The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt: A Very Competent...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX Safety Review

March 30, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety Pick
IIHS

Five stars, front impacts; five stars, side driver impact; four stars, side passenger impact
NHTSA

Available safety features...include ABS, traction control
ConsumerGuide

Subaru has built its reputation on two factors: safety and performance. The 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi and WRX hatchback and sedan offer both in spades, and reviews read by TheCarConnection.com invariably praise the high crash-test ratings for these models.

Few vehicles rate as highly as the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX lineup when it comes to crash-test scores. The Subaru Impreza WRX earns the IIHS's highest rating, "good," in both frontal offset and side impact tests on its way to being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2009. The IIHS cites the Subaru Impreza WRX's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control" as the primary reasons for the award. NHTSA also bestows very high grades on the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and its WRX siblings; in NHTSA testing, the Subaru Impreza WRX earns perfect five-star ratings in both frontal impact categories and the side driver impact category, and four of five stars for the side passenger impact category.

When it comes to overall safety ratings, crash-test scores are just one part of the story. In addition to its solid construction, the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX boasts a number of standard safety features that work to keep occupants out of harm's way. Cars.com reports that "all Imprezas include an impressive array of safety features," including "standard side impact and side-curtain airbags, standard electronic stability system with traction control, standard antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist, [and] standard incline-start assist." ConsumerGuide mentions that an "antiskid system" is also standard on the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and WRX models. As noted in the performance section, all Subaru Impreza WRX vehicles come with standard all-wheel drive as well, which can prove invaluable during inclement weather.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com report that visibility is great from within either body style. Edmunds declares, "from behind the wheel, outward visibility in our 2009 Subaru WRX Sedan Premium test car is excellent.”

Conclusion

Subaru seems to recognize that safe, happy customers are loyal customers, so it's packed the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX with the latest safety gear.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety PickIIHSFive stars, front impacts; five stars, side driver impact; four stars, side passenger impactNHTSAAvailable safety features...include ABS, traction controlConsumerGuide Subaru has built its reputation on two factors: safety and performance. The 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi and WRX hatchback and sedan offer both in spades, and reviews read by TheCarConnection.com invariably praise the high crash-test ratings for these models. Few vehicles rate as highly as the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX lineup when it comes to crash-test scores. The Subaru Impreza WRX earns the IIHS's highest rating, "good," in both frontal offset and side impact tests on its way to being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2009. The IIHS cites the Subaru Impreza WRX's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control" as the primary reasons for the award. NHTSA also bestows very high grades on the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and its WRX siblings; in NHTSA testing, the Subaru Impreza WRX earns perfect five-star ratings in both frontal impact categories and the side driver impact category, and four of five stars for the side passenger impact category. When it comes to overall safety ratings, crash-test scores are just one part of the story. In addition to its solid construction, the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX boasts a number of standard safety features that work to keep occupants out of harm's way. Cars.com reports that "all Imprezas include an impressive array of safety features," including "standard side impact and side-curtain airbags, standard electronic stability system with traction control, standard antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist, [and] standard incline-start assist." ConsumerGuide mentions that an "antiskid system" is also standard on the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and WRX models. As noted in the performance section, all Subaru Impreza WRX vehicles come with standard all-wheel drive as well, which can prove invaluable during inclement weather. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com report that visibility is great from within either body style. Edmunds declares, "from behind the wheel, outward visibility in our 2009 Subaru WRX Sedan Premium test car is excellent.” ConclusionSubaru seems to recognize that safe, happy customers are loyal customers, so it's packed the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX with the latest safety gear. 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STYLING | [7 out of 10] Jalopnik: "STi...carries an air of purposeful muscularity" Cars.com: "Impreza is athletically styled, avoiding the bulbous look that plagues some hatchbacks" Edmunds: "Simple and intuitive climate control knobs are likewise well-placed" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The MazdaSpeed3 is a sharply styled beast with similar turbo thrills, less turbo lag, and an equally roomy interior; economy is surprising, but front-wheel drive only means that torque steer can give unpleasant driving surprises—especially on less-than-perfect pavement. Mitsubishi's turbocharged Lancer Ralliart is nearly as fast as the legendary Evo and a good match for the WRX, but its interior doesn't match the WRX's quality, and it, too, suffers from turbo lag. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS is a surprisingly good performer, but also front-wheel drive; GM's new direct-injected turbo four is blistering and refined, handling is grin-inducing, and the low-rent interior is Avis abysmal. Dodge's Caliber SRT4 melds a roomy, convenient hatch layout with good performance stats, but refinement is sorely lacking in every sense and the interior is down there with the Cobalt's. The STi directly competes with the BMW 1-Series and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Compared to the STi, the Evolution is hard-edged, with a firmer ride but handling that's crisper in the tightest corners; the experience is a bit twitchy, and ride quality is barely good enough for daily driving. The Evolution also has the advantage of a wonderful automatic-clutch manual transmission that's our favorite manu-matic option to date. The 135i is a worthy competitor, but it has a somewhat cramped interior and rides like a bigger, heavier car; it's remarkably close in size to the 3-Series, and between the two TheCarConnection.com prefers the 3.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX near you

See the Subaru Impreza WRX in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2006 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By erik #1, Posted: 9/11/2009

    My WRX need a new engine after 1400 miles. The local dealer said he will order a new one and pick up the cost but I was very disappointed. Whatch out!

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy