√2023 Subaru Impreza confirmed for Australia next year

The new Subaru Impreza is less than 12 months away from Australia, following its Crosstrek small SUV twin into showrooms.

The next-generation 2023 Subaru Impreza is due in Australian showrooms before the end of next year, the local distributor has confirmed to Drive.

Due sometime in 2023 – pending any further delays – the new Impreza is set to arrive in Subaru showrooms up to about nine months later than its SUV sibling, the Crosstrek (formerly the XV), due in early 2023.

Revealed last month, the new Impreza introduces a sharper exterior appearance, upgraded interior technology, and improved safety – but draped over a revised version of the existing chassis, with carry-over engines from the outgoing Impreza and XV.

The new model is a five-door hatchback only in the US; it remains to be seen if a new four-door sedan body style is developed for international markets.

Full details on the US-market version of the new model are available here; highlights include 18-inch wheels, LED lights, an 11.6-inch centre touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power driver’s seat, 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo, sunroof, and a suite of advanced safety technology.

The model grade structure for Australia remains a while away from confirmation, however in the US the new Impreza revives the RS moniker last applied to the third-generation range in 2011, with sporty exterior and interior trim.

Powering US models is a 113kW/197Nm 2.0-litre non-turbo flat four-cylinder as standard, or a 136kW/245Nm 2.5-litre non-turbo flat-four in the RS grade – both with continuously-variable automatic transmissions (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

The 2.0-litre engine is a carry-over from the outgoing Impreza, with near-identical outputs – while the 2.5-litre is not a new engine, having been used widely across the global Subaru model range.

Subaru Australia is yet to confirm the local engine line-up, however the 2.0-litre appears a likely baseline, given it’s used in the outgoing Impreza locally – and government documents reveal it will also be available in the new Crosstrek in Australia.

But the 2.5-litre engine is not a sure starter for Australia, as although it is available in the US – and a version of it is offered in the Forester and Outback locally – it is unclear if it has been developed for right-hand drive in the Impreza.

The 2.5-litre motor – known as the FB25D – was available in the outgoing XV in the US, but despite being built in the same factory as Australian cars, was never offered Down Under as it was not engineered for right-hand drive in that vehicle.

It’s unclear if the new Impreza will offer a hybrid option, as is planned for its upcoming Crosstrek sibling – albeit a carry-over 2.0-litre hybrid system from the current XV.

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is due in Australian showrooms sometime next year. Stay tuned to Drive for more news closer to launch.

The post 2023 Subaru Impreza confirmed for Australia next year appeared first on Drive.