Subaru Impreza R 2007 review: snapshot

If 'fully sick' is your preferred state of being, Subaru's new Impreza range isn't quite so virulent as the one it replaces. While no-one free of visual or emotional disorders could have found the previous generation aesthetically pleasing, it was certainly striking, if only because of the series of unfortunate facelifts.

It was though Subaru's styling department; an enigmatic bunch at best was being directed by an especially avid plastic surgeon.

Next to these apparitions the new Impreza is a more or less generic hatch (the door windows now have frames, for heaven's sake), a 'bitser' with elements of what seems to be half-a-dozen different designs.

Explore the 2007 Subaru Impreza range

• Subaru Impreza Hatchback 2007 review
• Subaru Impreza RS 2007 review
• Subaru Impreza 2007 review: snapshot
• Subaru Impreza 2007 review
• Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2007 review
• Subaru Impreza 2007 review: first drive
• Subaru Impreza 2007 review: first drive
• Subaru Impreza R 2007 review: snapshot
• Subaru Impreza WRX 2007 review

Which is apt, really, given that the Impreza has to compete against at least that many models.

More tangibly, once you get past the appearance and the drive that at outset seems almost decadent, you'll find a car that's better in almost every respect than the one it supplants.

And of the four Impreza versions, that applies to none more than the very base model, the 2.0 R.

Indeed, at $24,490 for the entry-level five speed manual ($2K more for the four-speed-auto) it's a class-leading package.

Bigger yet lighter at 1340kg, like all new Imprezas it's five-star rated for occupant protection in ANCAP crash testing and likewise wins the maximum pedestrian rating.

Unlike the class defining Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, the Impreza has Vehicle Dynamics Control (Soob's Electronic Stability program) as standard to supplement the marque's trademark constant all-wheel-drive.

Even as the professed stripper version, the steel-wheeled R is bountifully equipped. Apparently, I've not been the only one to call Subaru wondering if this was indeed the base model.

As to safety, it sets new standards in this class. Measures include ABS with four-wheel discs (ventilated front, solid rear), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist and VDC. Passive devices run to six airbags with double seatbelt pretensioners on the driver's seat, hill start assist and shock absorbing brake and clutch pedals.

If the cabin is hardly redolent of luxury and the driving position some way from ideal, there are creature comforts enough, including MP3/WMA compatible stereo and adequate storage.

If you want alloys and more stuff, the RX model adds a few bits of leather, six-stack CD with 10 speakers, and front fog lights from $26,490.

If you want more stuff still, another two grand on top of that gets you into the RS with its sports seat and body kit, 17s and mesh grille. From there it's an $11k leap to the hero WRX.

All three lesser models share the atmo 2.0 DOHC horizontally-opposed four potter, good for 110kW at 6400rpm and 196Nm at 3200rpm, so more dough doesn't mean more go.

While progress is respectable rather than rapid with not a lot happening under 3000 revs, it is pretty much class competitive and leagues of magnitude better than the wheezy single cam item of yore. It even sounds pleasantly raspy.

“Pleasant” indeed is the most just for the R car.

While affording the AWD grip and assurance you'd expect from even a base model wearing an Impreza badge, the suspension is tuned in a way to absorb potholes rather than batter through them.

Ride quality is a highlight, though there's just enough spice in the mix to make for a fun drive as long as the fairly close ratio five-speed gearbox is rowed with some vigour.

But that rules out approximating Soob's claimed 8.9-litre per 100km combined fuel consumption figure. Just shy of 500km of city and extra urban driving netted us 9.8.

The Impreza prefers 95 RON in its 60-litre tank.

That's why five gears, as opposed to a more contemporary six, is one too short. At the state's legal maximum speed, the R is buzzing fairly frenetically at upwards of 3000rpm in top gear.

Of course, the comparably priced Toyota and Mazda also run a cog short of contemporary, but the R is a better bet than both and not just in terms of safety, in which respect daylight separates them from the Soob.

There's more to even the base Impreza model than this (vital) aspect,though.

The new gen is a more practical people and load carrier than the old model and a friendlier daily drive. But it doesn't forsake the virtues that have made Subaru a greater success per capita than any other major market.

If it's far from sick, the R feels at least a bit off colour.