Subaru caught many observers by surprise with its redesign of the Impreza for 2012, but no one is about to complain. Make no mistake: Reviewers find it a most pleasant surprise. The company generally makes over its models every five years, and the 2012 Subaru Impreza got its redesign a year early.

Even better, Subaru addressed the concerns that experts and buyers generally had with its 4-door and 5-door hatchback Impreza: The manufacturer gave the car more aggressive and updated styling, borrowing a bit from its big brother, the Legacy; bumped its fuel mileage statistics up quite nicely; and dressed up the cabin as well.

Subaru as a whole has been on a roll in recent years, led largely by its crossovers, the Outback and Forester. The company had its best-ever sales figures in 2010, up about 22 percent over 2009 according to reports. The 2012 Subaru Impreza won’t hurt those numbers a bit, experts feel.

The boost in fuel mileage ranks as the biggest and most noteworthy change for the 2012 Subaru Impreza, which as usual is all-wheel drive and a great pick especially for those who must deal with wintry weather conditions. After all, what’s not to like about getting 7 to 9 more miles per gallon? The Impreza provides the new numbers – it tops out at 36 mpg – via a multipronged approach.

A new and smaller 2.0-liter flat-4 engine at 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque powers the Impreza and teams with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an also new continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Impreza boasts mileage figures of 27 mpg city/36 highway with the CVT and 25/33 with the 5-speed.

The new engine actually provides 22 hp less than the previous powerplant. Still, thanks largely to the CVT, better aerodynamics and the loss of about 160 pounds of curb weight, this Impreza is faster off the line than the 2011 version, and most reviewers, though not all, find it packs plenty of punch and power. Some drivers note the sporty way the 2012 Subaru Impreza, which also has a new suspension, drives, too.

Electric power steering, the use of lightweight and high-strength steel and a smaller fuel tank are among the measures used to cut weight in the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The gas tank has gone from 16.9 to 14.6 gallons, but because of the better fuel mileage the Impreza still will need to make less-frequent stops at the pumps.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback come in 2.0i Base, 2.0i Premium and 2.0i Limited trims, and the hatchback adds a Sport Premium and Sport Limited. Air conditioning, power locks, side mirrors and door locks, and a 65/35 a split-folding backseat come standard in the Base trim, and an automatic transmission is available.

The Premium, which comes standard with a manual transmission, adds 16-inch alloy wheels and cruise control, and the stereo gets a USB port along with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth for audio streaming and hands-free cellular. An optional All-Weather Package offers heated front seats and side mirrors and a wiper de-icer.

The Limited sedan and hatchback and Sport Limited come with the CVT and get leather upholstery, automatic climate control and the All-Weather Package.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza’s design makeover spilled successfully over into the interior, too. Reviewers appreciate that Subaru has improved the quality of materials in the cabin and gotten away from some of the hard plastics, which is the opposite approach a few rivals have taken. Engineers have managed, by more efficient use of space, to make the cabin roomier as well. Controls are easy to use, and an array of radio options, from a basic stereo to higher-end touchscreen units with and without navigation, is available. Experts are not crazy about the sound quality, though.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza gets new knee airbags and a brake override system, and a new steel center roof brace improves chassis stiffness and strength. Those safety additions join a full assortment of airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system.