The first of the Subaru Global Platform models, the GK/GT Impreza, is now three years old and in need of a refresh. Right on time, the C-segment sedan and hatchback has now received a facelift in its home market of Japan, bringing with it a mildly-revised look and some added kit.

Only the front of the car has been revised with the addition of a new front bumper. The simpler design sports a full-width air intake with L-shaped chrome inserts, plus a slimmer slatted grille. The optional LED headlights are have also been very slightly redesigned with the addition of adaptive high beam, while the tail lights of the hatchback models have been given a smoked look. There are new alloy wheels, too.

The interior sees even fewer changes, limited to some carbon fibre-lookalike trim on the door panels to replace the previous gloss black items. Additional features include a new front parking camera, a memory function for the driver’s seat and door mirrors and a passenger side door mirror that automatically tilts downwards when reversing.

Subaru has also added the EyeSight Touring Assist semi-autonomous driving feature as standard equipment across all models. The company says it has also improved the “driving quality” of the car, but added no specific details as to what exactly has been changed.

The rest of the car remains the same, so the Impreza continues to be powered by the same range of FB naturally-aspirated flat-four engines – the 1.6 litre unit makes 115 PS at 6,200 rpm and 148 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm, whereas the 2.0 litre direct-injected mill churns out 154 PS at 6,000 rpm and 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-wheel Drive continues to be standard equipment.

-paultan