Is Subaru ditching its Impreza wagon?
Next week, we have a pair of international auto shows on two continents happening at the same time. One in New York and one in Shanghai. And Subaru will be at both.
Before its debut in the Big Apple, last week we got a teaser shot of the forthcoming 2012 Impreza compact sedan. But now the Japanese automaker has released a second teaser, this time of its new XV Concept, above, set for its debut in Shanghai. Subaru says the XV is "a design concept car that defines a new generation of crossover vehicle, blending exceptional SUV practicality with a fashionable form." In layman terms, the Subaru is yet another small utility vehicle in the vein of the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Mitsubishi RVR. But if you put two and two together, the XV may mean the demise of the practical Impreza wagon.
First, in the Japanese market, there’s already a production XV, essentially an Outback version of the Impreza wagon. Second, when the midsize Legacy was last redesigned, Subaru ditched the wagon in favour of the SUV-wannabe Outback version only. And third, based on the proportions of the shot above, the XV Concept is too short to be the next Forester cute-ute, also due soon.
Oh, I also forgot that Subaru’s decision for 2011 to bring back a four-door sedan version of its WRX STi only adds fuel to the fire that an Impreza wagon WRX STi may be going the way of the dodo bird as well.
If all of this comes to fruition, and Subaru does decide to ditch the more practical wagon/hatch version of the Impreza for 2012, how upset will you be?
Or are you quite happy with a replacement that looks for all the world like a Subaru version of the Mitsubishi RVR?
[Source: Subaru]
The teaser shot really looks amazing.. And I hope people would like it this time..
Anyways thanks for the information..
Posted by: ft. lauderdale used cars | April 12, 2011 at 08:35 AM
I am already very upset with Subaru. But maybe I should transfer that upset to the 'dumb' American driving tastes. We are losing practical, fast, nimble, fun-to-drive cars.
I'm a proud owner of a 2007 2.5GTi XT Manual Drive. I improved handling with more aggressive tires and I accept its not so pretty look but the 2010's have much worse handling and are downright truck-like ugly. Whenever companies try to capitulate to all-America, mall transports they lose my support. I don't want an SUV nor a crossover which this purports to be; I want a spirited, practical, outdoor oriented wagon NOT a "Budweiser" for all tastes.
Posted by: enthusiast | April 12, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Oops! Left out that my 2007 2.5GTi XT MT is an Outback.
Posted by: enthusiast | April 12, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Ha! I made a comment about the Legacy/Outback in the last VW post. Subaru really dumbed that car down and catered it to the American market. I even remember reading an article featuring the head car designer, stating that the new Legacy was designed to appeal to "larger" Americans. Although, the new downmarket Americanized Legacy is selling like hotcakes!
Posted by: Ozzy | April 14, 2011 at 09:35 PM
First of all, the Impreza 'wagon' isn't really a wagon at all...
more like a 5 door hatch. And there have been 'Outback' versions of it before, though mainly cosmetic. A 'real' Impreza wagon (to compete with the Golf Wagon) would be cool. The XV? As a mini crossover, I guess that would be okay too....kind of like a cheaper BMW X1. And while we're talking wagons, I wish Ford would bring over the new Focus wagon....the best looking of all the Focus models.
Posted by: Mike Cornell | April 16, 2011 at 11:31 AM
we have subaru 5 doors 2008 hatchback with rally blue. Worked well and practical for all year driving. My wife love it for the winter driving. Our lease end on Aug 2011.
If the 2012 do not come with hatchback, we will look for alternative...GTI or Audi A3.
Also, it better come with min 5 speeds as the current generation imprezza on come with 4 speeds. What a waste of Gas for small car.
Posted by: subaru owner | April 16, 2011 at 04:45 PM
I'm a little confused as to what qualifies as a wagon anymore. Is the Outback not a wagon? What is an Outback of the Impreza wagon? I have a 2002 WRX wagon and absolutely love it. It's time for me to shop for a new car and I'm really dissapointed that Subaru got rid of the Legacy Wagon GT. Even the new generation of Impreza wagon has less space than my 02 wagon, 1745L to the current 1257L with seats folded down. It's really a hatch back now similar to the Golf GTI, Audi A3, Lexus CT200H, all too short to be a wagon. The only real wagons now are the VW Golf wagon, Audi A4, BMW 3 series touring, Cadillac CTV wagon and a Mercedes. Volvo still has the V50 but too bad they got rid of the T5 and it looks like it's going the way of the dodo like the V70. I think it's either the Golf wagon for economical or the Audi A4 / BMW 3 Touring for something a bit more luxurious.
Posted by: Alan | April 19, 2011 at 09:01 PM
Was just reading about the Volvo V60...nice! Any news if that is coming to Canada? It's being sold in the US I believe. Please give us more detail!
Posted by: Alan | April 21, 2011 at 06:46 AM
Just specing the V60 on Volvo's UK website. Wow...choice of 6 engines, countless options both exterior and interior. Why is the North American market so limited? What is the US market so SUV dominated? I don't want a crossover or a CUV or whatever an Outback is supposed to be. Sigh...I just want something like a V60 (preferably R tuned).
Posted by: Alan | April 21, 2011 at 06:57 AM