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2008 Subaru Impreza Performance Review

August 19, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

curb weights are hefty...performance is tepid as a consequence
Cars and Driver

notchy, satisfying shifter
Automobile

six-speed manual gearbox is perfect
Detroit News

steering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharp
ConsumerGuide

The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon uses a single engine and standard all-wheel drive, and turns in only average acceleration and handling.

Automobile reports that the Subaru 2008 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found on base-model Imprezas "survives largely unchanged from the previous generation Impreza, albeit with a slight bump in horsepower and torque...power is up to 170 hp at 6000 rpm, torque climbs to 170 lb-ft, and the torque peak has fallen, from 4400 rpm to 4000 rpm," which is "enough to move the car along just fine in most driving scenarios." The base 2008 Subaru Impreza is hampered by its bulk, unfortunately; this Subaru 2008 model's "curb weights are hefty for a compact, and performance is tepid as a consequence," according to Car and Driver.

Cars.com says a "five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic with a manual-shift mode is optional, [and] all-wheel drive is standard." The four speeds of the automatic fall out of favor with reviewers. “With just four cogs to work with, the automatic tranny lags behind a few rivals that offer five or even six speeds,” Edmunds advises. They add, “We recommend that enthusiast-oriented drivers choose the manual transmission -- acceleration is sluggish with the four-speed automatic.” Automobile agrees, noting, “The manual transmission, however, is something Subaru needs to work on. Sure, the shifts are long (again, it's not a WRX), but the Impreza begs for a tall sixth gear.”

EPA mileage ratings for this 2008 Subaru are 20/27 mpg. Fuel economy is “not stellar,” Automobile adds.

On the topic of handling, Automobile reports, “In the pursuit of daily-driver comfort, the 2.5i is very lightly sprung, which, over most broken Michigan road surfaces, delivers a smooth ride - and copious amounts of body roll. It's nothing too obtrusive in mild city driving, but in harder cornering, the car wallows.” ConsumerGuide notes that "steering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharp as would be expected in a sporty car." The transformation from the previous car is missing something: “lost in the transformation was the Impreza's spunky personality,” Edmunds says.

Conclusion

The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon has sluggish acceleration and handling, a marked change from the previous car.

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:curb weights are hefty...performance is tepid as a consequenceCars and Drivernotchy, satisfying shifterAutomobilesix-speed manual gearbox is perfectDetroit Newssteering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharpConsumerGuide The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon uses a single engine and standard all-wheel drive, and turns in only average acceleration and handling. Automobile reports that the Subaru 2008 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found on base-model Imprezas "survives largely unchanged from the previous generation Impreza, albeit with a slight bump in horsepower and torque...power is up to 170 hp at 6000 rpm, torque climbs to 170 lb-ft, and the torque peak has fallen, from 4400 rpm to 4000 rpm," which is "enough to move the car along just fine in most driving scenarios." The base 2008 Subaru Impreza is hampered by its bulk, unfortunately; this Subaru 2008 model's "curb weights are hefty for a compact, and performance is tepid as a consequence," according to Car and Driver. Cars.com says a "five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic with a manual-shift mode is optional, [and] all-wheel drive is standard." The four speeds of the automatic fall out of favor with reviewers. “With just four cogs to work with, the automatic tranny lags behind a few rivals that offer five or even six speeds,” Edmunds advises. They add, “We recommend that enthusiast-oriented drivers choose the manual transmission -- acceleration is sluggish with the four-speed automatic.” Automobile agrees, noting, “The manual transmission, however, is something Subaru needs to work on. Sure, the shifts are long (again, it's not a WRX), but the Impreza begs for a tall sixth gear.” EPA mileage ratings for this 2008 Subaru are 20/27 mpg. Fuel economy is “not stellar,” Automobile adds. On the topic of handling, Automobile reports, “In the pursuit of daily-driver comfort, the 2.5i is very lightly sprung, which, over most broken Michigan road surfaces, delivers a smooth ride - and copious amounts of body roll. It's nothing too obtrusive in mild city driving, but in harder cornering, the car wallows.” ConsumerGuide notes that "steering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharp as would be expected in a sporty car." The transformation from the previous car is missing something: “lost in the transformation was the Impreza's spunky personality,” Edmunds says. ConclusionThe 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon has sluggish acceleration and handling, a marked change from the previous car.  2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON STYLING | [7 out of 10] Automotive.com: "2008 models may disappoint some faithful fans" Cars and Driver: "fans of the old wagon might be disappointed" Kelley Blue Book: "looks fast standing still" Cars.com: "interior retains the car's businesslike austerity" ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The arch-nemesis of the 2008 Subaru WRX STI—whether on the street or a gaming screen—is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Compared to the STI, the Evolution is hard-edged, with a firmer ride, crisper handling in the tightest corners, and an intense, almost twitchy driving experience; comfort suffers a bit in the Evolution, as engine and road noise dominate relative to the WRX and STI, and the ride isn’t as settled. The MazdaSpeed3 and Caliber SRT4 are also worthy competitors to the WRX, but they’re both front-wheel drive and, thus, not as confidence inspiring. Also, neither one feels as refined as the WRX. The Audi A3 might be the closest competitor to the base WRX. It gives the WRX a run in safety protection, as it’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick; the A3’s 2.0T engine provides a very peppy, engaging experience. In addition, it has a larger interior and is more fuel-efficient than the WRX. Then there’s the new BMW 135i coupe, which boasts a 300-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine and comes in the same price range as the rally-tuned STI; in contrast, the 135i should be much more refined inside.

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See the Subaru Impreza in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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