Subaru Announces 2017 Impreza Pricing, Gives Six-Speed Manuals the Finger
Subaru has coughed up how much the all-new 2017 Impreza hatchback and sedan will cost.
The new Subies offer a few surprises in regard to pricing, especially on the higher trims, and a shocking loyalty to the five-speed manual transmission — an increasingly rare beast in the automotive landscape.
However, top-of-the-line Limited cars are an eyebrow-raising $1,500 beyond the previous generation. That equates to $24,915 for the sedan and $25,415 for the hatch.
This price jump is mostly due to the Premium and Limited models only coming with a continuously variable transmission — a $1,000 option on other models. The Limited also gets aluminum 17 inch wheels, daytime running lights, leather-trimmed interior, and a few other niceties you won’t see on the base model.
Enthusiasts will forego the Limited and smartly opt for the Sport trim mated with that five-speed gearbox. The Sport comes with a tuned suspension, active torque vectoring, 18-inch wheels, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen display. Its exterior also gains exclusive black accents intended to add menace. The Sport sedan starts at $22,815 with the manual but, if you are foolish, you can ruin it with the CVT.
It is curious that Subaru has adhered to the five-speed manual when so many other automakers have switched to six-speed units. Outside of micro cars like the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, and Chevrolet’s Spark, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything offering five gears and a clutch without traveling back in time a few years. Of course, those concerned with enhanced fuel economy can purchase a base model with CVT and those obsessed with close-ratio gearing can buy a six-speed WRX STI.
For 2017, Subaru has placed the new Imprezas on its scalable Global Platform. With better claimed rigidity and energy absorption compared to the company’s current models, the stiffer chassis should translate into a better ride and improved safety. All models will come standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system possessing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Obviously, Imprezas will continue on with Subaru’s beloved Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system and 2.0-liter Boxer engine. The motor is up four ponies from last year, making 152 horsepower.
The 2.0i Sedan paired with the CVT is the most fuel-efficient model, with an EPA-estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Imprezas equipped with a CVT are available later this year but you’ll have to wait until early 2017 if you want to own what may be one of the last five-speeds in existence.
[Image: Subaru]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Why are the CVTs a $1000 option? Aren't they cheaper to make, or is there a longer warranty on them to justify the added cost?
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggg! Subaru - thank you for saving the manual. Roughly half of the "previews" of the new Impreza that I read claimed the manual was going the way of the Dodo Bird on the next generation car. Thank you also for offering your manual with a wide variety of trim packages - not just the zero options base model. But damn it make the option more appealing and add an extra gear!