But while the 2011 2.5-liter Impreza had one of the larger, more powerful standard engines among compacts, the all-new 2012 2.0-liter version is among the most advanced and fuel-efficient with a 36-percent boost to its EPA combined city/highway rating. Yes, it will save you $1,000, but the fuel economy advantage is gone — 25/34 mpg gas mileage versus 27/36 mpg with the automatic, in the sedan. More than some CVTs, the Impreza’s allows the engine to wind down pretty quickly when you let off the gas, giving it a more natural feel like a conventional transmission does when it shifts up a gear after a quick sprint. It competes with the Chevrolet Sonic and Honda Civic. Years of rapid growth may be a clear upside for Subaru, but with the good now comes the bad. * This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating. At 26,000 miles, my center differential went bad and Subaru gave me a brand new CVT Transmission. Highly recommend this vehicle. There’s no backseat center armrest except in the top trim level, however, and the backrest angle isn’t adjustable, even in the hatchback version. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. The 2012 Subaru Impreza currently has The carryover Impreza WRX and STI still offer plenty of performance, but … No issues.

The headliner isn’t woven fabric, but it’s not as cheap-looking as traditional mouse fur. The closest AWD rival is the Mitsubishi Lancer, with the tiny Suzuki SX4 and larger, more expensive Suzuki Kizashi and Ford Fusion rounding out the small field. The Impreza’s safety credentials are bolstered by a standard driver’s knee airbag for 2012. With blind spots reduced or eliminated, the new Impreza is one of the easiest cars in its class to maneuver and move through traffic.The base Impreza 2.0i rolls on smallish 15-inch steel wheels, but otherwise is cheerfully equipped with standard all-wheel drive, A/C, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split folding rear seat, carpeted floormats, wagon cargo tie-downs, auto-off headlights, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, height-adjust driver’s seat and tilt/telescoping steering column. Joe Wiesenfelder Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1.3 million model-year 2014-16 Subaru Forester SUVs, model-year 2008-16 Impreza sedans, model-year 2012-16 Impreza wagons, model-year 2008-14 WRX ... Twelve cubic feet are available under the optional retractable cargo cover, and there’s 22.5 cubic feet behind the backseat, otherwise. While all-wheel drive can provide this advantage in sporty cars, I fear the 2012’s body roll and modest power keep it from doing so. Will sportiness be the sole province of the WRX and STI?Shorter drivers will love the low hoodline and generous range of seat-height adjustment. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. Neither are power seats.The 2012 Subaru Impreza sticks with its unique, compact boxer engine that’s known for reliability and a low center of gravity that helps handling and safety. The Impreza isn’t quite there, but it’s as close as any four-cylinder/CVT combo I’ve driven, and maybe closer.Anyone who wants to pretend he’s driving a regular automatic can use the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles to select “gears” sequentially. Last year’s Outback Sport is discontinued, replaced by two range-topping 5-door wagon models: the 2.0i Sport Premium and 2.0i Sport Limited.For 2012, Subaru introduces an all-new version of its capable and dependable compact sedan and wagon. That puts the top Impreza models up against the better equipped VW Jetta, Mazda Mazda3, Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze models, but these competitors don’t have all-wheel drive. Some reviewers said that the engine and CVT combo provide adequate power from a stop, while others found it a bit slow. The 2.0i Premium gains 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, wagon cargo cover, sliding center armrest, and a 6-speaker audio with Bluetooth streaming, iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability, and a USB port. Audio controls join the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel.The sole individual option for the Premium is the automatic. The redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza’s most compelling attributes are evident before you even start the engine. To find the best deals near you, please enter your ZIP code. Take a glance and you’ll see more mature styling in both the sedan and four-door hatchback. Find the best used 2012 Subaru Impreza near you. Soft touch coverings adorn the dash, door panels and console.The 2012 Subaru Impreza gets all-new sheet metal. (The manual hatchback gets 1 mpg less on the highway. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder takes a look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza. I have had it about 7 months and It’s been the best vehicle I’ve had. As manual transmissions’ mileage advantage slips away, I suspect automakers will learn that they appeal mainly to those who simply want to drive a manual, and those buyers will demand more performance, not less.

Also available on 2.0i Premium models are an all-weather package with heated seats and outside mirrors plus wiper de-icers, and a 17-inch alloy-wheel package that adds stainless-steel exhaust tips and a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel. Both the more-formal 4-door sedan and sporty 5-door wagon feature more sharply sculpted, Legacy-derived styling with prominent wheel arches and hawkeye-shaped headlights. The turbocharged WRX and WRX STI versions continue as they were in 2011; they’re 2012 models but not redesigns. Save cars. Well-trimmed and wagon-only, the 2.0i Sport Premium and Sport Limited models lack only standard navigation and a moonroof.The only option available on base 2.0i Imprezas is the CVT. As with other Subarus, we expect the 2012 Impreza to hold its resale value well.