The Subaru Impreza has thrilled fans since being launched in 1993 with its frameless windows and 4WD system that has never been seen in its class. The Impreza madness went into fifth gear in 1994 when its cutting edge technology gathered from Subaru's success in the World Rally Championship was brought to the masses via the Impreza WRX. The nickname "Scooby" came from passionate fans and the British Auto Press. Although not a looker, the first Impreza won fans purely based on its handling. No other car could offer such performance and road handling abilities at such affordable prices.

The second Impreza came in 2001 amidst huge disbelieve that Subaru made their best seller a bug eye monster. Peter Stevens (credited for the Mclaren F1 car in 1993) was commissioned to perform a hasty facelift that wasn't particularly successful. The second and last facelift on the second generation led by Alfa Romeo's ex design boss, Andreas Zhepplin, was clearly more a crowd pleaser in the looks department.

You would have thought that the latest Impreza launched would build on the rather cohesive looks of the predecessor but no, it went incredibly south and many did not even know that the hatchback is the third generation Impreza.

Firstly, the Asian and American markets in general do not favour hatchbacks. Second and most important of all, the new Impreza's design was not on either side of the beauty game. For the record, any car must be either beautiful or incredibly ugly to capture buyers' imagination. The latest Impreza 1.5R tested here is worryingly neither.

We pit the new Impreza against the Nissan Latio Sport (known as Tiida elsewhere) with similar engine capacities.

Engine/Performance
Despite their 1.5 litre engines, both cars have completely different characters. The Impreza thrives on revving while the Latio does not. The Impreza is fitted with a rather slow-witted and old-fashioned 4-speed automatic while the Latio has an efficient CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) that works well with the torque-rich engine. In urban settings, the Latio Sport does deliver its goods more promptly with fewer complaints.

Impreza (0) Latio Sport (1)

Ride
The Impreza rides with a level of sophistication that eludes the Latio Sport. The bespoken double wishbones (found mainly in Ferraris and Hondas) at the back end of the Impreza compared to the simple torsion beam on the Latio Sport endows the Impreza with the abilities to erase road bumps while darting through corners with more confidence.

Impreza (1) Latio Sport (1)

Handling
The 4WD system on the Impreza imparts a secure feel on all road conditions. The steering feel on both cars are lightweight with the Subaru being more accurate. The Latio's taller body translates to clumsiness around corners as the body roll is exaggerated.

Impreza (2) Latio Sport (1)

Interior
Amazingly the shorter Latio Sport with a shorter wheelbase provides a tardis-like amount of space. (In other words, its capacity is greater than is suggested by its exterior appearance). The touch-feel quality of both interiors is better left unmentioned as both cars are clearly less well endowed compared to most Continental makes. The Nissan's lack of satellite audio controls on its steering wheel and the Subaru's primitive air-con switches do both cars no favours. Incidentally the Latio Sport comes with an optional sunroof; presumably looking out of the car is definitely more interesting. One could almost sense that Subaru has tried hard at bringing style to its interior; its miles better than the previous Impreza, but still lags behind a Volkswagen Golf. The equally drab interior of the Nissan Latio Sport wins by a whisker with its more usable space.

Impreza (2) Latio Sport (2)

Final Lap...
In tennis matches, there can only be one victor. Things are looking tough in this match-up; it seems like an endless tiebreak in the final set.

Should looks matter more to me, I would opt for the Nissan Latio Sport, hoping that I will not miss the Subaru's superior road handling abilities and ride quality as the Latio Sport will chatter and shiver endlessly over poor road surfaces.

Picking the Subaru Impreza 1.5R would mean having to live with its looks, or lack of.

The newer Subaru Impreza 1.5R would edge out the Nissan Latio Sport with its cultured and honed driving manners. Should you however have a few more dollars, Fridae Auto Club suggests that you consider the Subaru Impreza WRX Sti which the Sti team has clearly demonstrated their talents.

*Picture shown at the top of the page is of the Subaru Impreza Beams edtion; two Subaru Impreza Beams variants are available; 1.5S and the 2.0S. The Beam Edition's vibrant colours are a step above the Impreza 1.5R's dreary looks.

	Nissan Latio Sport Sunroof (A)	Subaru Impreza 1.5R (A)
Engine/Transmission	1,498 cc 4 cylinder 16V Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT) Front Wheel Drive	1,498 cc Horizontally-Opposed, 4-Cylinder, 4-Stroke DOHC 16-valves SPORTSHIFT E-4AT, AWD
Max. output	109 BHP @ 6000rpm	107 BHP @5400rpm
Max. torque	148 NM @ 4500rpm	142 NM @3200rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	12.3 secs	14.8 secs
Top speed	180 km/h	167 km/h
Fuel consumption (combined)	6.9 L/100km	N.A.
CO2 emissions	189 g/km	223 g/km
Dimensions (L x W x H) /Weight	4205 x 1695 x 1535 mm1145 kg	4415 x 1740 x 1475 mm1265 kg
Price with COE*	S$67,500	S$58,388

*Prices quoted are indicative of prices in Singapore. Please contact your local distributor for prices in your country.

The writer is an owner of a Nissan Latio Sport; the Impreza's victory speaks volumes of the engineering depth and efforts from the folks at Subaru.