What I liked about the Subaru Impreza 2.5GT:
- Standard all-wheel-drive and ESC offer peace of mind
- Power to spare
- Good fun to drive
What I didn't like:
- Dull styling
- Lousy fuel economy
- Oddly-shaped trunk
- Not worth the price premium over lesser Impreza models
Who should buy the Subaru Impreza 2.5GT:
Wannabe WRX buyers who can't drive a manual transmission
Who should not buy the Subaru Impreza 2.5GT:
Everyone else
Details and specs:
- Body style: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback
- Seating capacity: 5
- Trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5GT, WRX, STI
- Price range (including destination and options): $18,190 - $39,490
- Test vehicle/price as tested: Impreza 2.5GT, $27,690
- Base engine: 2.5 liter horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, 170 hp @ 6,000 RPM, 170 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM (2.5i)
- Optional engine: 2.5 liter turbocharged horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, 224 hp @ 5,200 RPM, 226 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm (2.5GT); 2.5 liter turbocharged horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, 265 hp @ 6,000 RPM, 244 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (WRX); 2.5 liter turbocharged horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, 305 hp @ 6,000 RPM, 290 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm (STI);
- Premium fuel required? Yes (all except 2.5i)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual (2.5i, WRX), 6-speed manual (STI), 4-speed automatic (2.5i, 2.5GT)
- Driveline: Front engine, all-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 20 MPG city, 27 MPG highway (2.5i manual), 20/26 (2.5i automatic), 19/24 (2.5GT), 18/25 (WRX), 17/23 (STI)
- Where built: Japan
- Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control
- Optional safety equipment: None
- Major standard features: Power windows/mirrors/locks, CD player, air conditioning
- Major options: Automatic climate control, 6-disc CD changer, heated seats, wiper de-icer grid, sunroof, navigation system
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, 5 years/unlimited mileage outer-body rust-through
- Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles roadside assistance
Best rivals:
The vehicle featured in this review was provided by Subaru.
