2008 Subaru Impreza

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This week, Dave Jordan checks the 2008 Subaru Impreza:

I had driven the previous-generation Subaru Impreza and found it to be a versatile and competent compact with good build quality, decent road dynamics and superior all-weather capabilities. This car, however, was a bit rough around the edges with its raspy engine note and interior noise levels that, to some, may have been greater than desirable. Well, the newly released 2008 Impreza has gone to finishing school. Engine noise and vibration has been all but muted, interior decibel levels are lower and overall driving comfort enhanced. Things are looking up for Subaru’s sportiest offering with the quality quotient ratcheting up a notch or two. Thanks to Oregan’s Subaru for the opportunity to evaluate this newly minted 2.5-litre Impreza hatchback with the upgraded sport package.

Subaru has redesigned the Impreza from the ground up to try and attract a broader audience while maintaining its core areas of appeal. To that end the wheelbase has grown by almost four inches, increasing interior space for both front and rear occupants while upgraded materials, excellent fit and finish, and a modified wraparound dash design — highlighted by nickel finished accent pieces &mash; should satisfy those for whom sporty interiors are a must. The seats have been carried over from the previous car, which is a good thing since their support and comfort levels are top-notch. All minor control operations have a feeling of sturdiness and work with an up-market-like precision adding yet another essence of quality to the Impreza package. The 2.5-litre boxer engine and all-wheel driveline combination are a carry-over from the previous model with some minor tweaks done to the engine intake and exhaust systems that actually reduce power by 3 HP but increase torque by 4 lb-ft for an even 170 each. These changes net a torque curve that is almost flat, thus producing a more linear and usable output. By the way, the WRX’s power and torque figures remain unchanged (224 HP and 226 lb-ft), but are now available at lower rev limits generating more immediate and sustainable thrust from the turbocharged four.

The biggest change to the Impreza is obvious once you see one for yourself. There is virtually no resemblance to the last-generation cars with a completely new exterior styling for both the four-door sedan and, replacing the compact wagon, hatchback iterations. The new body panels take on a sleeker, taught, more unified appearance with the new front-end design eschewing the idiosyncratic bird-like features of the last-gen car. The redesigned beltline brings some familial resemblance to the Impreza by mimicking that of the much larger Tribeca. Rear-end treatment obviously has to be different between sedan and hatchback but Subaru took this a step further by giving the hatch unique, clear lenses and LED-style light fixtures adding a modern touch to this new look. The blistered fenders of the WRX are no more and the large rear wing and tack-on hood scoop have found their place in boy-racer heaven replaced with much smaller, more subtle devices.

Thankfully the attributes that made the previous model so appealing have remained intact. The driving experience is still involving even though the tactile feel has been subdued and refined somewhat. Steering response and turn in are still very good as is the Impreza’s cornering ability. Ride has also been improved with the switch from a multi-link rear suspension to a double-wishbone configuration. Gear shifts from the five-speed manual are crisp and precise with ratios nicely spaced to accommodate the revised engine output modifications. Noise levels are noticeably reduced with my seat-of-the-pants impression being that of a still competent but mellower persona.

Subaru’s claim to fame is its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system — now in its 35th year of production — that boasts a drivetrain layout with all components – engine, transmission, driveshaft and front and rear differentials – aligned close to the centre point of the vehicle. This gives every Subaru heightened stability and excellent weight distribution front to rear and side to side. Also aiding the battle against the laws of physics is the marginally lower centre of gravity achievable thanks to the removal of the front sub-frame. This modification has allowed the engine to be lowered even further on the chassis, thus creating greater stability.

Subaru promotes the Impreza as its sporty offering and, in WRX guise, this certainly is warranted. But a lot of people buy these cars because of their ability to get them to their destination safely in foul weather. Talk to anybody who owns a Subaru and they would have nothing else for commuting in our unpredictable winter weather. I didn’t have the opportunity to test the Impreza’s AWD abilities to their fullest but I did climb a fairly steep snow- and ice-covered hill with not a hint of spin from any of the wheels. This with all-season tires. no less. Impressive!

A base Impreza sedan starts at just under $21,000 (hatchback about a grand more) which, for an AWD vehicle, is a bargain in itself. Features such as A/C, cruise, tilt wheel, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, car alarm, six airbags, ABS with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), CD player with speed-sensitive volume control, a message centre and embroidered floor mats top the list of safety and convenience features. My sport package-equipped hatchback lists for $24,895 ($23,195 for sedan) and came with additional goodies such as heated front seats, 6 CD sound system, leather steering wheel and gear selector, aluminum wheels, traction control, a windshield wiper de-icer — which is really a great idea, rear disc breaks, fog lights, Subaru’s Hill Holder System (manual transmission), stability and traction control, and some body ground effects pieces (hatch only). The new WRX with its 224 HP turbo four and upgraded interior and exterior bits will set you back about 33 large for the sedan version plus another grand for the hatch.

You may lament the passing of the raucous demeanour and hard-core personality of the earlier Imprezas but the essence of what this car is still remains. It’s just in a much quieter, much calmer and much easier to drive fast package. I can’t wait to see what they do with the next STi version.

Dave’s Auto Archive — in 1994 Spanish Rally legend Carlos Sainz drove the Impreza to its first World Rally Championship win. Since then the Impreza has won three WRC driver's titles (1995, 2001, 2003).