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2009 Subaru Impreza Review

September 30, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the rear end of this car makes me think they hacked the back off a wagon, slapped on a trunk and called it a day
NADA Guides

stylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapes
Los Angeles Times

far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity
Cars.com

While reviewers are simply lukewarm about the 2009 Subaru Impreza sedan's styling, the hatchback (or wagon, depending on who you ask) is a subject of greater controversy.

“Up front, this Impreza 2.5GT has the distinctive Subaru styling, complete with large hood scoop to feed the top-mounted intercooler. The front end is not for everyone, especially the scoop, but I feel it works and it is definitely a necessity to feed the engine, keep the turbo spinning happily and letting me get the most out of all 224 hp,” says NADA Guides of the new 2.5GT. However, the problem is at the back, where “the rear end of this car makes me think they hacked the back off a wagon, slapped on a trunk and called it a day.”

Automobile Magazine says the styling isn't unattractive, but it won't steal the spotlight, either: “While most of the exterior is shared between the sedan and hatchback models, the sedan gets rather frumpy aft of the rear doors. The LED taillights found on the hatchback are nowhere to be found, replaced by lights that, at best, are simply anonymous.” Edmunds calls the appearance “controversial” and “not because the Impreza looks bad in a Pontiac Aztek sort of way, but because it doesn't look like, well, a Subaru.” The Los Angeles Times deems the Impreza “stylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapes.”

Automobile Magazine feels the wagon model is "a little more attractive than the sedan, but looks exactly like another car that sells incredibly well—the Mazda." In fact, although it is considered a station wagon, it does not particularly look like one; Cars and Driver reports this five-door 2009 Subaru "looks more like a traditional hatchback this time around, so fans of the old wagon might be disappointed."

According to Automotive.com, the Subaru 2009 "cabin is more subdued than before, with no embroidered logos to remind occupants what they're sitting in, [and] trim is a metal-ized silver plastic." Cars.com notes this Subaru 2009 interior is "far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity." Automobile Magazine observes, “We're not asking for a SoHo lounge, but Subaru could stand to make the car's interior slightly more inviting.” Cars.com considers this Subaru 2009 interior "far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity."

Conclusion

The 2009 Subaru Impreza wagon is by most accounts somewhat generic outside, but the interior look is likable.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the rear end of this car makes me think they hacked the back off a wagon, slapped on a trunk and called it a dayNADA Guidesstylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapesLos Angeles Timesfar more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerityCars.com While reviewers are simply lukewarm about the 2009 Subaru Impreza sedan's styling, the hatchback (or wagon, depending on who you ask) is a subject of greater controversy. “Up front, this Impreza 2.5GT has the distinctive Subaru styling, complete with large hood scoop to feed the top-mounted intercooler. The front end is not for everyone, especially the scoop, but I feel it works and it is definitely a necessity to feed the engine, keep the turbo spinning happily and letting me get the most out of all 224 hp,” says NADA Guides of the new 2.5GT. However, the problem is at the back, where “the rear end of this car makes me think they hacked the back off a wagon, slapped on a trunk and called it a day.” Automobile Magazine says the styling isn't unattractive, but it won't steal the spotlight, either: “While most of the exterior is shared between the sedan and hatchback models, the sedan gets rather frumpy aft of the rear doors. The LED taillights found on the hatchback are nowhere to be found, replaced by lights that, at best, are simply anonymous.” Edmunds calls the appearance “controversial” and “not because the Impreza looks bad in a Pontiac Aztek sort of way, but because it doesn't look like, well, a Subaru.” The Los Angeles Times deems the Impreza “stylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapes.” Automobile Magazine feels the wagon model is "a little more attractive than the sedan, but looks exactly like another car that sells incredibly well—the Mazda." In fact, although it is considered a station wagon, it does not particularly look like one; Cars and Driver reports this five-door 2009 Subaru "looks more like a traditional hatchback this time around, so fans of the old wagon might be disappointed." According to Automotive.com, the Subaru 2009 "cabin is more subdued than before, with no embroidered logos to remind occupants what they're sitting in, [and] trim is a metal-ized silver plastic." Cars.com notes this Subaru 2009 interior is "far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity." Automobile Magazine observes, “We're not asking for a SoHo lounge, but Subaru could stand to make the car's interior slightly more inviting.” Cars.com considers this Subaru 2009 interior "far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity." ConclusionThe 2009 Subaru Impreza wagon is by most accounts somewhat generic outside, but the interior look is likable. 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON STYLING | [7 out of 10] NADA Guides: "the rear end of this car makes me think they hacked the back off a wagon, slapped on a trunk and called it a day" Los Angeles Times: “stylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapes” Cars.com: "far more inviting than ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Two affordable alternatives to the Impreza are the Volkswagen Rabbit and the Suzuki SX4 Crossover. The Rabbit doesn't have all-wheel drive, but it's loaded with safety features, a peppy five-cylinder engine, and a well-appointed interior, while the little SX4 Crossover is the lowest-priced vehicle with all-wheel drive, performs well, and has an interior that feels more upmarket than its price. The Toyota Matrix is a good alternative, with available all-wheel drive, a relatively roomy interior, and a good ride. But the Matrix doesn't perform as ably as the Impreza, and safety items like side airbags are optional on the Matrix. The Dodge Caliber offers all-wheel drive as an option on its top R/T model, but the Caliber has a noisy interior and feels cheaper inside; Subaru shoppers might not find its styling very appealing either. And for those who miss the former Impreza's edgier handling and sharper feel, the Mazda3 and Lancer deliver, but in both counts, engine and road noise can be quite obtrusive.

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See the Subaru Impreza in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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