Subaru Impreza Sedan Concept Previews What’s Next

Sometimes concept cars show off a whole new direction for an automaker. And sometimes, as with the Subaru Impreza Sedan Concept unveiled in Los Angeles, they’re just the metal-and-rubber version of a movie trailer.

What you see is what you get—a sleeker, yet randomly chiseled take on the current popular Impreza small car. Built from a new corporate chassis, and slightly longer wheelbase and slightly shorter overall body, this look will be translated into a road-ready version within a couple of years. (Generally speaking, car buyers like door handles, and insurance companies like bumpers that can be replaced if damaged rather than rebuilding the entire rear sheetmetal.)

Subaru has been one of the big beneficiaries of the recent new-car sales boom; with a couple of exceptions, it sells every car it can build. Subaru buyers tend to be among the most loyal in the business, in part because the company rarely makes major changes, choosing years of small improvements instead. In that context the Impreza concept looks a little more dramatic—but only a little.