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Used 2012 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
94 reviews

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Pros
Cons
4.25 out of 5 stars

One of the bettter vehicles, but not perfect

nyken, 09/21/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
51 of 53 people found this review helpful

I purchased the Impreza Sport Premium two months ago and have put almost 2K miles on it . In general I am very pleased with the Impreza. The styling is far better than for past Impreza models. The interior is roomy and comfortable.Visability is excellent. It drives and handles very well, almost sport like. Gas mileage has been just about what is advertised. I am getting 30 MPG for a mix of highway and city driving. Now all that being said there are a few things about this vehicle that I am not that impressed with. First is the amount of road and tire noise. It is downright loud on some road surfaces. There is also a delay in shifting from reverse to drive.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Oil consumption problem

gailbk, 03/05/2014
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
42 of 44 people found this review helpful

I am experiencing a significant problem with my Subaru Impreza 2012 with excessive use of oil and the oil light going on. I understand from the service people that this is caused by "blowback" past the cylinders, causing excessive oil use, inconvenience to owners, and an inflated cost of ownership (synthetic oil is $8/qt.) Subaru insists this is normal but when I traded in my Lexus at 257,000 miles with never an additional drop of oil between oil changes, I certainly didn't expect to trade it in for an oil guzzler like the Subaru Impreza. Subaru will do nothing and insists this is normal - - at least for them! Any ideas how to pressure Subaru? It was fixed for the 2014 model.

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Oil Consumption

jeanette101, 02/11/2013
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
29 of 30 people found this review helpful

I have had this car since February almost a year. It is using oil and John Howard told me to bring it in every 1000 miles so they can check and add oil if it needs it and document it. My brother also has this car in the hatchback model and it is using oil too. He lives in PA and garage there told him to drive it in anytime it is low on oil so they can add it and document it. Please email me if anyone else is having this problem.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

Very Disappointed

greg1971, 01/10/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful

I purchased my car in February of 2012. Like a lot of other users I noted that my oil usage was terrible. On January 6, 2015 I was in a serious car accident in which I struck the rear end of a truck. My airbags did not deploy and the vehicle immediately caught fire after impact. I am very lucky to be alive, but cannot get any kind of straight answer from Subaru as to why the airbags failed and why a fire started, nor have they expressed any interest in examining the car further.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Big Improvement

bng77, 01/13/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
52 of 57 people found this review helpful

This car is light years ahead of the previous generation Impreza. It looks better, has a much nicer interior, has more room for both passengers and cargo, and handles much better. The 2nd generation CVT is much smoother and more efficient than the old 4 speed automatic transmission it replaces. I just drove it about 60 miles in a snow storm, and even with the lower resistance tires Subaru has switched to, it handled great. I have been averaging 31 MPG in mixed driving which is right where the EPA says it should be. I was able to coax 35 MPG out of my last tank of gas by driving the car more like you would a Prius i.e., easing up on the gas pedal while cruising letting the CVT do its thing.

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4 out of 5 stars

Exactly what you're expecting

iliketoshift, 01/13/2014
updated 07/19/2021
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
29 of 32 people found this review helpful

I think my dates were off by a year 0. The car had it's first real issue at about 105K - o-ring in the AC system failed. Only needed a replacement and recharge. -- at 10 years it's at 111K, burns about a quart of oil per oil change. Needed some work on the rattling heat shields . Used mostly for short trips in town and very local commuting. Also needed a small AC service last summer. Still feels fine. The interior don't show much wear. I don't think it's so useful that edmunds pings you every 6 months to update your review, but whatevs. at the 9 year mark the original owner had an opportunity to pass this car to someone else in the immediate family. however it's still driven by me a few times a month. I think everything I've said holds. it's at 100 K miles and some change and no problems. At 8.5 years, I'll add: The car is just under 100000 miles, and there have been no problems with it at all. Yet, I still dislike this car every day because it's loud on the inside, underpowered, and doesn't have much character. No one wants to drive in my car either, even though the interior is in fine shape. I added a Carplay compatible stereo with backup cam, and it's been a nice addition. I also added LED headlights - the verdict is still out about that. I truly hope I get a different car next year, but that's a tough decision because this Impreza has cost so little to operate. At 5.5 years, here's my honest appraisal. This Impreza is the best AWD appliance vehicle out there. If you want a car that's no frills on the inside, sticks to the road like glue in rain and snow, and gets pretty good millage - this is the car for you. Unfortunately I've come to terms that this vehicle is not for me. I have several ergonomic nits to pick, the drive is pretty lifeless, the engine is adequate, the AC barely keeps up on a 95 degree day, the interior is loud compared to most other vehicles, and the rear defroster barely melts anything but the slightest frost. If you're simply using your car to get groceries, go on a road trip, or drive into the city for a night the Impreza will be fine. If you're a commuter and you don't ever take a few seconds to think about what you're driving, go Impreza! But if you often reflect upon your ride, it will be a disappointment. That's where I am. OTOH, mechanically the car is solid with no failures in 5 years and probably about 34 MPG overall. Because the car excels at the major task it needs to accomplish, I just can't get rid of it. So if you're an average driver who prioritizes AWD hatchback, go for it. But if you think some of the wrx pedigree is going to wear off - or this car is close enough to the refinement and thoughtfulness of a best-in-class-high-trim compact, you should look elsewhere. If you like cars and talk about cars, don't get the Impreza. But if you like cars and someone comes to you for a recommendation of a solid, safe, reliable automobile, have the Impreza on your short list.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Scoobie II

2ndsubie, 03/10/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

I recently purchased a 2012 Subaru Impreza Premium with a 5 speed manual. This is the second Subaru I have owned. I had a 2002 WRX for 10+ years and I was sold on Subaru vehicles ever since. The build quality (100% Japan), reliability, handling and overall performance make these vehicles a "no brainer" in my mind. I did a ton of research prior to selecting my new Impreza. I read numerous reviews both positive and negative. I take what I read on the internet with a "grain of salt." It took some time to locate and test drive an Impreza with a manual transmission. I was sold from the moment I placed the vehicle in 1st gear and hit the accelerator!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Exactly what I was looking for

mountaintundra, 02/12/2013
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

I haven't been this excited about a car since I had a Citroen CX GTi (in England) in 1982! And the amazing part is that it's a fairly basic car that I love. It has leg room and head room that you expect from a bigger car, comfy seats, decent handling, AWD, and awesome gas mileage (35 average in the summer). It's not perfect, but it does everything I want it to do, including starting at -27F without a block heater and going through snow without drama. Very impressive. This is our 4th Subaru. We drove the competition and there is nothing available that I would rather have.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Oil Burner, MPG not as advertised

movingon1, 03/15/2014
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

I bought the hatchback with a manual because I was looking for versatility with good mileage. Functionality wise, I'm happy. I'm 6'2" and the car is comfortable on long road trips and you can fit a surprising amount of stuff in the back, especially with the seats down. Also, the car is amazing in the snow. BUT- as others mentioned, the car has started burning oil at 30,000 miles! Almost 2 quarts between oil changes. Add to that the well known not-as-advertised MPG, and I am thinking about trading it in. I have logged every single tank on Fuelly. In the winter, 22 city, 27 highway. In the summer, 25 city 30 highway. It's rare to do better than 30 on the highway, but I drive 70-75.

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3 out of 5 stars

My experience with my 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport

Loren Rochester, 07/30/2015
updated 02/04/2016
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
25 of 28 people found this review helpful

I was very excited to get this car... good gas mileage and All-Wheel drive seemed like a perfect fit for Wisconsin. I liked everything about the car except three things: 1) The transmission went out at 66,000 miles, 6000 miles out of warranty. The dealership told me it would cost $8500 to replace it with a new one, or they could put a used one in for $4500. I called Subaru Corporate and after three days of investigation, they said it was up to the service manager. I went to the dealership and raised hell. Virtually all of my miles were interstate travel with very little elevation change, no stop and start traffic. After some phone calls, the service manager got the price down to $1500 for a new transmission. I was still mad, but didn't feel I had much choice; $1500 was better than $8500, and I still had to make payments on the vehicle. 2) I was surprised one day when the oil light came on early in my ownership. The car didn't have that many miles on it. The car was, in fact, low on oil. From that point forward, I went through a quart of Mobile 1 0W20 about every 3000 miles. I checked it every time I filled it up. I am over 60, and have never had a car that went through a quart of oil between oil changes. Recommended oil changes were 7000 miles with synthetic oil. The dealership wanted $85 for an oil change. I bought Subaru filters from the dealership for $5-$6, and bought Mobile 1 0W20 from Walmart for about $26 for a 5 quart jug, and changed the oil myself religiously every 7000 miles. I just traded the car in, three years old, and it was going through a quart of oil every 2000 miles. I had this problem when the transmission went out, and talked to the service manager about it. He did not act the least bit surprised. BTW, if you buy quarts of Mobile 1 synthetic, they are about $8 a quart, so this is not paltry change being spent on oil, I obviously bought 5 quart jugs and had them on hand all of the time. 3) For about the last 9-12 months, the car did not start very well. I usually had to crank it for a few seconds, quit, then crank it some more with the gas pedal pressed down, then it would start. The oil thing and the starting thing I have found are common complaints. I traded the Impreza in on a Ford Focus. I put about 33,000 miles on a car per year, and the Impreza had 99,920 miles on it. This is the first time in decades that I got rid of a car with fewer than 170,000-180,000 miles on it. I didn't trust it. I'm not sure that the Focus will be any better, but I got a 4 yr.-100,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on it. I'm sure it won't be as good in the snow, but I can work around that. IMHO opinion, Subaru should have replaced the transmission gratis. Using the 0W20 oil is not a good idea in my opinion. They are doing it to improve gas mileage, but I think it is blowing past the pistons. The Focus uses 5W20. As far as starting difficulties goes, I don't have a clue what the problem is. If they would have taken care of the transmission and they had proven that they had solved the oil thing, I would have considered another Subaru. This was my first, and there seems to be a lot of loyal Subaru owners out there, but I will probably not consider another.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Updated: Four Year Ownership Review

i4collin, 03/25/2014
updated 09/25/2017
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Editing my 2 year review of this vehicle, I've had to lower the rating from 4 stars to 3, mostly due to reliability scares. While proving to be rather comfortable, great in all seasons, decently economical, and safe, after only 35000 miles the vehicle has begun to burn oil at an alarming rate. We are currently waiting for the dealer to do a compression test on the engine to see if they need to replace it. This is the second Subaru in the family that has had engine issues, despite regular oil changes. It is a nice little car, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely need the all-wheel drive. There are much better options in the compact car class nowadays. Update: car sold after numerous issues at 5 years and 53,000 miles

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Big Disappointment

jbv1105, 05/02/2015
updated 05/04/2017
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful

This car, with only 26,000 miles on it, did not live up to my expectations for build quality and reliability. The car burned oil at an alarming rate. One dealer claimed there was nothing wrong, then a second finally agreed there was an issue after the car failed an oil consumption test. They replaced the entire engine under warranty. Also I had an ignition problem, which had to be addressed due to the car not starting. Additionally, the car's battery was defective and had to be replaced. The Bluetooth on this vehicle was terrible, wouldn't connect and the whole radio system had to be replaced. There were unsettling rattles in the dashboard and excessive wind and road noise. The final straw was the climate control system stopped working. I believe this car's issues may be related to the Fukushima Daichi nuclear disaster. The car was produced at a factory not far away from there sometime in 2011 for the 2012 model year. I know many manufacturers had issues with suppliers. Subaru refused to buy the car back, which was a big disappointment, but they gave me a $1500 credit towards a new vehicle. I ended up replacing it with a 2015 Forester 6 speed manual which , with the one exception of a defective battery that was replaced under warranty, has had no issues.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2.13 out of 5 stars

Oil Burner, Sits Too Low

knahs39, 06/23/2014
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful

I bought the 2012 Impreza hatchback new in July 2012. Since about 12,000 miles, I can't go more than 2,500-3,000 miles without needing a quarter of oil. Dealer says that is typical usage but manual says 7,500 miles between changes. The car does not have the pep my 2004 Impreza had and yet, gets the same gas mileage as the 2004. It also sits too low so you hit every curb or concrete parking barrier. I'm looking to get rid of it and based on this, my third Subaru, will never get another Subaru again.

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2 out of 5 stars

I Hate This Car

Stephanie, 05/05/2016
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

I had a used 2005 Subaru Legacy that I LOVED but it died (I put a lot of miles of cars quickly because of my commute.) I thought I'd be replacing it with something of similar quality when I bought the 2012 Subaru Impreza slightly used with 25k miles. I decided to spend the money on a newer car because of this. First of all, I got into a slowww speed fender bender where the front of my car has all kinds of damage and cracks--the other persons car didn't have even a slight dent or scratch. You'd never know their car was hit and they drove away without my info after surveying the damage-- I think it was a Honda. Also, I drove over a small piece of loose metal laying on the highway which I didn't recognize as something solid until it was too late and it tore up my back bumper as it exited. I realize things like this happen but the amount of damage is way out of proportion. Most vehicles I see have a plate in that area to protect the underside. This Subaru back bumper is nothing but curved under, thin, cheap plastic. Second, this thing burns oil. Imagine my surprise when I was something like 4k miles away from the recommended oil change and my oil light came on. Thirdly, I have never gotten anywhere close to the estimated MPG. I drive at constant highway speeds. My legacy got the same, if not better, gas mileage and the engine had a lot more strength. Fourth, at 73k miles the engine is now making a low, stressed whining sound with acceleration. I had my transmission serviced at the recommended 60k miles. But now I'm wondering if it's going out. I am fixing the damage to the front and getting rid of this thing before it falls apart completely.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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4.75 out of 5 stars

Best Subaru Yet!

jcricket, 07/02/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful

This is my third Sooby. It is the most fun. For a car with small dimensions on the outside, it is huge on the inside. I like the ergonomics of the interior - the dash and steering column controls are easy to use; intuitive. Lots of pep, very spirited off the line. With winter tires on (see suggested improvement below) this car can go places my 4x4 pick-up can not go. Good gas mileage too. It started off getting 30 in town and after breaking in for 13,000 miles I get over 40 on highway/country driving trips. This from an AWD! Its a great car to take to the beach or to the mountains with friends. Two of my friends bought Imprezas this year.

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5 out of 5 stars

Traded 2011 Outback Sport (Lemon Law) for 2012 Sport Premium

tornado542, 03/01/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
29 of 34 people found this review helpful

My 2011 Impreza Outback Sport was bought back by Subaru due to 5 suspension issues in the first year of ownership. Subaru gave me all my money back and paid off my loan so I went and bought a 2012 Impreza Sport Premium. This is everything I loved about the OBS, but with a nicer interior, and better MPG!

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3.88 out of 5 stars

good things and frustrating things

Bill Kowalewski-Barrera, 02/18/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful

This is our fourth Subaru. We do like the CVT transmission, quiet enough, and the car is peppy. The gas mileage is just what is published. What bothers me? I don't like the leather seats, too cold in the winter, too stiff. With cloth, you don't need seat warmers. In the 25k miles we've owned it, the fog, tail, and headlight bulbs have burned out, and both front half-shafts and the brakes were replaced. The dash has developed an annoying rattle. And twice a year, we need to take it back to the dealer to get the tpms switched between the summer and snow tires. The dealer has to reprogram it. Still a reasonable car, but not quite up to our Subaru expectations.

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2 out of 5 stars

Burns Lots of Oil and Gas

Kirk Kraemer, 04/20/2016
updated 04/24/2018
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Lawsuit has been settled and Subaru finally agreed that maybe I should not have to add a quart of $8 oil every 2200 miles. Car has about 118,000 miles and has burned oil excessively the entire time (dealer: "it's normal oil burn to go through a quart in as little as 1200 miles). Class action settlement extends warranty for 1 year for cars that are already in excess of 100,000 miles. Specifically traded in my previous Subaru to get the 2012 because of the 37mpg highway on the sticker. I NEVER EVER got over 31 mpg and I drive mostly flat highway with constant speeds. Total BS on the 37mpg. Update as of 5/2017. Car failed oil consumption test and Subaru replaced the engine. No oil lights between oil changes any more. I still can’t break the habit of carrying a couple of quarts of oil with me though. Still gets crappy gas mileage. Never got anywhere NEAR the 37 on the sticker, no matter what the driving conditions were.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4.13 out of 5 stars

The More I Drive It the More I Like It

1stsubaru, 06/10/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I have a base model 5 speed Impreza sedan with over 2500 miles on it, the only options being the all weather mats (which are nice) and a jack for an ipod or something. This is my first Subaru, which I purchased as it's the first Subaru that appears to get decent fuel economy. I've only been in snow a few times, the most being about 5 to 6 inches which presented no problems in spite of the poorly rated tires. Average mileage for mainly stop and go with short highway driving has been 27 mpg to 28 mpg, which seems as rated. I drove sport bikes for over twenty years and don't expect cars that I'm willing to pay for to provide the performance levels that I was accustomed to, so for me cars are just comfortable transportation and the Impreza is fine. The Impreza hp is about the same as a Ford OHV Taurus, the torque about 20 lbs/ft less, we.ve done many road trips in a Taurus with a family of five so I expect the Impreza can do the same.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

worth the wait

sp201200, 02/04/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

search included painful dealer drives from brand a-z,decision went to impreza; for gas mi, all wheel drive, and leg room (6'4" x 230#'s) front/back. drive from dealer2home 180mi, 68mph, avg 39.5 mpg. with all the negatives we read on style points and ride, i feel the quality of ride and performance for a sedan (limited w/o bells/whstles) price 21.5K. i did feel the intial leg work was worth it. went online and found the process painless in finding a dealer that would find the car that met our needs, just the limited with leather w/o elctronic bells/whtls. the interior will fit 4adults w/luggage. the 2nd choice was the legacy. it is our first subaru

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Excellent value, wish there were more luxury and safety options

gtp3, 08/02/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Overall I'm happy with this car and it's an excellent value. It's fun to drive, has plenty of space for a small car, and is very practical. But there is also significant room for improvement; I wish there was a way to pay more to get more but Subaru doesn't offer any higher options. When I was shopping for a new car I wanted a small, efficient hatchback, wagon, or SUV with RWD or AWD (I'm sick of FWD cars). Audi A3 and Nissan Juke don't have enough driver head room. Toyota Matrix is totally outdated and just lame. Mini Countryman is unreliable and ugly. So that left the Impreza as the only remaining option. (I would have preferred a BMW 1-series hatchback but they're not sold in USA.)

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Overall good car but issues with tires, oil light

thebeann, 09/22/2014
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful

I bought a 2012 Subaru Impreza sport (wagon) new. Loved the cargo room (I have 2 60-lb dogs) and nice, smooth ride. Gas mileage is decent, I travel VA to MI every month and it helps. However, right from the get-go I had issues with one of the Yokahama tires. TPS kept coming on and pressure was definitely going down. Dealer said "tire issue, can't help" while tire place said "dealer issue." Finally had to replace all 4 at 10,000 miles. The other issue is oil level light coming on (started at around 30,000 miles). Known issue with this make/model on excessive oil issue (google it, there is a lawsuit). Overall I am 75% satisfied but the other 25% make for disappointment.

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1 out of 5 stars

Bad Engine/ CVT

Mark webster, 07/17/2016
updated 01/20/2017
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful

It's a o.k. car, wouldn't buy another. Problems with the boxer engine, burns oil. Transmission is weird, brakes when coasting down hill. Outside of car easy to dent, thin metal. Very loud when driving, turn up the tunes. Just had a wheel bearing and the front brakes replaced, cost about $900, so repairs are not cheap. What I do like is that the seats are easy on the back, corners well, and good speakers.Burns lots of oil, more on a long trip.

Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Subaru's half baked effort

Jack, 04/23/2017
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

After owning the vehicle for 5 years and putting 10K miles (weekend/beach car) I have mixed feelings about the vehicle (I've owned over 30 vehicles in the past thirty years). Consumer Reports voted it higher than Mazda 3 and there was lots of hype around the new Impreza that year. THE BAD: low to the ground for an AWD (a handicap when at the beach or camping), noisy and coarse sounding engine, exposed electrical wires in the engine bay (not very neat), no engine sound deadening panel under the hood, slow in first and second gear, hard shifting 5 speed transmission, huge windshield absorbing lots of sun (thus heat), fabric on seats (very thin material) that collects dog hair (and it won't release it), noisy climate fan, no temperature or fuel gauge (light and digital read out only), questionable paint quality, delicate exterior body parts, roughly 8 fl. oz. oil consumption per 1,200 miles (acceptable according to Subaru). THE GOOD: nice looking, nice suspension, good visibility, great resale value, happy with the dealer, glad it is out of our garage.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3.88 out of 5 stars

Good company, fun car, but maybe not for 75-80 MPH driving or long commutes

cbtx01, 04/27/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Bought my Impreza in Sept of 2012. has been a good car, great on rain slick texas roads. CVT gave out at 80k miles, Subaru assisted with most of cost to replace. I recommend the company, but maybe not impreza CVT, which is not the same CVT as Legacy and Forrester according to what I have read.

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5 out of 5 stars

Amazing car

lovemyswagaru, 05/23/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I must say that I am unbelievably pleased with my purchase. I have over 3600 miles on my Impreza now, and about to get my first oil change. The gas mileage going 70mph from Virginia beach through the WV moutains was 35MPG, not far from the EPA estimate. The car handles extremely well, and I never felt insecure even in torrential downpours. I could never ask for better brakes. Nothing feels cheap, the interior parts and pieces fit perfectly, and best of all there is absolutely no rattles. The only issue I have with this car, is that the stereo was far under par. But this issue was fixed with a new headunit. Even with the upgraded stock unit, it sounded horrible at any volume over 20.

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2 out of 5 stars

Loved it at First, Then........

Joe Botelho, 07/31/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 25 people found this review helpful

I was looking for small, all wheel drive car, specifically a hatchback, that would accommodate my 6 foot frame comfortably and the Impreza Sport Premium fit the bill nicely. The car is fun to drive, has as much pep as I'm ever going to need on the windy roads of New England and was very serviceable in the rain and snow. I never had an issue with the car, but did have to replace the standard issue tires at only 21,000 miles. Also at that time the front driver seat seemed to wear more than I would consider normal and I probably should have paid attention to that. The car now has 43,000 miles on it and one day the horn just stopped working. Also, there is a massive hole in the front drivers seat with protruding metal and plastic parts which have already ruined two aftermarket seat covers. I never owned a vehicle where the front seat was essentially useless after 40,000 miles?? Recently, I was passing the dealership where I bought the vehicle, and stopped in to see if there was a recall regarding the front seat. Oddly, all the service rep kept saying was "Do you have an appointment?" He repeated that 5 times, when I finally suggested that I am a human being, not a robot. After the whole disinterested event where they pretty much told me "tough luck and seeya later" I decided to take my car to another dealership to get the horn fixed. And I thought it couldn't get any worse. I called the other dealership, got an "appointment" a few days later for them to check out the horn. While he was writing up the service order he explained that they also offer a "complimentary" car wash, which I declined as I wash my own vehicle. While I was at the service desk, I also mentioned that I felt my front seat was falling apart prematurely and if they would check it out......, and was totally ignored. To add insult to injury, after they checked out my car they said it needed a new "steering roll connector" to the tune of $415.00!! For a horn! I declined the their generous offer and they still charged me $55.00 to check it out. I should have taken them up on the "complimentary" car wash. And just when you think it couldn't get any worse? As I am walking out to my car, I noticed a huge scrape on the corner of the front bumper. I went back in tell them about it and they suggested It was already there and that I was lying!!! I had taken a picture of the car earlier in the day to document my seat issues so I pulled out my camera phone and showed them a picture I had taken hours earlier with no scrape. They still suggested I was making it up!! I have never been more humiliated in my life! I loved this car at first but between its quality and support of its service outlets I will move on to another brand.....soon.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Beware of 2012 Impreza 2.0i (Base) CVT

tpyne377, 02/10/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
32 of 41 people found this review helpful

PLEASE BE AWARE -- The CVT Automatic transmission in the Impreza 2.0i base model is NOT the same as that available in the rest of the line. It does NOT have the up/down shift function on the steering wheel. Even though it lists this version of the transmission as "CVT Auto Transmission with Manual Shift" on the order form and on the window sticker -- there is nothing "manual" about it. DO NOT BE FOOLED INTO ORDERING THIS LIKE I DID. (No 2012 Imprezas were available for test driving at the time.) There is still nothing that notes this in ANY of Subaru's online website nor in any independent review that I can find.

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2 out of 5 stars

Oil Consumption

csl12, 01/03/2014
updated 07/05/2016
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Update on previous review (see below). It took over 2 years but Subaru finally agreed the car was burning oil. They replaced the engine block. Since then it has burned less oil, but still does consume more than I would expect. Still occasionally get other warning lights/sensors that have to be checked. We've put far too much time and effort into a 4 year old car with only 35,000 miles than we should. A real disappointment from Subaru. As I said in my earlier review, my 2010 Forester has been AWESOME!!!! I've only had to do normal maintenance on that vehicle (fluids, filters, brakes, tires). Subaru got it right on that car!!!! We bought the 2012 Impreza after our 2004 was totaled. We also own a Forester and have owned 3 others. We have had check engine, oil pressure, and low oil warnings 7 times in two years. In particular, we've had low oil 5 times within the past 7 months and only 7,000 miles. The car is definitely burning oil. Dealer agrees it's burning oil and is not leaking. It doesn't leak "enough" and is considered to be "normal" by the service manager. As a 25 year Subie owner, I am EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED in the vehicle and Subaru's inaction. I doubt we'll be another Subie- but I do LOVE my 2010 Forester (before the engine change!!!)

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

The worst vehicle that I have ever owned

Bill, 08/28/2017
updated 03/12/2018
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

I have owned 10 New Subarus. My 1992 and 1993 Legacy were the best vehicles that I have ever owned, 35 miles per gallon on the road, never never burned oil, And no major repairs in 250,000 miles. Since then they have become junk. My Impreza, purchased new , has burned oil since new. The driver seat is crippling and cannot be fixed. It was involved in 2 serious accidents in which the airbags failed to deploy. The best mileage I have ever had was 24 miles per gallon Highway. Both the dealers and Subaru customer service have failed to stand behind their product. After dozens of complaints right up to Subaru and numerous oil burning tests, they keep telling me that this is "normal". Keep away from. this vehicle. update.....I found out that the company was required to replace the engine as the result of a class action suit. Upon notifying Subaru they replaced the short block. I drove it for 5,000 miles and it did not burn a drop of oil. I sold the car anyway. I should not have had to go through what I did.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Great AWD, some annoying weaknesses

hughk4, 03/05/2014
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Bought this because I needed AWD, but didn't want a truck or an SUV. When conditions make AWD necessary, I love this car. Other times I like it a lot, but there are several things that keep me from loving it. See my suggested improvements for these comments. If you need AWD, this car has very few competitors in its price range. Of the 4 cars I own, when weather is bad, everyone wants to drive the Impreza.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

First Brand New Car

darkblash, 03/14/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 26 people found this review helpful

Buying a Brand New car is never an excellent value. However, Subaru is not only well know for their exceptional reliability, saftey, and customer loyalty, they are also one of the top brands listed for resale value. When comparing the 2012 impreza on paper to its closest competitors it is not definitively going to jump off the page as the best choice in the segment. That is dependent on what your needs are; if you live in the snow belt, and are interested in upgrading or trading the car 5-10 years down the road, the impreza is a great choice. Many complain about the MPG not reaching 36mpg hwy.

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4 out of 5 stars

Sweet HB

kanjii, 01/13/2012
updated 03/12/2021
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
19 of 25 people found this review helpful

Loved the car when I first test drove it with the CVT tranny, but wanted the 5 speed manual. Very happy with the decision. I love the secure feel of AWD and the car is roomy inside. Stereo was OK when listening to the stations, but much better sounds from CDs and MP3. Exterior is beautiful and the rims are awesome. Engine is good, not a racy type of engine at all. Throttle response is slow, but still fun to drive, especially around curves. The Yokohama tires hold the dry pavement great, but will know soon about the wet and snow. Update 3/12/2021: It's been almost 10 years now since I purchased it on Xmas eve 2011. Overall it's still a fun car to drive. Haven't had any bad problems except oil consumption, which I immediately let my dealer know. Had the short block changed twice I believe. Currently have 72k on her and had the yellow oil light come on once in the past 30k on new block. Currently on an oil consumption test again. But that's the only problem with this Impreza. Paint and metal of the car is weak and soft, and 1st to 2nd gear is bad, but handling is great. Adding a rear spoiler made this one hot looking Subie and swapping out the rear sway bar for a STi one made it more fun to drive.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

A car built to last until the warranty expires.

WhereHaveTheManualsGone?, 06/12/2021
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

For those who don't know, Subaru is a subsidiary company of parent Company: Fuji Heavy Industries. So while Subaru promotes itself as a clean, environmentally friendly company, they're just as bad as the rest. We'll get into that in a moment. I am driving a 2012 Impreza Wagon with the CVT transmission, and it currently has around 104k miles. The interior is fairly bland, but it seems to have help up well over the last 10 years. I appreciate the simplicity of the interior, especially compared to most modern cars with overly-complicated infotainment systems. Having a normal tuner-dial for changing radio stations, and normal HVAC controls is fantastic If you've driven any mid-range car with a semi-modern infotainment system, I'm sure you'd understand this. For it's small size, it does a pretty good job at giving both front and rear passengers plenty of room, and decently comfortable seats. It was an overall good car, but... Subaru seems to think CVT transmissions are the way of the future, but this idea should be reconsidered. Almost every single CVT Impreza will have a transmission failure between 90-115k miles. My car is no exception. Right around 103k miles, my gauge cluster lit up like the northern lights, except it was just a bunch of warning lights, including a flashing "AT Temp" light. An independent repair facility did a diagnosis of the car, and said it would need a whole new transmission, costing around $8k installed (Denver, CO). Doing some research, it seems this repair usually costs between $6-9k, depending on local labor rates. But digging a bit deeper, the transmission didn't need to be replaced at all, or even removed from the vehicle. The only thing wrong with the transmission, is a golf-ball sized $80 solenoid on top of the transmission, under an inspection cover, and attached to the valve body. Quoted $8k for something that can be repaired for under $200. And I'm not the only one, this seems to be a common issue. Now back to Subaru's claim of being "environmentally friendly". The $80 solenoid I mentioned before, Subaru will not sell it to you. They don't even have a part number for it. Instead of selling you a tiny electric solenoid, Subaru will only sell you an $800 valve body, weighing in at ~20lbs, and made completely of aluminum. They won't even offer to "rebuild" the valve body inside your car, they will only replace it with a brand new one at a cost of $1,200-2,000. This is a common practice in the German auto industry, but this is the first time I've seen something this dimwitted within the lower-end Japanese auto industry. When Subaru could offer up these small parts and save the waste, they intentionally force you to discard 20lbs of aluminum for a 3oz part. How "green" of you, Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries). But luckily for those of us who experience these transmission issues, there are third-party sellers offering aftermarket replacement solenoids on marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. It's impossible to know the quality or longevity of these parts, since they are no OEM parts. But they do turn a $2k repair bill into a couple crisp-Benjamins. If you're willing to get your hands dirty, shed a little blood, and have some basic tools laying around, this seems to be the best option at the moment. Disregarding some mistakes I made during the repair, it took me about 6-hours to fix. It's not a particularly enjoyable experience, but avoiding a $2k repair bill makes up for it. I'll be listing my car for sale soon, or hopefully trade it for something with a stick-shift transmission. Anybody looking for this car in particular, I'd suggest you do the same.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

I love my Impreza

impreza2012, 06/28/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Since I don't believe all they hype in hybrids (i.e. what do you do when the battery dies and you need a new one (A $4k cost) or how do you recycle it?) This is the best normally aspirated engine out there. Yes - I know the Hyundai models are getting 40MPG - but I alternate driving the Impreza vs. my Father-In-Laws Veloster and my Impreza returns better mileage and more acceleration and better handling.

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2 out of 5 stars

More Daewoo than Subaru

stillyourking, 02/25/2014
updated 08/29/2016
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

As an owner of a '12 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Premium, I wouldn't recommend the purchase of this car. The quality is far less than that of the '08 - '11 Impreza. The engine is loud, and has intense vibration, weatherproofing is shoddy, road noise/wind interferes with conversation at low speeds, interior materials rattle, and scratch easily. The seat fabric has folded in some parts, and became unwoven in others, the driver seat squeaks when your body shifts (only 165 lbs). Seats are uncomfortable on long trips (my Pontiac Vibe had more comfortable and supportive seats). Gets a combined 28 MPG (rated as 27/36 MPG). It's 25 MPG in the winter.

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Could have been great.

jaymian, 08/26/2019
2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

It has been 7 years already and my WRX looks almost as good as new. It is a sharp looking car as long as you baby it. The metal is very thin and the car easily gets dinged. It is also very likely to rust. After just a few winters, the WRX was as rusty as a 7 year old Toyota Corolla. So this car is not really suitable for MN winters. I have since stopped driving the car in winter and it half defeats the purpose of owning it. I have considered selling it, but it is almost too pretty to let go. The back seats can be dropped for full access to the trunk. Great for cargo space, but it adds a rattle at the seat latch. The car in general has a cheap feel and, compared again to the Toyota Corolla, feels flimsy and has a lot of rattles and vibrations while driving down the road. Recalls have been far too frequent. The last two years I have had to go in for 2 recalls each year. And finally, there is a class action lawsuit against Subaru for engine issues. Apparently oil starvation occurs and the engine can blow. So if you drive the car as it was meant to be driven, you may want to have some spare engines in stock. If you are gentle with the car, it may rust and fall apart anyways. So if you want the car to last more than 10 years, keep it stored in a climate controlled garage and never drive it. The car is a work of art you really should not drive. It will be my last WRX and most likely Subaru.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2.13 out of 5 stars

made of cheap plastic

neveragain70, 01/04/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Driven 46k. Mtor and drive OK, But burns oil, doesn't delver promise mpg and airbag and track warning lights continual go off and on due to poor engineering and sensor designs. Particularly digusting is fact that the outer body is made of thin cheap plastic with parts held on without screws. As such fog light covers are continually failing off and the body parts break with even gentle contact. I have been driving for 40 plus years and I have never seen such poor quality.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Did NOT let me down!

tbuchanan, 02/21/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful

I owned a 1999 Subaru Impreza and loved everything about it until it died. I just (less than a week ago) leased a 2012 Subaru Impreza Hatchback, the 5-speed. Being a lover of the stick shift I was pleasantly surprised. My last stick shift could barely make it up a specific hill in 3rd gear and let me tell you this impreza cruized on up in 5th gear - at 6mph none the less! Some claim the interior is less than perfect, but come on when has Subaru been on the leading edge of sync technology or anything like that. If you are driving a subaru it is becuase of the AWD and reliability. So far I love it, but then it has only been 3 days. I will post an update in a few weeks/months!

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5 out of 5 stars

My First Brand New Car

jaycab, 02/03/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 19 people found this review helpful

Did not regret my decision on my purchase. Love my Subaru especially in Ohio. Awesome to be one of the first owners in this head turner. The only thing that bothers me is the MPG. I have been only averaging 28 MPG in the last 400 miles the car ran so far. And the drive is mostly highway. But other than that it is still worth every $$.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

AWD at its best

nev1998, 12/22/2011
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited PZEV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
43 of 64 people found this review helpful

Drove all the 2wd competitors and even a 35k A3 Quattro and hands Dow the Impreza was top in all things. Yes the A3 had slightly better pickup but this car just handled so much better. This thing is on rails. For anybody looking for a small hatchback this can't be beat and is well worth a look.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great driving car & great MPG with AWD

sealcove1970, 06/29/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have not had the car for too long, but so far I am really pleased with it. I enjoy the ride, I like how the CVT feels, it is very comfortable for me (I am 6' 4"), and so far I am getting great mileage (averaging between 36 & 39 for mostly 40-55mph driving with light traffic and stops). I can't explain the poor mileage some report, unless it has to do with city driving and driving style. I purchased mine after getting to know two others purchased by fiends last winter, and they both report mid-30's or better for MPG. I gave it a five for reliability, but it is obviously too soon to know that. Hopeful!

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3.88 out of 5 stars

2012 Impreza Sport

dead_duck, 05/06/2013
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good car. This is my first NEW CAR so I was looking for it to be perfect. There are a few things that you can not get a feel for when you test drive or search online. Like the fact that being a taller person, it takes a bit of a drive to realize your comfort level would be better with 3 more inches of track on the seat. Also, MPG are NEVER as advertised.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

A great car, for the most part

nkrish, 07/30/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

When I initially got the car, it was winter and I did get some not-so-impressive mileage ratings which made me think I had made a bad decision, since mpg was one of the biggest factors for buying this vehicle. But it got better in a few months after getting it - either because the engine was broken in, or because it is summer now. I am happier now than I was then. Some minor issues prevent me from giving it an awesome rating.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Mountain moma

noku, 04/17/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful

I have had the marine blue Impreza sport limited with moonroof for 10 days. We have a cabin in the NC mountains and drove up there for the first time last weekend. This car is a blast to drive. I used the paddle-shifters on the CVT to precisely control the power up and down the twisting mountain roads. The car performed beautifully...power when needed, engine-braking when required....excellent overall control. I was leery of the CVT but went with it for mpg....glad I did. The car is very well-built..bodes well for reliabilty...this is my first Subaru but friends tell me they're bullet-proof. It is good-looking too....IMHO much better than the overstyled Hundai/Ford offerings

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Consumer Reports Nailed It

cherryfan, 04/11/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful

Have owned this car for two months now, just over 2,000 miles on it. Has the winter/alloy wheel/moonroof package. Test-drove the Impreza v. Ford Focus and Fiesta and Hyundai Elantra, and Impreza was favorite by far. Handles well overall, was most solid and reassuring, smoothest transmission (CVT v. others' automatics is no contest), roomy comfortable interior. Edmunds doesn't like the styling, but I l do, and prefer it to the Focus (which I also own). Engine is plenty powerful and mpg is fine; on 270-mile trip from Denver to Avon, CO, over two mountain passes of at least 10,600 feet and at 70 mph most of the way, averaged 34.5 mpg. Seats are comfortable, visibility is top of class.

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3 out of 5 stars

Snow slaying machine with a pathetic interior

Jesse Nicola, 12/10/2015
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful

This is my first Subaru, and quite possibly my last. The issues have been plentiful. The interior rattles to high hell. I had to go to two dealers as the first tried to bamboozle me like it wasn't an issue. Internal fan was failing and the bearing was making more noise than a duck on meth, which the dealer claimed was normal. Seat heaters stop working, dealer claims that's a safety feature... my butt. Sensors in seat to detect if a passenger is in there FAIL when exposed to water. YOU SOLD THE CAR IN THE PACIFIC NORTWHEST WHERE IT RAINS YOU DUMB *&%$#! Not only does it fail... but it fails with the AIRBAG OFF! DANGER WILL ROBINSON! Power? Gutless. Takes off from a stop like a two stroke dirtbike, abuse the clutch or don't get going at all. Uphill stop and go traffic? Burn baby burn... WHY ISN'T THEREA A SIXTH GEAR! Spins 3000 rpm at highways speeds. I've not once hit the combined MPG. I drove it across the country, and even in the flattest parts of the country, with NO ROOF RACKS OR ACCESSORIES, car already warmed up, driving a full tank on cruise control... 31mpg. &#$#% Subaru. I wish some one else made a solid AWD car or I'd never sell this off, even at a loss, and never look back.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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3.75 out of 5 stars

Not Your Father's Impreza

lowkey, 04/10/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 26 people found this review helpful

I gave my 2009 Impreza Outback Sport to my college daughter as a replacement. I thought I would go out and replace it with a new one and get the same performance and ride. Wrong. This car travels from the foothills to Denver in winter snow conditions. I don't even recognize it as a reliable snow performer Subaru is noted for. I have 3,700 miles on the Premium Sport and here's my experience. (1) The traction loss fault light flickers frequently in snow and unstable when crossing over 3 or 4 inch snow build up. It gets my heart pumping. (2) Bad manners in cross winds. After 800 miles I was exhausted. (3) The 2.0, CVT, struggles climbing grades at 8,000 ft. I have to put it in 3rd manual mode.

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2 out of 5 stars

Oil burner

fredjohnson, 03/02/2014
updated 09/10/2020
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

My 2012 Impreza is beginning to really bother me. 25k miles on it and it burns 2 qts of oil every 3k miles now. Yes, the CVT is noisy as can be, but I knew that when I bought it. In winter, my highway gas mileage does drop to 27 mpg which is almost 10 mpg lower than EPA sticker. Overall, I'm dissatisfied with the car, especially after finding out Subaru won't do much to help with the oil consumption other than to say its "normal". And to that I say BS. Never had a Toyota or Honda---I've owned 8 new ones--- burn oil. Update: 60k on odometer now. Still burns same amount of oil. Will stay away from future Subarus because of excessive oil burn. Subaru won't back up their product which adds to dissatisfaction. Otherwise, car is reliable. Mpg no change. Still below stated number in window sticker. Engine still noisy, especially in winter. Anemic acceleration from 0 to 60. Update: 70k on odometer. All same issues. Oil burn rate about the same. Will likely trade it for a new Honda Ridgeline Black Edition pickup in 2018 or a new Honda CRV since we've owned 3 of those already. Update: 80K on odometer. No change in engine oil burn rate. Body metal seems too thin, dents easily, scratches easily. Same for the painted wheels. Had to have them all repainted after going through a car wash because they scratch so easily. Engine still very noisy at acceleration--embarrassingly so. MPG seems to be decreasing somewhat. Winter time in MN and I'm getting around 23 mpg. Will trade car this summer. Update 88k on odometer. Small engine oil leak now. Same oil burn issue. Replaced brakes. Traded it for new 2019 Mazda CX5 Signature 2,5 liter turbo with every option. Got a class action lawsuit settlement letter from a law firm in mail saying Subaru agreed to settle and pay owners. Took 8 years for them. Car gone now, won't buy another Subaru.

Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
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3.63 out of 5 stars

MPG ?

fracker, 03/17/2012
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 17 people found this review helpful

On 2nd tank ,I got 32.2 mpg on a 230 mile trip. My old Honda Civic gets 37+ on the exact same trip and was originally rated at 36 mpg highway like the Impreza. I have no options on my hatcback as I read the weight of the total cruise control package decreases mpg by 22+miles per tank(over 1 mpg). Am puzzled by the car's loss of speed going down hills. I have to gas it to maintain speed where my other vehicles can coast,saving fuel. Strange. Car is good in snow. to get accurate mpg readings it is important to completely fill the tank each time.It takes awhile to get all the air out of this car's tank.

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