Subaru has become the first automotive company in Australia to achieve maximum independent safety ratings for its entire range of local specification vehicles. Recent testing conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has seen the new generation Impreza awarded a five star rating for occupant safety.

The Impreza now joins Subaru's the constant All-Wheel Drive Forester, Liberty, Outback and Tribeca to have achieved ANCAP's highest possible star rating.Impreza has also achieved the top four-star pedestrian rating, making it the first locally tested car to achieve the maximum double star rating and only the second car worldwide.

Subaru is offering four new gen Imprezas: R, RX, RS, plus the turbocharged WRX manual.The release of the Impreza results is big news for vehicle safety in Australia, and really throws down the gauntlet to the other manufacturers to lift their game or get left behind. Subaru have effectively proved that a manufacturer can design a vehicle for both safety and performance.

Not only is this the result a big positive for vehicle safety in Australia, but it is also a big result for Subaru, and potentially a significant competitive advantage, as highlighted by Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia.

"This is a watershed car for Subaru.

"Five-star occupant safety, four-star pedestrian safety, VDC, or electronic stability control across the range; it meets all European STEP 4 emission standards, it has a much larger interior, including a massive lift in legroom and it’s lighter, yet stronger.

"This is the car that forever will re-define and shape the small car class.

"This is the car that tells all competitors: don’t come to the table unless you tick all these boxes.

"All of this in a package that in real terms is thousands of dollars less than the model it replaces.

"The new Impreza is safe and fun."

Subaru have now set a high standard that they will hopefully maintain into the future. They have also sent a clear message to their competitors; "quit making excuses, get serious or lose sales".

Moral of the story, just because your in a bigger car surrounded by more metal, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be safer!