The 2009 Subaru Impreza has a lot going for it once again, including standard all-wheel drive, both front and rear seat roominess, a stable of fiesty turbo engines, excellent crash test scores, and impressive handling capabilities in the WRX and WRX STI models.
And new for 2009 is a firmed up suspension and an additional 41 ponies for the high-performance WRX. Also, the WRX is now available with a standard transmission only. The previous automatic is now the Impreza 2.5 GT. New for the base Impreza models are standard four-wheel disc brakes, stability control and Subaru's incline start assist or "hill-holder" feature for manual transmission versions.
The 2009 Subaru Impreza is offered as either a compact sedan or a four-door hatchback. There are five trims, consisting of the 2.5 i, Outback Sport, 2.5 GT, WRX and WRX STI.
Standard Features And Options:
Standard features on the already well-equipped base 2.5 i models include full power accessories, cruise control, air conditioning, a CD/MP3 player, tilt steering and 16 inch steel wheels.
There's an optional premium package that adds a power sunroof, foglights, alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with audio controls) and shift knob, and an upgraded ten-speaker sound system with a CD changer and an auxiliary input jack. Satellite radio and navigation are additional options offered to those opting for the premium package.
The Outback Sport is available in the hatchback/wagon body style only and comes standard with most of the 2.5 i's premium package features, plus a raised suspension for increased ground clearance, a chrome grille, heated outside mirrors, two-tone exterior coloring, heated front seats, unique cloth upholstery, a windshield wiper de-icer, and 17 inch alloy wheels,
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Impreza Prices:
There's just no question that dealers have been struggling for a while now ... which means this is an ideal opportunity to nail down a great deal, often below invoice prices, sometimes far below.
See the link at the bottom of this article for exactly how to get the lowest price on a new Subaru Impreza.
The new 2.5 GT model is basically last year's WRX with an automatic transmission. It features a 224 horsepower turbocharged engine, 17 inch alloy wheels, foglights, electroluminescent gauges, heated front seats, power sunroof, and automatic climate control.
The Impreza WRX is equipped with a 265 horsepower turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned suspension, high-performance tires on 17 inch alloy wheels, an aero body kit featuring front and rear spoilers and side ground effects, sport front seats, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls.
Optional on the WRX is a premium package that adds the upgraded audio system, heated front seats, heated side-view mirrors, a power sunroof, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
The most performance-oriented model, the WRX STI, gets even more power, a short-throw six-speed manual shifter, front and rear limited-slip differentials, SI-Drive (allows the driver to modulate throttle response), Brembo brakes, unique body styling, an upgraded suspension, 18 inch alloy wheels, aggressive sport seats, Alcantara upholstery, and a CD changer.
Optional packages for the WRX STI are the BBS package which includes BBS wheels and foglights, and the BBS and navigation package which adds a navigation system, a trip computer and Bluetooth connectivity.
Engines And Performance:
All Impreza models are all-wheel-drive. Powering both Impreza 2.5 i and Outback Sport models is a horizontally opposed 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Powering the Impreza 2.5 GT is a more thrilling turbocharged version of this engine that delivers 224 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque.
The WRX also has a 2.5 liter turbo engine but it increases output to 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft of torque. Still more powerful is the WRX STI engine that's rated at 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft. It goes from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and flies through the quarter-mile in just 13.3.
Transmissions for the 2.5 i and Outback Sport offer a choice between a five-speed manual with incline start assist or a four-speed automatic with manual shift control. The 2.5 GT is automatic only while the WRX is five-speed manual only. The Impreza WRX STI is the only model with a six-speed manual.
The EPA gas mileage estimates for non-turbocharged, manual-shift 2009 Imprezas are 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The automatic transmission reduces mileage by 1 mpg on the highway for the base models while the 2.5 GT is rated at 19 mpg city and 24 highway.
Gas mileage for the WRX is rated at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while the WRX STI comes in at 17 city and 23 highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all Imprezas are antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
In government crash tests, the Impreza scored a perfect five stars for driver and passenger frontal and front side impacts and four stars for rear side impacts.
Price:
How To Buy A New Subaru Impreza At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Impreza, here's a technique that buys one at the lowest possible price, especially given the current slow economic environment.
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