Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £12,730 to £30,350
Handling, ride, steering, gearchange, driving position, seats, grip.
Styling, interior quality, engine's thirst, emissions.
Excellent dynamic package, but the Impreza lacks the depth of quality to succeed as a premium alternative. It remains an eccentric choice.
The rally-bred Subaru Impreza was the cult car of the 1990s but its success was based on one model, the Turbo. For the majority of the motoring public, the rest of the range faded into anonymity. This was a problem for Subaru. While the success of its sports saloon was a wonderful fillip, the desired halo effect failed to permeate to the standard car. The brand was in danger of becoming simply a niche player. With the arrival of the new Impreza, therefore, Subaru has consciously shifted the emphasis away from its sporting flagship towards the rest of the range. At the same time, it has attempted to imbue the mainstream 2.0 GX tested here with some of the spirit of the Turbo, both aesthetically and dynamically. Like all Subarus, it offers full-time four-wheel drive, while the horizontally opposed boxer engine is another eccentricity shared only with Porsche.
There are three models on offer: the entry-level 1.6 TS, the 2.0 GX and, topping the range, the WRX. All three are available as either a four-door saloon or a more sober-suited five-door sports wagon, which costs an extra £500, model for model. The 2.0-litre model is also available with an automatic gearbox, which increases the price-tag by £1000.
