– Detroit, Michigan

Since the launch of the latest-generation Honda Civic last year, the compact model has proven dominant in terms of of sales success and critical reception. Subaru, meanwhile, has stacked win upon win where its recent crossovers are concerned and is hoping to challenge for a few of those Civic buyers – not to mention the Corolla, Focus, and Sentra buyers – with this excellent new 2017 Impreza.

The Impreza would seem to have everything that the average small car buyer is after – improved fuel economy, a nicer interior, and sharp styling – but with the differentiating factor of all-wheel drive to really bring the message home in cold weather states. We were certainly impressed with the model when we drove it the first time, finding a massively more refined small car than the Impreza that came before it.

In this week’s Why Buy?, we put those conclusions to the more strenuous test of a week-long loan, and lots of time on the battered roads around Detroit. Watch along here as we put this impressive Subaru Impreza through the wringer.

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Subaru Impreza

Engine 2.0-Liter H4
Output 152 Horsepower / 148 Pound-Feet
Transmission CVT
Efficiency 27 City / 35 Highway / 30 Combined
As-Tested Price $23,615
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