Subaru seemed to have something of a mid-life crisis when it last had the opportunity to update its only real success story, the Impreza. The saloon had achieved iconic status through various incarnations based on its World Rally Championship exploits and an enduring rivalry with fellow Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi.
Some of the most celebrated rally drivers of recent times have made their names in Imprezas - Colin McCrae, Petter Solberg - the company had built up a sporting pedigree not to be sniffed at. The mid-life crisis arrived in the form of an Impreza hatchback - the saloon was ditched and Subaru seemed dead set on trying to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.
It is a laudable aim, but Subaru just isn't in a position to follow through on the promise. The styling is relatively conservative and the car does not manage the balance very well between its cooking and high-performance models very well. As long as it is without a current presence in the WRC the company is going to have a hard time cementing this new format in fans' minds.
The Impreza is an easy car to drive and get along with, though - all models get four-wheel drive, which means that you don't have to think automatically of an SUV to get around off the beaten track. There is a pleasing weight to the steering and the driver feels involved in the action. There is plenty of grip too and the Impreza does feel safe and assured.
Refinement is improved on this car - noise from the wind and road has been reduced, and although clear attempts have been made to improve the quality of the interior there are still patches of the dashboard and elsewhere that do let the car down. As is par for a Subaru, however, the car is solidly built and feels like it will stand up against wear and tear.
Of the sensible engines, the 2.0-litre 150bhp unit is the best one until the Impreza gains a much-need diesel, but with the car starting at £15,000 and getting to over twice that for the high-performance models, it is not cheap. The engineering is superb but, unless you live off the beaten track, it is hard to see the benefit over a Focus or Golf.