2009 Subaru Impreza Review

Subarus are one of those makes that people either love ... or hate. For the love 'em crew, they have probably driven one, maybe even in treacherous weather where the AWD tends to shine, and the practical balance of form and function offered by Subaru impresses them. As for those folks that hate 'em, well, they either judge the book by the cover or they have no interest in outstanding drive characteristics and extreme standard safety features. Maybe they prefer to take the train? To each his own, but I sure wouldn't mind owning a Subaru.

I recently tested the new 2009 Impreza 2.5 GT. As a fan of the Impreza WRX, one of my favorite cars from 2008, I had some high expectations for the Subaru that now placed GT after its nomenclature. Other Impreza trims include: 2.5i and STI.

With the 2009 WRX achieving star status and adding more power and additional body options, this new 2.5 GT garners all that was the old WRX with an additional stash of great optional equipment loaded on board. And that's a really great thing because this is an extraordinarily fun vehicle to drive. If you ever wonder if there is still some kid left in you, drive this and you will know for certain.

The 2.5 GT is available as either a sedan or a mini wagon. Leaving no doubt that you are driving the 2.5 GT is the massive hood scoop. Virtually every person who asked about this car while I had it asked about the hood scoop. And while it gets plenty of attention (part of the appeal), it also really works to bring air into the engine's intercooler, which feeds the turbocharger that provides the extra boost, which makes this so much fun.

The 2.5 GT is powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Impreza 2.5i. This manipulation of air delivers the GT an extra 54 horsepower and 56 pound-feet of torque over the 2.5i. A big downside to the GT was the requirement of Premium fuel. At about 20 mpg city, that's not so impressive (so it had better be fun).

The GT is only offered in a 4-speed automatic. Performance enthusiasts will claim that taints the fun factor, and I would say they are correct. I mean really, the competition is playing with six-speed automatics now and something calling itself a GT is stuck with a four-speed. That's a problem. The 2.5i and WRX have a five-speed manual as optional and standard. Yet, with this seemingly short hand dealt to it, the Impreza still impresses.

Once inside the Impreza 2.5 GT, you will not be blown away by very much. The cabin is all pretty commonplace in its approach to gauges and dials; simple is better in my book and Impreza gets an A for that. Audio and climate controls were easy to operate.

Seating comfort is better than average with good sightlines for the driver and plenty of front row legroom and headroom. Second row passengers had no complaints though it is a little more snug back there.

One problem I had, and it is usually a problem more associated with bottom dwellers in the entry levels, is hard plastic surfaces. Why a car that costs more than $27,000 has patio pool plastic door panels and dash treatments is beyond me. Subarus enthusiasts have always been able to look past this issue, given the extras outdoing the others in the class, I can, too.

All Subarus have a real commitment to safety by offering standard all-wheel drive, standard antilock brakes, and standard electronic stability control. Base price is $27,690 with an EPA fuel economy of 20 city mpg, 24 highway mpg.

It is really hard to compare this Subaru to other compact sedans because few have standard all-wheel drive and electronic stability control. It is fair to say most of the competition is lower priced, some by as much as $10,000, but I wouldn't want to be in a Chicagoland blizzard in any of those cars.