Picture Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza Sedan | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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According to Subaru the Impreza line has been completely redesigned from the ground up for 2008 and they have also attempted to lower the pricing, with a new starting price of $20,695 for a fairly well-equipped vehicle.
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Of course like all Subarus the Impreza gets Subaru’s all-wheel drive system as standard — which makes the base price of $20,695 even more impressive. The Impreza is powered by a boxer flat four engine producing 170hp and 170lb/ft of torque; in standard form, this engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission but my tester is optioned with a four-speed automatic — an $1,100 option.
That’s all she wrote in terms of options on my tester. So here we have a base model Impreza with automatic transmission, with standard features such as cruise control, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning and ABS with electronic brake distribution.
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The hatchback or wagon version of the Impreza looks quite different than the previous generation, but in all honesty the sedan has not changed radically. A few changes I noticed immediately were the framed windows on the doors — previously only the Tribeca sported window frames — fold down rear seats as standard, and a new dash layout.
Some of the quirks are gone, like the parking light switch on the top of the steering column, while some things stay, such as the headlights that automatically turn off with the ignition. It will be fun this week attempting to spot the differences between this new generation and the old — did Subaru really change that much? I guess we’ll see.
2008 Subaru Impreza Sedan
MSRP as tested: $21,795
For more information on Subaru and the Impreza visit Subaru Canada
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Well, today I’m going to focus on what is different or not so different about this new 2008 Impreza. Some of you may know that I used to own a 1993 Impreza — by no means are these vehicles comparable but I can see similarities, which proves to me even though Subaru claims this is a redesign from the ground up, it really is more of an evolutionary design.
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The dash layout is new but not necessarily better; I find the radio controls to be rather on the small side and as all current Impreza owners know, the base radio used to be rather dismal. You’ll be glad to know this hasn’t changed.
The HVAC controls are nothing to get excited about either, unless you have amazing vision and tiny fingers. Why all the buttons are so small I do not understand. It seems the interior of the Impreza has stayed rather stagnant over the years, or perhaps has even gotten worse. The aesthetic appeal of the interior has improved, though, with a nice swoopy design on the dash and well laid out gauges.
A few people asked me about this vehicle today as they were somewhat interested. When you go over the features and the price of the vehicle you come to the realization that it really is good value. And, when you start to realize what other vehicles provide the same features at the low price point of $20,695, if becomes apparent what Subaru has done with this redesign: provide good value for the money. Oh, and all-wheel drive (AWD).
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This new generation of Impreza has been criticized for being too soft when compared to the previous version. The ride certainly is softer but I’m not sure that is a bad thing. The suspension feels like it is working better than in previous generations, soaking up road imperfections and not transmitting them to the driver.
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Even though the rear brakes are no longer discs the car comes to a stop just fine with the drums in the rear; you would be hard pressed to know by driving it, that’s for sure.
Acceleration hasn’t changed all that much and the four-speed automatic is kind of a fun killer for a car like this. Initial throttle tip in is quite aggressive and gets you off the line fast, but as the revs climb so does the noise, but not so much the acceleration. When cruising around, the transmission tends to upshift to save fuel but then if any passing power is needed there is quite a long pause before it downshifts two gears to get you moving.
The sport mode on the automatic makes city driving more enjoyable as less shifting occurs, but I’m sure this is at a cost to fuel economy as well. Shifting the transmission manually works rather well and furthers my belief that this car would be really fun with the manual transmission, and much more peppy. That said, the Impreza’s acceleration is nothing to sneeze at and it certainly feels quick enough around town to not disappoint.
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I averaged 9.8L/100km with mostly city driving along my usual routes - yet again. This is the same fuel mileage I achieved in the more peppy Solstice GXP last week with a heavier foot. There still is that penalty to be had for driving all four wheels all the time but for many it is worth it — it certainly is when driving in the first good snow fall of the season.
Subaru has made its highest-volume car more mainstream and less quirky. Even though the interior is still rather plain, people like getting power windows and door locks and side airbags and anti-lock brakes all for the low low price of $20,695 — that’s good value. Sure, Subaru may have cut some corners here and there with plastic sun visors instead of cloth covered ones, but many won’t care.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Subaru Impreza Sedan
MSRP as tested: $21,795
For more information on Subaru and the Impreza visit Subaru Canada
September 18, 2007, 11:22:08 pm
Will be interested to know how the automatic feels (sluggish?, peppy?)
+ 1. The previous one felt slooww.
September 18, 2007, 11:28:43 pm Isn't this the same transmission as the previous-generation Impreza?
September 19, 2007, 12:23:10 am Is the new Impreza lighter than the previous gen? Hopefully that will help out with acceleration.
September 19, 2007, 12:35:34 am
I thought the engine/tranny were from the last Legacy?
September 19, 2007, 02:55:19 am I'd be interested in hearing about the differences too. I posted that very question not long ago and got no answer. So, keep those notes coming!
September 19, 2007, 11:17:07 am It's great pricing IMO.
The black door handles are
September 19, 2007, 12:41:56 pm The engine is tweaked (the torque curve is different) the 4 speed is the same as the old one. Which is kind of outdated with only 4 speeds. 5 or 6 would help with the fuel economy.
Also the disk brakes in the back has be replaced with drums. Bad idea since everyone else seems to have disks now a days.
September 19, 2007, 12:49:56 pm I hate the look of the car. Subaru normal do such a nice job, but not this time OMG.
What car wert too impressed with this car either. Funny these cars are held to such high esteem here in Canada. Where as in the UK they consider this car a cheap motor. I find that weird. Anyway lets see, if Wing thinks the interior is cheap and nasty.
AGAINST Cabin plastics are nasty, and it has a bouncy ride, average performance and high running costs
September 19, 2007, 12:53:22 pm
What car wert too impressed with this car either. Funny these cars are held to such high esteem here in Canada. Where as in the UK they consider this car a cheap motor. I find that weird. Anyway lets see, if Wing thinks the interior is cheap and nasty.
AGAINST Cabin plastics are nasty, and it has a bouncy ride, average performance and high running costs
September 19, 2007, 01:00:21 pm The local dealer is charging $2000 above MSRP for this car. Shocking.
They've been on the dealer's lot for a little while now, but I haven't seen any on the street yet. Surprising, as Ashland is a Subaru town.
September 19, 2007, 01:01:29 pm Honestly I'm not sure why they bothered with such a dramatic restyle.
All they needed was a pricing drop, five cogs, and a new interior. They hit 2/3 here, but the styling is -1 and some other issues too, whats this about rear drum brakes and softened suspension I've heard about?
September 19, 2007, 01:40:30 pm Do you think the Germans really wished they had it??
September 19, 2007, 01:41:30 pm
All they needed was a pricing drop, five cogs, and a new interior. They hit 2/3 here, but the styling is -1 and some other issues too, whats this about rear drum brakes and softened suspension I've heard about?
I have driven a slush box Impreza hatch and I did not notice much difference to my wife’s 2006 wagon.
September 19, 2007, 01:49:32 pm
Nope.
September 19, 2007, 01:53:45 pm
All they needed was a pricing drop, five cogs, and a new interior. They hit 2/3 here, but the styling is -1 and some other issues too, whats this about rear drum brakes and softened suspension I've heard about?
*cough* Toyota's influence *cough*
September 19, 2007, 01:54:50 pm
All they needed was a pricing drop, five cogs, and a new interior. They hit 2/3 here, but the styling is -1 and some other issues too, whats this about rear drum brakes and softened suspension I've heard about?
I have driven a slush box Impreza hatch and I did not notice much difference to my wife’s 2006 wagon.
You mean in terms of suspension? Hrm, well I am trying to go by a hazy memory of a thread which I admit I read over quickly.
September 19, 2007, 08:58:51 pm
aftermarket sunroof
http://www.webasto-us.com/press/en/am_auto_sunroofs_497.html
September 19, 2007, 11:04:18 pm The Webasto roof I had installed in my Forester was great - better than the factory roof on the Golf which preceded it.
September 20, 2007, 05:40:27 am
All they needed was a pricing drop, five cogs, and a new interior. They hit 2/3 here, but the styling is -1 and some other issues too, whats this about rear drum brakes and softened suspension I've heard about?
I have driven a slush box Impreza hatch and I did not notice much difference to my wife’s 2006 wagon.
You mean in terms of suspension? Hrm, well I am trying to go by a hazy memory of a thread which I admit I read over quickly.
Yes, suspension. I’m trying to take a WRX for a test but they keep laughing at me.
September 20, 2007, 11:33:22 am I actually bought the sports model with $1500 lower than the MSRP. Rear break is disk as well. I am not feeling much powerful than my replaced 106HP Civic in terms of acceleration. I just wish I had bought the WRX model instead. Suspension is bumpy as it is sports model, but my wife told me it doesn't feel as bad in the rear seat (comparing to the Mazda CX-7 we tested drive before). Overall, I am somehow happy with the ride. Average gas consumption is 11/100km mixed hw and city.
September 20, 2007, 11:53:15 am The price for base model is lower than 07 but you lose 4 alloy wheels, rear disc brake (this is a strategy so folks would look at and spend more $ to buy next model up). The curtain airbags are nice to be seen in the whole lineup however.
Maybe I shouldn't complain because a while ago folks wondered and complained why they would do away with the 'Brighton' versions which were bread and butter and seemed popular.
September 20, 2007, 12:47:39 pm CHEZ 106...brings good memories of my Gatineau youth !
September 28, 2007, 02:59:43 pm I only hope they make the sedan into an STI. God, I hate the look of the wagon version.
September 28, 2007, 03:01:19 pm Nope, rumors and spy shots suggest it will be a hatch! But have you seen shots of that hatch?
September 28, 2007, 05:22:32 pm
Me too, but the dealer is "nope, all sold, sorry." Keep a demo, boys? Guess they're selling well...