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2009 Subaru Impreza Quality Review

September 30, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

six-footers have good headroom and legroom
ConsumerGuide

comfortable and well appointed
NADA Guides

The controls feel light and breakable
MotherProof

Reviewers are mostly positive—though not beaming—about the interior of the Subaru Impreza. However, several mention the cut-rate feel of some of the cabin materials.

Interior space is quite impressive. MyRide.com remarks, "front seats in the [Subaru 2009] Impreza 2.5i are very good. Although all the adjustments are manual, there are plenty of them, including a ratcheting seat height adjustment." ConsumerGuide comments that rear seat room is "average for the class...six-footers will fit in back but they'll have barely adequate legroom, and knee space." Edmunds confirms “the wheelbase has been extended…to increase rear seat legroom” and “there's also more interior width for passengers.” ConsumerGuide says "six-footers have good headroom and legroom," and Automobile contends “the seats are supportive for long hauls.”

"With my seat all the way back, a passenger could still fit behind me, as long as they were not also over six feet tall. The steering wheel felt good in my hands and everything is within easy reach of the driver,” reports NADAGuides.

Automobile Magazine describes this Subaru 2009 interior as "well laid out with everything easy to read and reach," and Automotive.com perceives it as "less confining, perhaps more airy, than the previous generation."

When reviewers assess how it all feels, review comments turn less positive. ConsumerGuide reports that though the "cabin materials look nice, they're comprised mainly of cheap feeling, hard plastic...the 'mouse fur' headliner is particularly cut-rate." The tester at MotherProof says "the plastic interior was my biggest beef with this car. The controls feel light and breakable." MyRide.com, however, attests that "this Subie bucks that trend with an interior mostly free of annoying noises. At speed there is some wind noise around the mirrors, and there is enough road noise filtering through the car to let you know you're under way, but neither is particularly bad." ConsumerGuide asserts that the 2.5GT's engine "doesn't have any turbo noise, but its overall sound is not as refined as class pacesetters.”

Conclusion

Materials aren't impressive and the 2009 Subaru comes up short on backseat room, but overall refinement is impressive.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:six-footers have good headroom and legroomConsumerGuidecomfortable and well appointedNADA GuidesThe controls feel light and breakableMotherProof Reviewers are mostly positive—though not beaming—about the interior of the Subaru Impreza. However, several mention the cut-rate feel of some of the cabin materials. Interior space is quite impressive. MyRide.com remarks, "front seats in the [Subaru 2009] Impreza 2.5i are very good. Although all the adjustments are manual, there are plenty of them, including a ratcheting seat height adjustment." ConsumerGuide comments that rear seat room is "average for the class...six-footers will fit in back but they'll have barely adequate legroom, and knee space." Edmunds confirms “the wheelbase has been extended…to increase rear seat legroom” and “there's also more interior width for passengers.” ConsumerGuide says "six-footers have good headroom and legroom," and Automobile contends “the seats are supportive for long hauls.” "With my seat all the way back, a passenger could still fit behind me, as long as they were not also over six feet tall. The steering wheel felt good in my hands and everything is within easy reach of the driver,” reports NADAGuides. Automobile Magazine describes this Subaru 2009 interior as "well laid out with everything easy to read and reach," and Automotive.com perceives it as "less confining, perhaps more airy, than the previous generation." When reviewers assess how it all feels, review comments turn less positive. ConsumerGuide reports that though the "cabin materials look nice, they're comprised mainly of cheap feeling, hard plastic...the 'mouse fur' headliner is particularly cut-rate." The tester at MotherProof says "the plastic interior was my biggest beef with this car. The controls feel light and breakable." MyRide.com, however, attests that "this Subie bucks that trend with an interior mostly free of annoying noises. At speed there is some wind noise around the mirrors, and there is enough road noise filtering through the car to let you know you're under way, but neither is particularly bad." ConsumerGuide asserts that the 2.5GT's engine "doesn't have any turbo noise, but its overall sound is not as refined as class pacesetters.” ConclusionMaterials aren't impressive and the 2009 Subaru comes up short on backseat room, but overall refinement is impressive. 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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