 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport hatchback. Click image to enlarge |
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Article by Chris Chase; photos by Greg Wilson and Haney Louka
First introduced in 1993, the Subaru Impreza underwent a number of updates through the years. The most notable, at least in North America, came in 2002, with the introduction of the turbocharged WRX. But for the model range as a whole, the first full-on redesign didn’t happen until 2008.
This third-generation car was larger and more refined than the one it replaced. Subaru stuck to its previous formula, however, offering this latest Impreza in sedan and hatchback forms, and with none other than its well-known horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and “symmetrical” all-wheel drive system. (The turbocharged WRX and STI models were carried over as well, but these cars will be covered in a separate review.)
All Imprezas used a 2.5L, four-cylinder engine shared with the brand’s Forester, Legacy, and Outback models. For 2008, this motor made 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission was a five-speed manual that could be optioned to a four-speed automatic.
Other standard stuff in 2008 included 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering, power windows/locks/heated mirrors, and keyless entry; the hatchback got a standard rear wiper.
 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i sedan. Click image to enlarge |
A Sport package added alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, upgraded stereo with auxiliary input, fog lights, windshield wiper de-icer, stability control, leather-trimmed steering wheel. and heated seats. Again, the hatchback got a few extras, including ground effects, cargo tonneau cover, and roofline spoiler.
The 2009 model added stability control, four-wheel disc brakes, auxiliary input and body-colour door handles as standard, while the Sport model added a power sunroof, satellite radio, plus a body kit and spoiler for the sedan.
Subaru added a Limited trim for 2010 that brought 17-inch wheels, automatic climate control, iPod and USB integration, and rally-style leather seats.
And in 2011, Subie added a Convenience package that included alloy wheels, upgraded stereo, Bluetooth, iPod and USB integration and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The Sport and Limited packages were revised slightly to reflect the addition of the Convenience model.
 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i sedan. Click image to enlarge |
Owing to its relatively large engine (for a compact) and all-wheel drive, the Impreza’s fuel consumption ratings were higher than other compact cars’. Natural Resources Canada’s 2009 estimates of 10.6/7.5 L/100 km (all figures city/highway) with a manual transmission and 10.4/7.6 with the automatic were typical for this third-generation model.
Subaru’s non-turbo 2.5L engine (a motor the Impreza shares with the Legacy, Outback and Forester) has an unfortunate history of head gasket problems. Here’s a discussion at SubaruForester.org about a 2010 engine design update that some believe will eliminate the leaky cylinder heads the 2.5L is known for.
 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport hatchback. Click image to enlarge |
The second post in this thread suggests that the head gaskets used in the WRX and STI’s turbocharged motors use a better head gasket that is interchangeable with that in the non-turbo 2.5L motor in 2005-and-newer Imprezas. The idea here is that using that more robust gasket would prevent future leaks.
In other used Subaru reviews (like this Forester article, and this one about the Legacy), I’ve written about how the newest models in each case showed no signs of leaky gaskets, and that perhaps Subaru had addressed the problem. Nuh-uh — the real reason is that most owners’ cars hadn’t showed symptoms of leaky gaskets yet. While neither Consumer Reports nor TrueDelta.com report any head gasket troubles in 2008-and-newer Imprezas, I would not rule out the possibility of trouble in the future as the engine ages.
Here’s an epic 18-page discussion on 2.5L engines with leaky head gaskets. Fast-forward to page 14 or 15 to read posts made in the last couple of years.
   2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport hatchback. Click image to enlarge |
A chirp/squeal or “pssht” sound is caused by the air conditioning compressor. In a best-case scenario, it’s the drive belt slipping on the pulley when the compressor clutch engages. Worst case, the noise is from the clutch itself and means it’s time to replace the compressor.
There are many mentions of spun crankshaft bearings (essentially a failed bearing caused by a low oil level, among other things) in Impreza engines, but it seems that most of these are the turbocharged motors in the WRX and STI. All the same, it appears that this engine, too, is sensitive to having the proper amount of oil in the crankcase.
The Impreza performed well in crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the car its best “Good” rating in frontal offset and side impact tests. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Impreza got five stars in every test, save for rear seat side impact protection, where it scored four stars.
A true apples-to-apples comparison of the Impreza’s resale values means lining it up against the few other compact cars that offer (or have offered) all-wheel drive. That relatively short list includes the Toyota Matrix, Suzuki SX4 and Dodge Caliber (though the Dodge’s AWD option disappeared after 2008), and the Impreza is pricier than all of them. I’d argue it’s worth the extra cost if only for the extra refinement it boasts next to the Toyota and Dodge, and the interior space bonus compared to the Suzuki.
(The AWD Pontiac Vibe was gone before this third-gen Impreza arrived; the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart was AWD too, but its turbo motor was more of a match for the WRX, not the base Impreza.)
I wouldn’t call this the best-looking Impreza, but this third-generation version was the best all-around car, offering more refinement and interior space than its predecessors. It’s a well-made car too, and a better one than the redesigned 2012 model, which feels less substantial. If you set your sights on a used Impreza, choose one with detailed service records that show the head gasket have been done recently. Either that, or negotiate a price that leaves enough money in your pockets to have them replaced, because they probably will fail at some point.
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Pricing
Black Book Pricing (avg. retail) April 2012:
Online resources
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