2003 Subaru Impreza: Road Test
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2003 Subaru Impreza ▼
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- MSRP: $17,695 -$25,295
- Invoice: $16,279 -$23,107
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Our road test for the 2003 Subaru Impreza includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Subaru Impreza from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Subaru Impreza, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Subaru Impreza help you decide if a 2003 Subaru Impreza is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Imprezas with 2.5-liter engine no balls of fire, but around town and on the highway, move out sufficiently with either transmission. WRXs are fast--6.4 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission in our tests--but suffer tepid throttle response below 3000 rpm. Standard AWD negates torque-steer pull on hard takeoffs. Manual shifter demands a firm hand to select the desired gear--and frequent use for maximum go.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 5 | 6.5 |
Test WRX sedan averaged 20.5 mpg in mixed driving with performance testing--respectable for the rapid acceleration. Extended-use WRX wagon averaged 21.0 mpg over its 17,264-mi. test, which included mostly highway travel. Impreza 2.5 models use regular fuel; WRXs require premium.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.4 |
Satisfyingly stable at highway speeds, but no Impreza is absorbent on sharp bumps, and WRXs are choppy even on fairly smooth roads. Tires onall slap and thump over tar strips and expansion joints, an intrusion more pronounced with the 16-inch tires.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 8 | 8 | 5.3 |
Helped by AWD and accurate steering, all models feel more agile than the subcompact-car norm. WRX changes direction with outstanding stability, though tire grip doesn't match cornering ability. Stopping power strong enough, but brake-pedal feel on test models was numb, with inconsistent modulation.
QUIETNESS
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.7 |
Fairly relaxed medium-speed cruisers, but engines note intrudes at high rpm, and WRX turbo moans like a vacuum cleaner on light throttle. Ever-present tire drone rises sharply on coarse pavement, and one test car suffered marked transmission whine.
CONTROLS
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
Primary gauges and controls are fine. Momo-brand steering wheel and metal-look interior trim reinforce WRX's competition image. Fabrics, plastics, general finish OK, but below those of class-leading VW Jetta/Golf. And doors close with tinny clang, as does sedan's trunklid.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
Six-footers have OK head room, but rearward seat travel limited for the long-legged. All Imprezas have tilt steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat. WRX adds bolstered bucket seats providing secure lateral location in aggressive cornering, though not all testers find a satisfying wheel/seat/pedal relationship.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
Slightly roomier than like-sized subcompacts. Head room enough for those up to 5-ft-11, but tight knee/leg space behind a like-size front occupant. Entry/exit hampered by fairly deep step-down, narrow floor-level passageways, and doors that should open wider.
CARGO ROOM
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2 | 7 | 3.8 |
Sedan trunklid opens wide to a moderately sized hold. Wagon swallows most anything a car like this would normally carry. Sedans have rear center pass-through, wagons a more useful 60/40 split fold seat. Interior storage a bit lean.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 5.4 |
Impreza is generally priced above Honda Civic in Volkswagen Jetta territory. But workmanship and refinement are not up to the "premium small car" level Subaru claims for the Impreza. Still, AWD is an asset for any model, and WRXs are fast--if rowdy--fun.
Total Score
| 2.5 TS wgn, auto | WRX sdn, man. | WRX wgn, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 49 | 55 | 47.2 |
Total Score: 50
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