Four Subaru Impreza accessories you didn’t know you needed.
In the world of compact sedans, the Subaru Impreza is mostly distinguished by its all-wheel drive system and Boxer engine, but for the rest, it’s all pretty conventional. An Impreza doesn’t have to be a wallflower, though – especially not with these four accessories you didn’t know it needed!
In compiling this report, we stuck to Subaru’s own accessories catalogue. The main reason for this is that the current-generation Impreza is still fairly new, and fitting non-OEM accessories may affect the car’s warranty. The other reason is that, because the Impreza hasn’t been a local favourite for a while, there is a limited choice of extras available in our aftermarket sector.
Not all of these accessories are stocked by Subaru South Africa, though – you may have to order directly from Australia or the USA to get some of them, if Subaru SA can’t assist in sourcing those items. Maybe just wait a while, until our exchange rate improves a little...
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Subaru Impreza.
1. Floor mat set
This a locally-listed accessory set, and is made of durable carpeting that’s precisely cut to fit in the Impreza’s footwells. You don’t have to be content with aftermarket rubber mats, because these OEM mats have a similar look and feel to the original carpet – only more hard-wearing. Protecting your car’s carpets will always pay dividends when you decide to sell it, too.
2. Cargo step panel
Also listed by Subaru SA, this is a useful trim piece that attaches to the the rear bumper's upper ledge, to protect against accidental scrapes when loading or offloading the boot. It’s mostly hidden away by the closed boot lid, but acts as barrier between errant luggage and the bumper’s paintwork when exposed. Keeping the bumper blemish-free will likewise improve resale value, so this would be a worthwhile investment as well. And, if you don’t want it in stainless steel (as provided by Subaru SA), you could order it in hard-wearing plastic from Australia or New Zealand.
Related: The top 3 safety features on a Subaru Impreza.
3. Roof cross bars
Sourced on the Subaru USA website, these roof bars are designed specifically for the Impreza sedan. They can then be used with a roof-bar-mounted bicycle rack, or even a rooftop box to handle more cargo. Fitting and removal can be done by hand in a few minutes as well, so you don’t have to live with a drag-inducing roof rack when you don’t need it.
4. Tailgate spoiler
The only cosmetic enhancement on this list is this boot spoiler. Also sourced from America, it’s shaped to fit the Impreza’s rump to perfection, and comes with all the relevant instructions and fasteners. While not really functional, it does add some attitude to the Impreza’s rear end. If you can’t have a WRX’s performance, at least you can emulate its looks...
