The Refreshed 2020 Impreza Finally Gets One Feature That Subaru Owners Really, Really, Really Want

For all of Subaru’s advanced set of features—from its direct-injected Boxer engine to its EyeSight driver assist system most owners lament one thing: the lack of speed-sensing door locks. Well, the seemingly eternal wait is over as this feature’s finally coming to Subaru models starting with the 2020 Impreza.

To be shown at the Singapore Motorshow 2020 first, the revised Impreza gets door locks that lock as the vehicle goes past 20 km/h. Impressive, huh? Yeah, this feature’s been around in other brands for some time, but for long-time Subaru owners? It’s proof that the guys in Japan listen.

If the automatic door locks aren’t enough to tickle your fancy, don’t worry. As previewed by its Japanese market launch last August, the 2020 Impreza does receive a breadth of aesthetic upgrades too. It gets new LED headlights, front grille, front bumper and fog lights, alloy wheels, and color: Magnetite Gray. Inside, de rigueur dash stitching finds its way onto the multi-function display while a new high-gloss paneling surrounds the climate control panel.

For comfort and convenience, the 2020 Impreza adds a whole slew of safety features including a front view monitor, rear seat remind feature which alerts the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle, and a reverse-linked tilt-down passenger side mirror.

Mechanically, the Impreza continues almost unchanged and for that it remains powered by the direct-injected FB20 engine making 154 horsepower and 196 Nm of torque. The sole transmission is the Lineartronic CVT. That said, to give it some pep, it comes with Subaru’s SI-Drive system. This adds two changeable driving modes: Sport and Intelligent. A retuned suspension completes the changes.

For the Singapore market, Subaru’s compact car will be available in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback versions. For the Philippine market, it’s understood Motor Image Pilipinas has plans to add the 5-door hatchback to their roster as well. It’s also understood that the 2020 Impreza will arrive sometime this year, likely at the Manila International Auto Show in April.