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Subaru Impreza - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Subaru Impreza ranks 15 out of 29 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 26 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Impreza, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

If you live in an area where winter weather can make driving difficult, the Subaru Impreza may be exactly what you’re looking for. With standard All-Wheel Drive and a host of safety features, it’s quite possibly one of the safest car in its class.

The 2010 Subaru Impreza has a lot going for it. It offers impressive cargo capacity, a reasonably comfortable rear seat and handling dynamics that are the envy of many of the cars in its class. Still, the main reason to buy it is for its safety features. It comes with standard All-Wheel Drive, making it an ideal choice for those who live in areas where winter weather can make roads slick. Additionally, it has tons of upscale safety features, like Vehicle Dynamic Control and a Traction Control System, making it better equipped than most of the cars in its class. If you want one of the safest car in the Affordable Small Car class, this is it.

Beyond its safety systems though, the Impreza has a few significant drawbacks. First and foremost among them is its steep price. With a base price of around $17,500, it’s one of the most expensive cars in the Affordable Small Car class. It might be worth it if the car were loaded to the brim with features and has cushy seats, but it doesn’t. Leather isn’t even available and navigation is part of a pricey package ($3,000) that is only available on the 2.5i Premium model -- which is already $1,000 more than the base trim. Impreza models also suffer one of the worst fuel economies in the class, ahead of only the Suzuki Forenza. The poor fuel economy can be explained in part by the fact that the Impreza has All Wheel Drive, but there are other cars that offer the same feature but with better fuel economy.

If you’re willing and able to pay the Impreza’s steep price, you should also check out the Volkswagen Jetta. The Jetta costs about the same as the Impreza but it has one of the most comfortable cabins it the class and a ride that is smooth as butter. Those looking to save a bit, but his still want the option for All Wheel Drive should also check out the Suzuki SX4. The base SX4 Crossover comes with a similar line-up of features and gets a higher 22/30 fuel economy, but starts at over $1,500 less than the Impreza. Upgrading to the SX4 Crossover Technology means you get a built-in navigation system for only $200 more than a base Impreza (on which, navigation isn’t even an option). Finally, if you’re considering the Impreza for its the handling dynamics, you should also definitely test drive the Mazda3. It has a starting price of over $2,000 less than the Impreza and is widely reputed to be the sportiest car in the class, while still offering excellent fuel economy.

If the Impreza’s safety features and handling are too good to pass up, you may want to at least consider buying an earlier model year to help you save some extra cash. For 2010, the Impreza comes in four trims -- the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, Outback Sport and 2.5GT. The Impreza is also available in a performance trim, the Impreza WRX, which is reviewed separately.

• "We're fond of the Impreza, and each variant deserves a look from interested small car buyers. However, drawbacks like lackluster fuel economy, a quirky navigation interface and poor stereo sound keep it from being a clear-cut leader in any of the classes it competes in." -- Edmunds
• "All Imprezas have middling interior materials, and turbocharged versions have steep pricing. Though at a significant power disadvantage, the non-turbo Impreza 2.5i is far more reasonably priced, yet still offers a lot of convenience and safety features." -- Consumer Guide
• "In short, the Impreza is a lot of car for the money, and its standard all-wheel drive makes it an excellent choice for buyers who want an extra measure of security and stability in inclement conditions." -- New Car Test Drive
• "There is a reason why the boosted Impreza has been popular among enthusiasts, and it's because the modest car with the Pleiades badges can run rings around lots of iron. An exciting history of motorsports victories doesn't hurt, either. Putting performance aside, underneath it all, it's still an Impreza. Our five-door tester proved eminently useful, with plenty of front seat space and superb hatchback functionality." -- Autoblog

Impreza Performance - 7.8 (Good)

Performance is definitely a high point for the 2010 Subaru Impreza, since it offers excellent handling, more power than most of the cars in its class and standard All-Wheel Drive. Autoblog says, "This car is fast and handles well with well-weighted steering that keeps you clued in on what the tires are up to and allows the driver to precisely dissect corner apexes." That said, the Impreza’s terrible fuel economy takes a toll on its performance scores. Read More

Impreza Exterior - 6.6 (Mediocre)

Reviewers disagree about the styling of the 2010 Subaru Impreza. The hatchback models receive high marks for their aggressive looks, but the base sedan model is considered humdrum. About.com is simple but straight forward, saying the Impreza sedan has "dull styling." Read More

Impreza Interior - 7.2 (Good)

Subaru did a good job of designing the 2010 Impreza’s cabin to be spacious for both people and cargo. "Whether you opt for the sedan or hatchback, the Subaru Impreza provides a spacious cabin with loads of head- and legroom," says Edmunds. Nonetheless, the Subaru’s seats can be a bit stiff and for such a steep price and some buyers might expect more standard features. Read More

Impreza Safety - 9.6 (Excellent)

Packed with more standard safety features than almost any car in its class, the 2010 Subaru Impreza makes safety its top priority. It earns excellent scores from the government in crash testing and the 2009 model was even named an insurance industry “Top Safety Pick.” Read More

Impreza Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2010 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). Subaru hasn’t yet posted information on the warranty for the 2010 Impreza but the 2009 model has a basic warranty for the first three years or 36,000 miles. Read More