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Best New Cars of 2012

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Subaru Impreza
2012 Subaru Impreza sedan left-front view

2012 Subaru Impreza

Photo © Subaru

I've been a long-time fan of the Impreza; its combination of all-wheel-drive and electronic stability control made it one of the safest and most sure-footed cars on the market. Problem is, the old Impreza was a bit of a weirdo, what with its odd styling and powerful-but-thirsty engine. For 2012, the Impreza's gone all mainstream on us, and I for one am glad to see it. The new car is handsome and roomy, with a much more appealing interior and a smaller engine that delivers excellent fuel economy. And yet it retains the best qualities of the old Impreza: All-wheel-drive and a well-designed suspension, which together provide superior handling and outstanding all-weather traction. And the value is unbeatable: Aggressive pricing means that whether you want a cheap, basic car or a top-of-the-line model with leather and navigation, you can get an all-wheel-drive Impreza for about the same price as an ordinary front-wheel-drive car.

Read more: 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i review

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