It should be safe to state that not many people have ever fallen in love with a Subaru Impreza for its looks. You fall in love with the Symmetrical all-wheel drive dynamics and the turbo boxer engines in the case of the WRX and STI - and then you simply try to tolerate the styling.
Now you can forget that controversial bug-eyed Impreza of a decade ago and the bland current model that it was followed up with.
There's a new one now and although it doesn't have the most exciting design in the world, it should be very easy to tolerate, if not like. The new face pairs 'hawk eye' headlights and a big rectangular grille which, as with the rest of the car, seems like a sportier interpretation of the latest Legacy's design.
Launched in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback guise at the New York motor show yesterday, the fourth generation, 2012 Impreza offers improvements across the board.
Before you get too excited, Subaru hasn't shown the WRX or STI versions yet - those will surely come in good time.
The initial range, then, offers naturally aspirated engines - European markets getting a 1.6-litre Boxer flat-four with unspecified outputs and the USA receiving a similarly endowed 2-litre mill with 110kW on tap and around 30 percent better economy than the 2.5-litre it replaces.
Subaru will offer two different Symmetrical all-wheel drive systems in the new Impreza. In models equipped with the five-speed manual (six-speed in the USA), the Continuous AWD system uses a viscous-coupling to distribute power 50/50 front to rear, while any slippage will send more power to the opposite set.
Impreza models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT feature the Active Torque Split AWD version that uses a continuously variable transfer clutch to actively control power distribution in response to driving conditions.
The double-wishbone rear suspension has also been improved with new components that, Subaru claims, improve both the ride quality and stability.
The 2012 model is built on a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs to offer an increase in cabin space despite having similar exterior dimensions to its predecessor.
The current hatchback has been criticized for its small boot, but the new version promises increased luggage volume as well as rear seats that fold to create a totally flat load floor.
Interior ambience is another area where previous Imprezas have been slated but this one promises to resolve that with a smarter design and a glut of soft-touch materials on the dash, doors and central armrest.
Specification has been increased across the board and a new optional feature is a navigation system with a 6.1-inch touch screen LCD display with voice control.