look At The Latest 2.0R Model

Theres no doubt that a sort of cult has built up around the Subaru Impreza, buoyed up by the rally success, the long line of ever faster turbocharged cars and the awesome all-weather performance. The trouble is when many buyers are old enough to be able to afford the insurance on a racy WRX model, theyve developed families, bellies and a sensible Audi A4/BMW 3 Series outlook on life. Something had to be done and the 2.0 R models are tasked with doing it.

This car has pragmatism writ large across it. Offering much of the visual kick of the 2.5-litre turbocharged Impreza WRX, the 2.0R is resolutely insurance friendly as well as being practical enough to convince sceptical spouses that it represents a viable alternative to a Ford Focus.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

Theres a choice of saloon and five-door sportswagon bodystyles and both, of course, heavily feature the improvements introduced into the latest generation Impreza line-up. The exterior is distinctive and although the single nostril front grille brings to mind some coke-ravaged Z-list celeb, it combines well with the hawk-eye headlights to give the Impreza a more aggressive personality than ever before. Subaru seems to have jumped onto the clear lensed tail lights bandwagon just as most other manufacturers have jumped off and they dont do a lot to lift the impression of overall quality. Despite its many facelifts and revisions, the Impreza never feels like a thoroughly modern car.

The doors clang shut, the trim feels cheap and hard in almost every area and the seating position is far from ideal.

"Offering much of the visual kick of the 2.5-litre turbocharged Impreza WRX, the 2.0R is resolutely insurance friendly"

Most of the attention given to the latest Impreza line-up has focused on the rocketship 2.5-litre turbocharged models but in doing so, its easy to overlook quite what a well-rounded package the Impreza 2.0R represents. No amount of rally replica body styling or PR puff about heritage can detract from the fact that with 158bhp under the bonnet, the R is well shy of the 170bhp Fiat Stilo Arbath and the 197bhp Skoda Octavia vRS that sell for comparable money.

Nevertheless, theres a depth of engineering and fluency to the Impreza that the others lack. Whilst in the case of the Skoda and Honda, youre buying a breathed upon shopping hatch, with the Subaru youre effectively buying a stripped down version of the Impreza WRX. Where the R really scores is in its ability to distil all the genius of the WRX into a far more affordable package, and actually improve on it in certain areas. As befits true driving enthusiasts, the engineers at Subaru have spent most effort fine tuning the Imprezas engine, suspension, bodyshell and steering.

As with so many evolutionary models, the latest generation Impreza range emerges as a better car, although perhaps not quite so exciting as the original first generation model. It certainly feels a more mature proposition. Driven back to back with the other Impreza models, you could argue the 2.0-litre R to be possibly the pick of the range.

Whilst its obviously a fair degree tardier than the Impreza WRX, the saving of nearly £5,000 more than makes up for this. Drive one hard and youll realise youve got 80% of the WRXs abilities in a far more affordable package. For those buyers looking for something a little different to the usual family saloon or hatchback, it certainly merits further investigation. Certainly the steering, which in the WRX feels a tad numb at low speed, has an additional willingness to it in the 2.

0R, aided in no small part by the narrower tyres. These tyres also help to give a beautiful predictability to the handling, especially as youll delight in driving the car at ten-tenths of its capabilities most of the time. Wringing the power from the characterful boxer engine is something youll grow accustomed to, as the 2.0R will hit sixty in a nippy 8.

5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 130mph. You certainly couldnt call it slow and yet it will return over 40mpg on a long motorway run. With power steering, air conditioning, CD player, remote central locking, twin front and side airbags, a hill holder clutch, spoiler kit and 15" alloy wheels, the 2.0 R certainly doesnt want for standard equipment. Factor in a Category One remote alarm and immobiliser, sports seats and four-channel anti-lock brakes, and the 2.0R looks good value for its £16,225.

Whilst some may decry the Subaru Impreza 2.0R as the tamest of sheep in wolfs clothing, the modest power output doesnt detract from the fun on offer. The R feels purer than any of the turbocharged models and makes a delightfully fluent B-road car. Whats more, it wont break the bank in terms of initial purchase or in running costs.

With Subaru consistently scoring highly in ownership surveys, the 2.0R could well be the sort of car that offers the best of both worlds. With a responsible, practical side it appeals to the head and with its fun-biased all-wheel drive chassis and sweet responses, it does the same for the heart.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Subaru Impreza 2.0 R
PRICE: £16,225-£16,725 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 214g/km
PERFORMANCE:Max Speed 130mph/ 0-60mph 8.5s ECONOMY:(urban) 22.6 / (extra urban) 40.4 / (combined) 32.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drive and passenger airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4465/1740/1440mm