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Subaru Impreza - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Subaru Impreza ranks 9 out of 36 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Impreza, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Impreza's leading safety scores and standard all-wheel drive should appeal to practical-minded car shoppers looking for reliable transportation. But some auto writers say the car has little besides practicality to recommend it. Small-car shoppers should also look at the Toyota Corolla, another Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick," and one of our top picks among compacts for 2009 U.S. News Best Cars for the Money.

If you know anything about the history of the Subaru Impreza, you might find yourself disappointed with the latest version. To some reviewers, the Impreza has lost a lot of the pizzazz that made it distinctive. The current generation has embraced more mainstream performance, styling and features, and the small-car segment has been revitalized with cars like the MINI Cooper or VW Rabbit offering the style and sportiness that some say the Impreza now lacks. Still, the 2009 Impreza does have its good qualities -- for instance, it's one of the best handlers of the class, and reviewers are especially appreciative of the car's sure all-wheel-drive system. Kelley Blue Book recently named the Impreza one of its 10 Coolest New Cars for Under $18,000. According to KBB's report, "The Subaru Impreza is an excellent choice for car buyers with cool, active lifestyles but not a lot of cash."

For 2009, the Impreza continues in the same vein as its 2008 redesign, and still offers a Subaru wagon and performance-oriented WRX trim. The 2009 Impreza trims include the 2.5i, the 2.5i Premium, and the new, sportier 2.5GT.

• "In the hardscrabble world of econoboxes, the Impreza remains mighty imprezzive." -- Car and Driver
• "We could stand to see more vehicles like this replace SUVs since they drive well, can haul cargo and they don't swill fuel." -- AutoWeek
• "As for the regular 2009 Subaru Impreza, it's a midpacker in the highly competitive compact segment. ... As a compact sedan or hatchback, the regular Impreza holds its own, but we'd recommend taking a choice look at its many appealing rivals as well." -- Edmunds
• "The Impreza's shape recalls Subaru's rally-car dominance while its standard all-wheel drive system makes it easy to get you and your gear to wherever the action is happening." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "New to the Impreza range, the GT model is a chafing dish full of original WRX simmering through an automatic transmission." -- Autoblog
• Breaking with most reviewers, the LA Times says "the Impreza is the franchise. Subaru couldn't, they wouldn't mess with the franchise, would they? They have. ... For every upside you can count...there's a tawdry downside. ... Come on, Subaru, follow the GOP model: Pander to your base." -- Los Angeles Times

Impreza Performance - 7.6 (Good)

If anything, the 2009 Impreza's performance can be called well-rounded, because reviewers highlight both good and bad points. Its good attributes include a secure all-wheel drive system and reasonable engine power. Edmunds writes, "The base Impreza handles satisfactorily for a compact car, and its tenacious all-wheel-drive grip is a boon in both spirited cornering and cold-weather driving." But the car is a safe drive as opposed to a fun one, and some test drivers find the acceleration sluggish due to its behind-the-times transmissions.   Read More

Impreza Exterior - 6.1 (Mediocre)

Praise for the 2009 Subaru Impreza's exterior style is hard to find, as most reviewers are bored with both the sedan and hatchback's dimensions. The Washington Post says, "The Impreza is no longer outright ugly. It is now mainstream common, bereft of any distinguishing eccentricities, like a parent who switched from remarkably odd clothing to the latest outerwear from Sears." Read More

Impreza Interior - 7.6 (Good)

In terms of features, quality and space, the Subie Impreza's interior is a definite improvement over previous generations. Automobile Magazine says, "Subaru focused heavily on ... increasing interior refinement on the latest Impreza, and it shows. ... It's a huge leap forward from the last-generation Impreza, where hard surfaces and tinny-sounding doors abounded."  Read More

Impreza Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

Reviewers consider the 2009 Impreza one of the safest small cars thanks to its symmetrical all-wheel drive system. About.com writes, "If Madame Zelda looked into her crystal ball and told me a 5-car pileup was going to occur just ahead of me on the freeway, I'd grab the keys to an Impreza. I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- all-wheel-drive cars like the Impreza save lives." In addition, the Impreza receives strong safety scores from both the federal government and insurance industry, and was selected as a "Top Safety Pick" for its performance in front, side and rear crash tests. Read More

Impreza Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2009 Subaru Impreza reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Subaru Impreza has a basic warranty for the first three-years or 36,000-miles, with powertrain coverage for five-years or 60,000-miles. Read More