SpecificationsModel tested: Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX STI Type UK
Price as tested: £24,995
Range price: £12,990 - £24,995
Insurance group as tested: 19E (11E – 19E)
CO2 emissions as tested: 243g/km (Band G, £400)
CO2 emission range: 176-243g/km
Company car tax %: 35%
EuroNCAP result: n/a
Date tested: April 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 82%
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The Subaru Impreza has been the performance car of a generation. With a turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive chassis in an affordable package, it's not hard to see why.
But with the latest generation of 'Scooby', the Impreza has evolved from a three-box saloon (and estate) car into a hatchback; and that puts it up against some very impressive opposition.
Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor
1. Looks
The new Subaru Impreza has never been a conventionally attractive car, but with a few spoilers and vents, it quickly found favour with performance car enthusiasts. The new model has come under a lot of criticism for its new look, but there are elements in this, the range-topping WRX STI which provide obvious hints to the performance within. Beefed-up wheelarches hide a widened track for greater stability in the STI and four exhausts poke out the back, although the WRX which sits beneath it in the range does without both. Both models have the trademark bonnet scoop to force air into the engine and a big spoiler in the bootlid.
8/10
2. Looks inside
The interior has been treated to a redesign, which although far from radical, makes an attempt at injecting some flair, despite using hard, scratchy plastics. The dash curves in front of the passenger and the two-tone plastic makes a good feature threading across the doors onto the dash. In STI logo in the centre of the racy steering wheel is echoed by an illuminated logo at the base of the centre console. But like many serious sub-£40,000 performance cars, it is function over form. The leather and alcantara seats are both supportive and grippy, preventing the occupants sliding under hard cornering, the steering wheel and gearknob are pleasantly chunky and the SI-Drive switches sit discreetly between the front seats.
7/10
3. Practicality
The new Subaru Impreza is easier to live with than the old saloon, but those lugging large loads will miss the old estate. The current model has a 301 litre boot, which is noticeably less than the Ford Focus' 385 litres. That has a lot to do with a shallow boot floor due to the four-wheel drive system encroaching. The cabin offers a few storage spaces in the usual places and will be enough for most drivers.
7/10
4. Ride and Handling
Now we're talking. The Subaru Impreza has traded on being one of the fastest ways to get from A to B for years, and has been borne out in its success on the world's rally stages. The new model is no different.
It features a four-wheel drive system which can vary grip between the front, rear and sides depending on where the most grip is. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI retains the previous model's Driver's Control Centre Differential (DCCD), and allows the driver to select different modes. Auto mode covers most driving condition, while Auto+ mode improves traction on slippery roads by evenly splitting power between all four wheels. Auto- splits power less and enhances steering response.
A manual mode allows the driver to fine-tune the chassis to suit different road conditions.
On the road, this means the Impreza has an astonishing level of grip when attacking bends at moderate speeds. The driver needs few skills to drive with huge pace, but the Impreza's front end does have a tendency to wash wide on bends taken at high speed, which is were the DCCD comes into play. Dial it into Auto- mode and the car feels less grippy but more alive, allowing the driver to place it into corners with more confidence.
10/10
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5. Performance
The new Impreza WRX STI has a revised version of its predecessor's 2.5-litre turbocharged engine. It now employs a larger intercooler to force more cold air through the turbo, which in turn increases power. It now produces 294bhp and 300lb/ft of pulling power – up by 19bhp and 11lb/ft.
That gives the STI a top speed of 155mph and a 0-60mph time of 4.8 seconds, making it the fastest hot hatch currently on sale. Throttle response can be tweaked using the SI-Drive system, although most committed drivers will select 'Super-Sharp' and leave it there.
10/10
6. Running Costs
Considering the performance on offer, the Impreza is a bit of a bargain. Its £24,995 list price is £1,600 less than the previous model, and roughly the same price as the slower Volkswagen Golf R32. But that's where the value ends. Insurance is costly at group 19, while CO2 emissions of 243g/km place it in tax band G, costing £400 a year. Fuel consumption is likely to be the biggest concern; with the STI drinking a gallon of super unleaded every 27.4 miles; and much less if driven hard.
7/10
7. Reliability
Subaru has built up a good reputation for building tough cars; finding favour with those living in the country especially. There shouldn't be any real concerns here, although used buyers should check carefully for crash damage.
9/10
8. Safety
The Subaru Impreza hasn’t been crash tested by EuroNCAP yet, but boasts a good level of equipment including front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and chunky Brembo brakes.
8/10
9. Equipment
The range-topping Impreza WRX STI isn't short on equipment, counting cruise control, 17-inch alloys, bright HID headlamps, leather and alcantara seats, climate control and a 6-CD in-dash autochanger as standard.
8/10
10. X-Factor
There are few other cars which offer as much performance for as little money. Subaru may have placed the Impreza straight in the firing line of other talented hot hatches, but the Scooby simply offers pace and grip the others can't dream of.
8/10
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