2012 Subaru Impreza Car News and Review

Subaru found itself in an interesting position when the North American auto market imploded back in 2009. While most manufacturers were busily darting around trying to stop their sales from bleeding out, the quirky Japanese automaker actually posted gains in the two market share and earnings during the recession.

It was a dark time for most dealers. Salesmen began eying the fairest compacts on their lot for sacrifice in an endeavor to appease the sales gods that had abandoned them, and showrooms began devolving into tribal law in earnest. Meanwhile, we’re guessing many Subaru dealers watched through gold-rimmed monocles from across the street with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

But what happens when the national financial ship rights itself and social order is restored once again? Will buyers still shun emblems of excess and continue to opt for practical, economy-minded Japanese all-wheel-drive wagons and compacts? If the 2012 Subaru Impreza is whatever indication, the company may be concerned its products aren’t quite mainstream enough to retain conquests acquired through the dark days of ’09. The 2012 Impreza is more comfortable, quieter and offers a more attractive interior than ever before, but those gains come with sacrifices that risk alienating the model’s longtime fans, ourselves included.