Covering 44 000km in eight months behind the wheel of the “entry-level” Subaru Impreza 2.0 GX sedan has been an amazing experience, while the single biggest surprise has been the economy of use.
To date fuel consumption has ranged from 8,2 litres per 100km to 12 litres per 100km, achieved after a brisk return from a Mpumalanga business trip, while my average usage is 8,94 litres per 100km. That is less than or equal to many of my colleagues’ 1 600cc and 1 800cc vehicles, and within a litre per 100km of my previous 1 600cc car.
Servicing has been a pleasant surprise as well, across two dealers. Intervals are pegged 12 500km apart, and being a pre-maintenance plan vehicle, have cost R1 700 to date, averaging out at R3,85 a kilometre. (New Subarus come with a three year/63 000km maintenance plan.) No additional work has been required, other than that laid down in the service schedule.
Tyre life is excellent, with negligible wear on the Michelin Energy 195/60R15-inchers, which are fitted as standard and expect to exceed 70 000km on the set. No tyre rotation was required, as the all-wheel drive applies forces equally to each corner.
One tyre was replaced after running over road debris at 10 631km. This incident demonstrated the benefits of the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Barrelling down the N1 through Pretoria, I took the freeway loop at a “reasonable” speed and detected a grinding noise as I leaned heavily into the corner.
Pulling over, I was dismayed to find a flat left rear tyre. I never felt the tyre deflate, nor did the car behave any differently.
Driving conditions have ranged from the daily grind of traffic jams, inter-city freeway commuting, long country trips on secondary roads, a fair bit of dirt-road driving and some awful farm roads. There are no rattles whatsoever, leaving one with an impression of excellent build quality. Also noticeable is the fact that I have not needed any wheel alignment after driving over many “traffic calming devices” — the car tracks straight and true, further adding to my perception of strength.
Stopping the beast is no problem, with ABS rear disc brakes and front ventilated discs although, like most systems, it can be fooled when braking on uneven or loose gravel surfaces. Slamming on brakes brings the car to a quick stop in a straight and true line, without any undue or alarming slewing or pitching.
The cabin has a solid feel, is quiet, with a hint of the guttural growl from the trademark Subaru horizontally opposed motor, which in normally aspirated mode is rated at 92kW at 5 600rpm. Torque is 184Nm at 3 600rpm, which enables the large saloon to take off with alacrity (minus wheelspin, of course), and settle into a comfortable cruising speed.
Standard equipment is reasonable, given the purchase price of R189 900. A driver’s height-adjustable seat and steering column allows short and tall drivers to find a perfectly comfortable driving position, while the leather-covered Momo sports steering wheel reminds one this is a special car with motor sport history coursing through its veins, while an efficient climate-control system keeps things cool in the cabin.
A nice touch is the paddle-operated speed control, the paddle mounted behind the steering wheel (Ã la formula one), and has proven its ability to hold the car at the desired speed. A nice touch is the fitment of a tiny sun visor above the rear-view mirror, to fill that annoying gap that the sun always seems to shine through.
A radio/CD player, twin front air bags, a handy storage console between the two-tone cloth covered seats, as well as remote levers for opening the boot and petrol flap, electrically powered windows and exterior mirrors complete the main features of the Impreza 2.0 GX.
The full-sized, steel-rimmed spare wheel causes a protrusion in the boot, but it is more than ample to accommodate the needs of a family of five for a week away from home, with room to spare.
The headlights are excellent, providing brilliant illumination, with standard driving lights mounted lower on either side of the air intake and rear fog lamps are incorporated into the stylish rear light cluster. A delta shaped rear wing with high-level brake light sits atop the boot lid. Flared wheel arches, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and exterior mirrors complete the package.
Any person on a car allowance scheme, or an open-minded fleet manager looking for a completely different car to use for day-to-day business, can comfortably consider the Subaru Impreza 2.0 GX sedan or Sportwagon in his or her purchasing decision as a safe, economical and durable vehicle.