2010 Subaru Impreza

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
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Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Although there are a few complaints about the 2010 Subaru Impreza’s cabin being noisy, most reviewers agree that it’s an excellent performer. It comes with standard All-Wheel Drive and powerful engine choices. Beware though, having All Wheel Drive comes at a cost with the car’s sub-par fuel economy, and it’s possible to get a car with AWD without losing an arm and a leg at the gas pump.

• "The base 2010 Subaru Impreza rides and handles satisfactorily for a compact car, and its tenacious all-wheel-drive grip is a boon for wet-weather driving. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer has more aural character than your typical economy-grade four-cylinder, and it delivers adequate punch when called on." -- Edmunds
• "The Impreza also has a handling advantage versus several competitors. Advanced suspension geometry, a platform built to host the high-performance WRX models, and a low center of gravity thanks to the boxer engine all add up to crisp handling with little body lean in corners. And yet, the Impreza also offers a comfortable ride." -- New Car Test Drive
• "The 2.5GT's engine has less turbo noise, but its overall sound is not as refined as class pacesetters. The hatchback is particularly susceptible to wind, road, and bump noise." -- Consumer Guide
• "Swing the needle on that prominent tachometer past 4,000 RPM, and the engine's normal gravel throat takes on a steely edge as the engine room delivers "full ahead". 224 hp is plenty capable of yanking around the 3,200-lb Impreza 2.5 GT with authority." -- Autoblog

Acceleration and Power

The Impreza comes with two engine choices. The first is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out 170 horsepower and is standard on the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Outback Sport models. The second, available on the 2.5GT, is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that offers an impressive 224 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Outback Sport. A four-speed automatic is standard on the 2.5GT and available for $1,000 on the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Outback Sport.

The base Impreza offers more than enough punch to handle highway passing maneuvers with ease and reviewers say that it is genuinely fun to drive. For true performance enthusiasts, however, the 2.5GT model is the one you’ve been waiting for. It offers enough power to put far more upscale cars (like the Volkswagen GTI) in its sights -- quite possibly from its rearview mirror.

Still, where the Impreza falls short is in its fuel economy. According to the EPA, the base 2.5i Impreza is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway -- one of the worst fuel economies in the class. If you upgrade to the 2.5i Premium model, it drops even lower to 18/25 mpg, which is officially lower than any car in the class. This is in part due to the Impreza having All Wheel Drive, but there are other AWD models that have better fuel economy ratings.

If you want the Impreza’s performance without paying the Impreza’s steep price, consider the Mazda3. It costs over $2,000 less than the base Impreza (and around $10,000 less than the 2.5GT model) and is widely considered to offer the sportiest ride in its class. Furthermore, it has a fantastic 25/33 mpg fuel economy rating. On the other hand, if you want a vehicle that offers All Wheel Drive, check out the Suzuki SX4. It gets higher fuel economy ratings of 22/30 mpg city/highway, but starts at over $1,500 less than the Impreza.

• "2.5GT is a bit sluggish from a stop, but speed picks up nicely at higher rpm. The transition where the turbo kicks in is smooth and linear, so we're hesitant to call it "turbo lag." Despite having only four speeds, the automatic transmission is a good match for the engine." -- Consumer Guide
• "The 2.5GT provides considerably more punch than the base car, thanks to a turbocharged engine, but with its automatic transmission and moderate suspension tuning, it's designed for those who desire speed without any compromises in comfort." -- Edmunds
• "The engine produces 170-horspower, enough power for everyday needs and enough oomph for good passing punch." -- New Car Test Drive
• "New to the Impreza range, the GT model is a chafing dish full of original WRX simmering through an automatic transmission. An autobox may seem anathema to the 224 horsepower turbo-fed boxer, but we were pleased to discover that all the fun is not sopped up by a spongy tranny. Indeed, even with an automatic, there's a firm shove that starts just below 2,000 rpm and surges the sharply creased hatchback forward smartly. The autobox doesn't blunt the turbo powertrain's edge so much as bring some refinement and, dare we say it, maturity." -- Autoblog
• "Power for passing and hill-climbing is fantastic, but there's little advantage around town. The GT not only uses more gas than the 2.5i -- I averaged around 20 MPG, compared to 24.6 in the last 2.5i I tested -- but it requires premium fuel. And the GT's old-fashioned 4-speed automatic doesn't help matters, either." -- About.com

Handling and Braking

With standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Impreza’s handling dynamics definitely have an edge over competitors. Test drivers say it grips the road well even in harsh conditions and offers a smooth, pleasant ride.

• "All-wheel drive adds handling stability and traction on slippery roads, however, and we found it kept us safe on a snowy ski trip. Even a minor wreck costs more than a tank of gas." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Steering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharp as would be expected in a sporty car. Body lean in turns is moderate, and dry-pavement grip is excellent." -- Consumer Guide
• "A phrase like "sport tuned suspension" might make your rear end run for the nearest pillow, but Subaru has gone far enough to satisfy stiction junkies with a tenacious chassis that doesn't bash occupants into renal failure. Impacts are absorbed without a visit to bump-stopville, and higher frequency pavement irregularities are mostly filtered thanks in part to a new multilink rear suspension." -- Autoblog
• "The ride [on the 2.5GT] is soft and compliant, just like the 2.5i, which makes it comfortable for cruising or commuting but problematic in the curves -- if a series of bumps sets the Impreza's suspension rocking, it makes it difficult to keep all four wheels planted firmly on the pavement." -- About.com