2012 Subaru Impreza Priced at $17,495

The fully redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza will go on sale this November with the exact same entry price as its predecessor, starting at $17,495, excluding a $750 destination charge.

The starting price gets you the sedan body style with a five-speed manual transmission, a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and, of course, Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system. With the new continuously variable automatic transmission (a $1,000 option) the Impreza achieves an EPA-estimated 27/36 mpg city/highway. The entry-level hatchback body style starts at $17,995.

The 2012 Impreza comes in base, 2.0i Premium, Sport Premium, Limited and Sport Limited trims. The Limited trim is a new addition for 2012.

Hackers Claim to Remotely Unlock, Start Subaru Outback

We've all heard reports of tech-savvy thieves stealing automatic garage door codes to take lawnmowers and bicycles. Apparently, now they want your car, too.

At the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, two security researchers have reportedly demonstrated how they could, using an Android-powered phone, steal password authentication messages to unlock and start the engine of a Subaru Outback crossover. It reportedly took just a few hours for them to break in.

While these researchers might be able to start an Outback, it seems like driving it away could be another matter. The optional remote start system for automatic-transmission Outbacks is available for $359.95, but systems like this require the key to be in the car to put it in gear.

Michael McHale, Subaru's director of corporate communications, wouldn't comment on whether this type of breach is possible, having not observed the claimed hack, but he said an attack like this could affect other brands.

2011 Subaru Forester Video

The Subaru Forester may look at bit dowdy compared with newer crossover competitors, but don’t let its appearance fool you. This utility vehicle is fun to drive and it’s practical, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. Combine that with its stellar reliability scores, and it’s no wonder why this Subaru remains a perennial favorite among the Cars.com editorial staff.

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 Toyota Prius, 2011 Subaru Tribeca, 2011 Smart ForTwo

Join editors Joe Wiesenfelder, Bill Jackson and Joe Bruzek as they discuss three very different vehicles. The most popular hybrid ever, the Toyota Prius, remains alluring, while the editors discuss the merits of the largest Subaru, the Tribeca, and the smallest car on the market, the Smart ForTwo.

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Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Subaru Tribeca

The 2011 Subaru Tribeca is one of the older offerings in the three-row crossover segment, but old doesn’t necessarily mean uncompetitive, according to Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek. The model has aged well, but will the family hauler’s somewhat diminutive size and high asking price inhibit it as a favorite over the likes of the Honda Pilot or even competitors coming from Subaru itself, such as the Outback? Read the full review to find out.

2011 Subaru Tribeca Review

2012 Subaru Impreza Video

The redesigned Subaru Impreza sports appealing exterior and interior styling, according to senior Cars.com editor Joe Wiesenfelder. But probably the most significant advancement is under the hood. Subaru’s new powertrain will go a long way in allaying car shoppers’ fears that all-wheel drive means sacrificing fuel economy. Continue watching the video for more details.

2012 Subaru Impreza: Up Close

I, and everyone I questioned, walked away from the 2012 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback impressed.

More Coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show

The styling is mature without being too conservative, and that goes for the sedan as well as the four-door hatch. With the usual disclaimer that aesthetic reactions are personal, I submit that the Impreza has found a sweet spot, somewhere between the somewhat-bland Chevrolet Cruze and the daring Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. I expect its appeal to be very broad.

2012 Subaru Impreza at 2011 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Suzuki Kizashi, VW Jetta, Mazda3
• Looks like: A stub-nosed compact car
• Drivetrain: 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or CVT
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2011

There is one drawback to putting all-wheel drive in every vehicle you make: You’re never going to be as fuel efficient as the competition. That changes with the 2012 Subaru Impreza. It packs an all-new version of the company’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and upgraded continuously variable automatic transmission that returns an impressive 27/36 mpg city/highway, the most-efficient all-wheel-drive car on the market.

The Impreza also sports a new design. While not as radical as the concept promised, the real thing is still sharper than the model it replaces. The 2012 Impreza needs to be seen in person to appreciate its stubby proportions.

Despite being the same size as the outgoing model, an extended wheelbase adds interior space to the tune of an additional 2 inches of rear legroom. The front windshield is also raked farther forward, so the driver and front passenger get a feeling of more space. Cargo room in both the sedan and hatchback has also improved. The interior now is similar to the larger Legacy and Outback. There are also a number of changes to standard equipment and trim levels, which we break down below, along with more images. No pricing was announced, but we expect it to remain close to the current model’s base price of $17,495.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Subaru Forester

The third-generation Subaru Forester has been on sale for three years now, and the crossover is still fun to drive and comfortable, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. The 2011 Forester offers a well-balanced ride and competent handling. Find out if it still holds up well against the competition.

2011 Subaru Forester Review

36 MPG 2012 Subaru Impreza Will Debut in New York

We thought the biggest news about a redesigned Subaru Impreza would be the updated looks inside and out, which the car sorely needs. However, Subaru announced today that the 2012 compact sedan and hatchback will boast a 36 mpg highway estimate, making it the most efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle of any kind in the U.S.

Subaru says the 2012 Impreza will have a roomier and more refined interior, also sorely needed.

Full details about the engine, and more images, will be released at the New York auto show starting April 19.