Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S 2021 Review

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is available in four model grades – 2.0i, 2.0iL, 2.0i Premium and 2.0i-S – with each variant also offered in sedan and hatch bodies.

Our test car is the top-of-the-range 2.0i-S five-door hatch.

This is a hotly-contested segment and the Subaru Impreza, which lines up against rivals such as the Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla, enjoys a unique point of difference with its all-wheel drive architecture.

Styling tweaks, extra equipment and suspension upgrades aiming to improve both ride comfort and agility are at the centre of the recently facelifted Impreza line-up.

The modified grille, front bumper, front fog lights and alloy wheels complete the cosmetic enhancements, while our top-spec 2.0i-S also receives key driver assist features.

Each variant has the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine (115kW/196Nm) mated to a continuously variable transmission which also features Subaru’s SI-DRIVE – a driver-selectable change in engine management modes for sporty or economical running.

These latest upgrades make the Impreza an attractive proposition as they come at very little added cost.

The entry-level 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i sedan is priced at $23,990 plus on-road costs, while our range-topping 2.0i-S hatch on test is $31,490 plus ORCs.

The hatch variant adds $200 over the sedan across the entire line-up.

Subaru is big on offering decent standard inclusions so there’s no real options list to speak of and the entry-level model gets a bag of good tech. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera, all on a 6.5-inch colour infotainment screen.

Climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels complete the ‘interesting’ bits, and the Impreza still maintains its five-star ANCAP safety rating (handed down in 2016) with the help of its full airbag coverage and driver assist systems.

The 2.0i-S receives Subaru’s EyeSight technology which bumps up the safety through the addition of blind spot detection and forward pre-collision warning.

The range-topper’s seats get the premium treatment as well as fog lights with daytime running lights and a bigger 8.0-inch touch-screen.

Warranty has now been pushed out to five years with unlimited kilometres and servicing intervals of 12 months/12,500km with combined costs rated at $1300 for the first three years.

Spend a bit of time in slippery conditions or enjoy a trip to the snow each year and the all-wheel drive underpinnings of the 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S should be more than enticing – especially if you don’t want or need a high-riding SUV.

Like most cars these days, the Impreza is very capable but it’s hardly riveting to drive.

The 115kW engine could do well with a turbocharger bolted to the side of it. For now, in combination with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), it makes more noise than actual pulling power.

To give you an idea, the Impreza’s 0-100km/h time is 10.1 seconds.

The cabin ergonomics and interior space are highlights, and the 2.0i-S wants nothing for connectivity and safety tech.

Indeed, perhaps the most compelling case for why you should buy the top-line Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S is the EyeSight safety suite. It’s hard to go past the blind spot monitoring, front and side view monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and reverse autonomous braking.

Subaru claims a braked towing capacity of 1200kg but that feels a little optimistic with its engine characteristics. That said, it could definitely cope with a light trailer towing a jet ski.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S should find appeal with the buyer chasing practicality, space and all-wheel drive traction without the need for an SUV.

It’s affordable enough for first-time vehicle owners yet plush enough for the older buyer who’s not chasing sporty dynamics.

Snow-goers are an obvious target with plenty of space on offer, particularly with split-folding seats. It enjoys a 345-litre boot which is actually rather roomy for this segment but hardly huge in comparison to ‘old-school’ hatches.

It has three top-tether child anchorage points as well as ISOFIX points on the outer seats so it can happily scoot around as the family run-about.

Further underlining its practical nature, the Impreza also has four USB points in the cabin, bottle holders in all doors and cup holders between the front seats, and, in the cargo area, a retractable blind, tie-down hooks and a light.

The seats are comfortable with plenty of adjustment on hand, and the steering wheel can be moved fore and aft as well as up and down, ensuring the driver ergonomics are bang on.

In fact, it’s particularly good for a Japanese car which, in my experience, have historically forgotten that’s there’s drivers out there over 180cm tall.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S is very dependable, comfortable and safe, but I’d love to see more of an X-factor that gets me pumped about driving it.

Yes, its AWD platform is a strong point of difference over its rivals and is probably enough to just tip me over the line (the racer in me is not the biggest fan of front-wheel drive), but the performance of the engine and gearbox combination leaves it wanting.

I’m not sure if it’s a conscious decision by the Subaru engineers to make the engine feel more responsive but it has a very aggressive throttle rate. Meaning a small percentage of throttle movement is quite a large percentage at the engine so when you drive it, particularly for the first time, it gives a super-responsive impression.

Push through that and once full throttle is achieved it showcases its true form – a bit ho-hum. We can’t utilise the performance it has on Australian roads anyway, so it’s probably not a deal breaker for most.

Driver ergonomics, passenger space and safety tech are definitely redeeming features, and along with increased confidence in slippery conditions the AWD provides, the Impreza 2.0i-S is a solid choice if you’re after a specced-up, good value hatch.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S hatch cost?
Price: $31,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 115kW/196Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

Related: Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L Hatch 2020 Review
Related: 2020 Subaru Impreza pricing and spec announced
Related: Mild updates for 2020 Subaru Impreza

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.