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Subaru Impreza Review: Difference between revisions
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==Exterior== | ==Exterior== | ||
The Impreza models have been restyled to reflect what Subaru calls its new brand identity. The centerpiece is a prominent three-section black mesh grille, which is supposed to reflect [[Subaru]]'s aircraft heritage. Some reviewers have described the new Subaru look in unflattering terms. The new grille is flanked by comma-shaped light clusters, encased in tinted lenses. The taillight clusters are shaped similarly to those in front, with the red, yellow and clear lenses of individual lights gathered under a smoked cover. All models now have aluminum hoods to trim weight and improve weight balance front to rear (not something you expect on the typical small car). The fenders on all Impreza models are flared more aggressively, and the wheel wells are filled nicely with standard 16-inch rims. | |||
The Impreza WRX now features the sculpted side sills previously reserved for the mighty STi. The 17-inch spoke [[wheel]]s add purpose. The body-colored side mirrors, new smoked light lenses and softly shimmering paint (not to mention impressive overall panel fit) meld to create a jewel-like finish that would flatter cars costing twice as much. | |||
The WRX STi has been stripped of what many considered its calling card: the big gaping scoop in its hood. Subaru says improved aerodynamics feed the STi engine and intercooler all the air they need through a narrower scoop identical to that on the standard WRX. Perhaps, but saving the cost of tooling a separate hood for the low-volume STi probably helped. | |||
The STi was created as the homologation car, a required street-legal copy of Subaru's winning World Rally Championship cars. Those who care will notice the STi's slightly lower ride height, or the badges or the little [[spoiler]] at the trailing edge of the roof. And if none of those things are enough to announce the presence of the fastest Subaru ever, no worries. Absolutely no one will miss the giant, two-step rear wing. The STi's rear spoiler may be the most audacious in autodom. And if the wing doesn't shout "Look at me!'' loud enough, there are optional gold wheels, just like those on the WRC race cars. They may not be particularly attractive, but they're genuine. | |||
==Styles and Options== | ==Styles and Options== |
Revision as of 22:23, 4 December 2006
See also the main fact sheet for the Subaru Impreza.
High Points
Low Points
- Small rear-seat legroom (Kelley Blue Book)
- Low-rent interior plastics (Motor Trend)
- WRX's suspension foregoes comfort for performance (Edmunds.com)
Performance and Handling
Gas Mileage
As seen on Autos.com, in the compact car MPG rankings, the 2007 Subaru Impreza is in 21st place with 22/29 MPG.
Safety
The Subaru Impreza comes standard with the following features:
- Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- 4-wheel antilock brakes ABS
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- 4-wheel independent suspension
- Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- Dual driver and front-passenger front air bags
- Subaru advanced frontal air bag system with driver's seat position sensor and front passenger seat occupant detection sensor
- Front-seat-mounted head/chest side-impact air bags
- Height-adjustable active front-seat head restraints
- Three individual rear head restraints
- Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters
- 3-point seatbelts at all rear seating positions.
- Rear child-safety door locks
- Safety brake pedal system
- Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
- Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure with hydroformed front subframe structure
Reliability and Maintenance
2007 Subaru warranty information:
BASIC COVERAGE is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
SEAT BELT COVERAGE lasts for the useful life of the vehicle and includes seat belts and related components which fail to function properly during normal use.
WEAR ITEM COVERAGE is 3 year or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Items covered are brake pad/shoe linings, clutch linings, and wiper blades.
POWERTRAIN COVERAGE for all models is 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Subject to the exclusions listed in warranty information.
RUST PERFORATION COVERAGE for all models is 5 years, regardless of mileage.
SOA will pay the cost of having your car towed to the nearest Authorized SUBARU Dealer if it cannot be driven due to a defect covered by these warranties.
Interior and Comforts
Exterior
The Impreza models have been restyled to reflect what Subaru calls its new brand identity. The centerpiece is a prominent three-section black mesh grille, which is supposed to reflect Subaru's aircraft heritage. Some reviewers have described the new Subaru look in unflattering terms. The new grille is flanked by comma-shaped light clusters, encased in tinted lenses. The taillight clusters are shaped similarly to those in front, with the red, yellow and clear lenses of individual lights gathered under a smoked cover. All models now have aluminum hoods to trim weight and improve weight balance front to rear (not something you expect on the typical small car). The fenders on all Impreza models are flared more aggressively, and the wheel wells are filled nicely with standard 16-inch rims.
The Impreza WRX now features the sculpted side sills previously reserved for the mighty STi. The 17-inch spoke wheels add purpose. The body-colored side mirrors, new smoked light lenses and softly shimmering paint (not to mention impressive overall panel fit) meld to create a jewel-like finish that would flatter cars costing twice as much.
The WRX STi has been stripped of what many considered its calling card: the big gaping scoop in its hood. Subaru says improved aerodynamics feed the STi engine and intercooler all the air they need through a narrower scoop identical to that on the standard WRX. Perhaps, but saving the cost of tooling a separate hood for the low-volume STi probably helped.
The STi was created as the homologation car, a required street-legal copy of Subaru's winning World Rally Championship cars. Those who care will notice the STi's slightly lower ride height, or the badges or the little spoiler at the trailing edge of the roof. And if none of those things are enough to announce the presence of the fastest Subaru ever, no worries. Absolutely no one will miss the giant, two-step rear wing. The STi's rear spoiler may be the most audacious in autodom. And if the wing doesn't shout "Look at me! loud enough, there are optional gold wheels, just like those on the WRC race cars. They may not be particularly attractive, but they're genuine.
Styles and Options
The Subaru Impreza is available as a Sedan or Sport Wagon (Not available in STI trim). There are 5 trims available: 2.5i, WRX, WRX TR, WRX STI, and WRX STI Limited.
Impreza 2.5i Sedan
- 173-hp 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine
- 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension
- Sport-design front seats with height-adjustable active front-seat head restraints
- Leather-wrapped shifter handle
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- Rear-center armrest with trunk pass-through
- 80-watt 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player
Impreza WRX sedan
- 224-hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine
- 226 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- SIRIUS satellite radio capability
- Projector-beam halogen fog lights
- Sport-design instrumentation with silver gauge trim rings and center-mounted tachometer
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with manually adjustable tilt column
- Performance-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints
- 120-watt 6-speaker premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3/WMA capability
- Auxiliary audio jack
Limited Package:
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- Dual-stage heated front seats
- Power tilt/sliding-glass moonroof
- Rear spoiler
- Heated side mirrors and windshield wipers de-icer
Impreza WRX TR Sedan
- 24-hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine
- 226 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension
- Sport-design instrumentation with silver gauge trim rings and center-mounted tachometer
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with manually adjustable tilt column
- Sport-design front seats with height-adjustable active front-seat head restraints
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- Rear-center armrest with trunk pass-through
- 80-watt 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player
Impreza WRX STI
- 293-hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine
- 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- SIRIUS satellite radio capability
- High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam and multireflector halogen high-beam headlights
- STI-design instrumentation with aluminum gauge trim rings, center-mounted tachometer, gauge needles full-sweep on start-up and adjustable tachometer redline warning with audible indicator
- STI high-performance-tuned exhaust system with single stainless-steel outlet
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke STI-design steering wheel with contrasting red stitching
- STI-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints and embroidered STI logos
- Alcantara upholstery
- 120-watt 6-speaker premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3/WMA capability
- Auxiliary audio jack
Impreza WRX STI Limited
- 293-hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine
- 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- SIRIUS satellite radio capability
- High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam and multireflector halogen high-beam headlights
- STI-design instrumentation with aluminum gauge trim rings, center-mounted tachometer, gauge needles full-sweep on start-up and adjustable tachometer redline warning with audible indicator
- STI high-performance-tuned exhaust system with single stainless-steel outlet
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke STI-design steering wheel with contrasting red stitching
- STI-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints and embroidered STI logos
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- Dual-stage heated front seats
- Power tilt/sliding-glass moonroof
- STI front-lip spoiler and rear spoiler
- 120-watt 6-speaker premium audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3/WMA capability
- Auxiliary audio jack
Main Competitors
- Honda Civic: side-by-side comparison
- Mazda Mazda3: side-by-side comparison
- Ford Focus: side-by-side comparison
- Dodge Caliber: side-by-side comparison
- Volkswagen Jetta: side-by-side comparison
- Nissan Sentra: side-by-side comparison
- Toyota Corolla: side-by-side comparison
- Hyundai Elantra: side-by-side comparison
External Links
WikiCars Contributor Favorites
- fhi.co - Origin of the name "Impreza"
- Subaru Impreza 22B - Japanese, Subaru STi website
- swrt.com - Subaru World Rally Team
Toyota Manufacturer Sites
- Subaru Impreza - Official US Site
- Subaru of Japan Web site
- Subaru Australia
Community Sites
- Subaru Impreza RS Owners Club
- Scoobynet - Subaru Impreza Forums
- Cars101 Subaru Technical Archives
- Club WRX
- Subaru Impreza FAQ - covering classic models up to year 2000
- Subaru Impreza owners across the globe, advice, tips, news
- i-Club.com
- NASIOC - North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club
- Impreza Drivers Club Norway
- ScoobyMods - Subaru Modification Library
- Last Ditch Racing - Maine Based Performance Rally Racing Team
- Maine Forest Rally
- Maine Subaru Group - Maine Subaru Owners and Enthusiasts