2023 Subaru Impreza revealed, confirmed for Australia

The sixth-generation 2023 Subaru Impreza has debuted at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show ahead of its Australian launch in the coming months.

It follows the reveal of its Crosstrek small SUV twin in October, with the updated Impreza – now exclusively built in hatchback guise – featuring the same basic underpinnings as its predecessor.

As expected, it is a lowered version of the Crosstrek – the global name for the next-generation XV – without the plastic wheel cladding, and a different grille and bumpers.

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While Subaru Australia has yet to confirm local details, a spokesperson said more information will be announced “in due course” – with an Australian arrival likely a few months behind the Crosstrek in the first half of 2023.

"We’re incredibly excited about the latest global reveal by Subaru Corporation of the all-new Subaru Impreza. Impreza has been part of the Subaru family for 30 years, and we look forward to sharing more details for the Australian market in due course," said Subaru Australia.

The styling of the Impreza is evolutionary over the outgoing model. It features redesigned headlights and tail-lights, new alloy wheels, and the return of the sportier RS grade.

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Inside, a larger 11.6-inch portrait-orientated infotainment system – as found in borrowed from the Outback, WRX and Crosstrek – includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, satellite navigation, and climate controls that are now operated via the touchscreen.

While a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is available on the Japanese-market WRX and Outback, the new Impreza features analogue dials with a small 4.2-inch display in the centre.

As Drive reports, equipment highlights include dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and push button start, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, an electric sunroof, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, and heated front seats.

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Unique highlights for the RS include darker 18-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim, RS badging, LED fog lamps, “upgraded” LED headlights, faux carbon-fibre trimming, and sports cloth seats with red bolsters.

Under the bonnet, American versions are, as before, powered by naturally-aspirated petrol engines matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, which now includes torque vectoring as standard.

The entry-level mill is a 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder producing 113kW and 197Nm, while flagship grades step up to a 2.5-litre engine – as found in the Forester and Outback – with 136kW and 245Nm.

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A hybrid version, likely powered by the 2.0-litre system from the Crosstrek, is expected for Japan and Europe, and potentially for Australia.

Subaru has yet to provide dimensions for the new Impreza, but the related Crosstrek measures 4480 millimetres long and 1800mm wide, with a 2670mm wheelbase.

This is 15mm longer than the outgoing XV and Impreza, with a 5mm longer wheelbase.

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According to the Japanese brand, the Subaru Global Platform underpinning the Impreza is 10 per cent stiffer with 3.4 times more structural adhesive for improved performance, handling and NVH. It has also fitted a version of the dual-pinion electric power steering rack from the WRX sedan.

As with the Crosstrek, the brand’s EyeSight active safety technology has a wider field of view, with the autonomous emergency braking system now able to detect pedestrians and cyclists at intersections, emergency steering functionality for the lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert and rear cross-traffic alert, and a standard rear-seat reminder.

The 2023 Subaru Impreza will arrive in the US in the first half of 2023, with Australian launch timing currently unconfirmed.

Below: The current 2022 Subaru Impreza

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