2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

"The 2008 Subaru Impreza Wagon and Outback Sport wagon abandon the more upright style that carried it through the early part of the decade; its replacement shape is egglike and controversial to some, though to TheCarConnection.com it's a fresh look in a class of me-too entries. "The restyled Impreza is meant to appeal to a more mainstream audience," Edmunds says. "A more controversial aspect, however, is the car's exterior styling. Not because the new Impreza looks bad in a Pontiac Aztek sort of way, but because it doesn't look like, well, a Subaru." Automobile 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 2008 Subaru "looks more like a traditional hatchback this time around, so fans of the old wagon might be disappointed." The Los Angeles Times calls the new Impreza "stylistic chloroform, boring and generic Asian shapes." Kelley Blue Book simply states the 2008 Subaru Impreza "looks fast standing still, in spite of its somewhat utilitarian five-door configuration." Cars.com notes the cosmetic differences that appear on the Outback Sport version: "it features a two-tone appearance, with the lower section of the body a contrasting grayish, silver hue." (The four-door Subaru Impreza sedan--and the high-performance Subaru WRX and STI--are covered separately.)

The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagons sport a much richer, much more elegant interior along the lines of the large Tribeca SUV, which also gets restyled for 2008. According to Automotive.com, the Subaru 2008 "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 2008 interior is "far more inviting than before, but it retains the car's businesslike austerity." Automobile observes, "We're not asking for a SoHo lounge, but Subaru could stand to make the car's interior slightly more inviting." Mother Proof declares that "the look is a little cheap," but Edmunds feels "the Impreza looks and feels more grown-up than ever before.""

"The 2008 Subaru Impreza hatchbacks do well in crash tests, with the top five stars for frontal impact and four- and five-star results in side impact from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), plus top "good" results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for both front and rear impact. It's also a Top Safety Pick, as deemed by the IIHS.

Electronic stability control and incline start assist are included in the Outback Sport or with the Premium Package but not otherwise available on the 2.5i wagon. Anti-lock brakes are standard, along with front side airbags and side curtain bags. Cars.com says that all 2008 Subaru Imprezas "include an impressive array of safety features," such as "six airbags and active head restraints are standard." Other standard 2008 Subaru safety equipment includes "front disc and rear drum brakes...on 2.5i models." Optional Subaru 2008 safety equipment, according to Cars.com, includes "an electronic stability system" and "optional antilock braking system upgrades."

According to MyRide.com, "oddly shaped rearmost pillars intrude in the [Subaru 2008] outward vision a bit, but only when the rear seats are folded; when up, the rear seat head restraints block the pillars.""

"The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon uses a single engine and standard all-wheel drive, and turns in only average acceleration and handling.

Automobile reports that the Subaru 2008 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found on base-model Imprezas "survives largely unchanged from the previous generation Impreza, albeit with a slight bump in horsepower and torque...power is up to 170 hp at 6000 rpm, torque climbs to 170 lb-ft, and the torque peak has fallen, from 4400 rpm to 4000 rpm," which is "enough to move the car along just fine in most driving scenarios." The base 2008 Subaru Impreza is hampered by its bulk, unfortunately; this Subaru 2008 model's "curb weights are hefty for a compact, and performance is tepid as a consequence," according to Car and Driver.

Cars.com says a "five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic with a manual-shift mode is optional, [and] all-wheel drive is standard." The four speeds of the automatic fall out of favor with reviewers. "With just four cogs to work with, the automatic tranny lags behind a few rivals that offer five or even six speeds," Edmunds advises. They add, "We recommend that enthusiast-oriented drivers choose the manual transmission -- acceleration is sluggish with the four-speed automatic." Automobile agrees, noting, "The manual transmission, however, is something Subaru needs to work on. Sure, the shifts are long (again, it's not a WRX), but the Impreza begs for a tall sixth gear."

EPA mileage ratings for this 2008 Subaru are 20/27 mpg. Fuel economy is "not stellar," Automobile adds.

On the topic of handling, Automobile reports, "In the pursuit of daily-driver comfort, the 2.5i is very lightly sprung, which, over most broken Michigan road surfaces, delivers a smooth ride - and copious amounts of body roll. It's nothing too obtrusive in mild city driving, but in harder cornering, the car wallows." ConsumerGuide notes that "steering feel is responsive, if not as razor sharp as would be expected in a sporty car." The transformation from the previous car is missing something: "lost in the transformation was the Impreza's spunky personality," Edmunds says."

"The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagon scores with reviewers on improved quality, but its compact size offers less interior space than some rivals.

Seats are more supportive and comfortable than in most other inexpensive sedans, and there's enough space for two average-size adults in the backseat, though knee space and legroom are a bit tight. "Subaru says the interior offers greater backseat headroom and more shoulder and headroom up front," Cars.com reports. 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 thinks "the seats are supportive for long hauls."

A switch in suspension design gives the Impreza wagon "a wider cargo space," Edmunds reports. ConsumerGuide adds that it's "more versatile with good space behind the rear seats," and Car and Driver says it has "great storage space for a compact." The cargo area is smaller than expected, though; while the backseats fold flat to expand the cargo floor, with them up in place, usable space is quite limited due to the sloped rear window.

In terms of interior quality, the 2008 Subaru Impreza takes a step forward and a step back. While ConsumerGuide reports that 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 Mother Proof says "the plastic interior was my biggest beef with this car. The controls feel light and breakable." Automobile comments, "Fit and finish for most surfaces is fine, but we're perplexed at the use of coarse plastics on the shift knob and steering wheel, the two places drivers touch most often."

According to ConsumerGuide, Subaru 2008 "wind and tire noise are moderate at highway speeds...the turbocharged engine whines under full throttle but it's more relaxed at cruising speeds.""

"The 2008 Subaru Impreza wagons are more plushly equipped than Subarus of recent memory.

The Impreza wagon is offered in two different models: the 2.5i and the 2008 Subaru Outback Sport. The 2.5i starts quite basic and includes air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows and locks, and an MP3-compatible CD sound system. The Premium Package adds four-wheel disc brakes, fog lamps, steering-wheel audio controls, and an upgraded 10-speaker sound system with an auxiliary jack. Sirius Satellite Radio and a navigation system are available together as a package.

The 2008 Subaru Outback Sport brings a more rugged look and some enhanced ability, thanks to a raised suspension, larger wheels, and standard electronic stability control. The Outback Sport also gets special side molding, bumper underguards, heated side mirrors, fog lamps, a wiper deicer, heated seats, and the 10-speaker audio system.

Cars.com reports more features that include "dual-mode heated front seats"; 2008 Subaru "manual transmission models get the incline start assist, which prevents the car from rolling backward on a hill."

According to Kelley Blue Book, 2008 Subaru options include the "Navigation Package, which adds a touch-screen GPS system and Bluetooth capability." Automotive.com reports that Subaru 2008 stand-alone options "include body molding colors various deck-lid spoilers, a battery warmer, a subwoofer and power amp for the base audio system, and XM or Sirius satellite radio hardware.""