18 May 07
10: Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon (1994-2001; 2001-2006)
Do you really need that high-riding, ostentatious 4x4? With the anti-SUV backlash gathering strength, perhaps it's time to consider a more traditional estate car. The compact Impreza wagon has a simple but effective full-time four-wheel drive system and good ground clearance, plus an excellent reputation for reliability.
The Impreza range is best known for the rally-bred, spoilered-up WRX turbo models, but these non-turbo versions are still a good drive, and have a much more sedate image. They're popular with people who live and work in the countryside, which tells you a lot.
Demand is strong, so they're not cheap, but prices are coming down now that the facelifted bug-eye models (from late 2005) are reaching the used market. The all-new Impreza, on sale in late summer 2007, should help push prices further down.
Road Test: Subaru Impreza (1994-2001)
Road Test: Subaru Impreza (2001-2006)
