1993-2001 Subaru Impreza - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	Subaru Impreza AWD sedan automatic Rating (See All Ratings)

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	4

Total Score:	39

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model

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1993-2001 Subaru Impreza Review

Replacing Subaru's aging Loyale, the subcompact Impreza came in 4-door sedan and station wagon form, with standard front drive or optional permanently engaged all-wheel drive. Sales began in spring of 1993. Both body styles came in L or step-up LS trim, and seated five. A driver-side airbag was standard; antilock braking standard on the LS. Sole engine at first was a horizontally opposed 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, developing 110 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard on base/L models; electronically controlled 4-speed automatic optional on the L (but standard on LS).

Year to Year Changes

1994 Subaru Impreza: Dual airbags went into 1994 Imprezas, and antilock brakes became available on L models (still standard on LS).

1995 Subaru Impreza: A 2-door coupe joined the other body styles for '95, and station wagons now came only with all-wheel drive. A 2.2-liter engine, borrowed from the Legacy, became available in 1995 models (automatic transmission only). Coupes and sedans came in three price levels: base, L, and LX (formerly called LS). Wagons came in L, LX, and a new Outback edition. Base and L cars had the 1.8-liter engine. Top-line LX models included the 2.2-liter engine with automatic and all-wheel drive. Targeting outdoor-oriented buyers, the Outback wagon had 2-tone paint, a roof rack, and mud guards.

1996 Subaru Impreza: In line with Subaru's growing emphasis on all-wheel drive, a "value-priced" Brighton AWD coupe joined the lineup, with 5-speed manual shift and the smaller (1.8-liter 4-cylinder) engine. Outback wagons now had the 2.2-liter engine and AWD as standard equipment. Base models were gone, leaving the L coupe and sedan as the sole front-drive offerings.

1997 Subaru Impreza: Front-drive and LX models disappeared, but the remaining Imprezas gained a bit of power and a mild facelift. All versions now had all-wheel drive. Automatic transmissions were limited to 2.2-liter models. A more aggressive Outback "sport-utility wagon" debuted, with a raised suspension, wider wheels with 15-inch tires, plus a bold hood scoop and vents.

1998 Subaru Impreza: Imprezas enjoy a mild redesign for '98. Gone is the 1.8-liter engine. New interiors feature larger gauges, new seat fabrics, and revised door panels. Also new is a 2.5 RS model. It comes only as a coupe and gets the 2.5-liter 165-horsepower engine from the larger Legacy model and a rear wing, gold-colored alloy wheels, a non-functional hood scoop, and a sport suspension.

1999 Subaru Impreza: Still the only small car with standard all-wheel drive, Impreza returned with few changes among its five models.

2000 Subaru Impreza: A sportier 2.5 RS sedan joined the lineup, with all-wheel drive like all Subarus and a 2.5-liter engine.

2001 Subaru Impreza: No significant changes were made for 2001. A new model was waiting in the wings for '02.

1993-2001 Subaru Impreza Road Test >

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