Subaru adds front-wheel drive variant to 2023 JDM Impreza

Subaru has always been known for its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that became one of the key factors of its success in rallying, particularly with the WRC Impreza. And for the longest time, the road-going Impreza has its boxer engine always sending power to all four wheels for the global market.

For the 6th-generation model, Subaru has added a front-wheel-drive variant of the Impreza for the Japanese domestic market.

It's not the first time that Subaru is offering a two-wheel-drive version in one of its current all-wheel-drive models, as the Impreza's high-riding twin, the Crosstrek, is also being sold in Japan with a two-wheel-drive version.

Since the Impreza and Crosstrek are sharing the same platform, mechanicals, and even some exterior and interior bits with one another, the front-wheel-drive version of the Impreza is also offered in both the pure ICE and the e-Boxer hybrid engined models.

Hatchbacks like the Impreza still have a unique appeal, and it would really be nice to see how the vehicle would perform with only two driven wheels. But with the ASEAN market largely dominated by crossovers and PPVs, the return of the Impreza in the Philippine market might be a bit of a stretch, and we may have to go to Japan just to get a feel for it.