New 2023 Subaru Impreza to launch in final quarter

Subaru Australia has confirmed the new-generation 2023 Subaru Impreza will launch locally in the fourth quarter of this year.

The company opened up expressions of interest for Aussie buyers in March, saying at the time that the sixth generation of the Japanese brand’s small car was “set to hit the Australian market soon”.

Speaking to carsales at this month’s national launch of the new Subaru Crosstrek small SUV, Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read confirmed the new Impreza would now be launching in the final quarter.

The caveat is that it will only be offered in five-door hatchback form, with the traditional sedan version of the new Impreza culled as part of the generational change.

“We can confirm we are launching next-generation Impreza from quarter four,” said Read.

“We are committed to Impreza and will announce details and specification closer to launch.”

Subaru pulled the covers off the new 2023 Subaru Impreza at the Los Angeles motor show in late 2022, announcing that it had dropped the sedan but would bring back the hot 2.5 RS variant.

Sharing platform and mechanicals with the new Crosstrek, the GenVI Impreza shares styling cues with its more rugged brother, including its hexagonal grille, interlinked headlights and altogether more aggressive look than the outgoing model.

Beneath the skin, the Impreza remains based on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), although the car-maker claims the underpinnings are now 10 per cent stiffer, enhancing safety and handling.

While final specifications for Australia are yet to be revealed, Read said the Impreza would adopt Subaru’s latest EyeSight driver assist safety suite, along with a clever climate control system that focuses on warming (or cooling) the occupied seats within the cabin, improving comfort and efficiency.

The Impreza lands in a shrinking marketplace for traditional passenger cars in Australia.

However, Read said the lack of options were an opportunity for the Subaru brand.

“SUVs have stolen the march on that segment but there is still a decent level of buyer there and there is still a place for that size of car,” he said.

“The Impreza is a good entry level for some people into the brand, as well as for people who want to downsize. There is an opportunity there, especially as the technology evolves.

“It will be a balance on specification and inclusions … you’ve got to remain competitive and we make sure we stay true to what a Subaru buyer wants in that space.

“We don’t want to de-spec anything, it has to remain true Subaru.”

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