The Subaru Impreza has been completely redesigned for the 2017-MY. Available as a sedan or hatchback, the fifth-generation Impreza boasts new sheet metal, an upgraded interior, and enough new technology and safety features to compete with compact class leaders such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, and Ford Focus.

The Impreza continues to stand apart from its classmates with standard all-wheel drive and a flat-four, boxer-style engine. The base 2.0-liter powerplant carries over from the prior generation, now boasting 152 horsepower (hp) (up from 148) and 145 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The engine can be mated to a five-speed stick or a continuously variable transmission.

Fuel efficiency maxes out with the four-door/CVT configuration, which gets a combo score of 32 miles per gallon (mpg) in city and highway driving. That’s about average when compared with the competitors listed above, none of which own the Impreza’s four-wheel bragging rights.

The new car rides atop Subaru’s new Global platform, which claims improved rigidity and a lower center of gravity. It is nearly 1.75 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and half an inch lower than the 2016 model.

Paired with aggressive new sheet metal, those dimensions lend the 2017 Impreza a distinct look. It starts with the nose and the raked-back windshield, and it’s completed by a high rear end and eye-catching roof rails on some editions.

The new car’s interior is roomy and completely revamped with higher quality materials. The console is anchored by a 6.5- or 8-inch touchscreen, the Impreza’s first.

Opting for the base 2.0i trim gets you 16-inch steel rims, power windows, and a tilt wheel. The CVT is standard on the Premium edition, as are the alloy wheels, heated seats, and roof rails; a sunroof and advanced safety equipment are optional.

The Sport model gets features such as bigger wheels, a retuned suspension with active torque vectoring, and a Harman Kardon stereo. The lineup-topping Limited trim brings all of the creature comforts listed above as well as leather upholstery and a power driver’s seat.

The 2017 Subaru Impreza is available now with a starting MSRP of $18,395. The super-sporty WRX edition carries over from the prior model-year; details on a new WRX and an Impreza hybrid should become available later this year.