For the off-road, outdoor activity version of the Impreza Sport Wagon, see Subaru Outback. For the high-performance versions of the Impreza, see Subaru Impreza WRX and Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that was first introduced by Fuji Heavy Industries in 1993 after the popular Leone/Loyale was cancelled with the aging EA series engine. The Impreza was introduced with the popular EJ series engine found in the larger Subaru Legacy. In Japan, the Impreza sells more than the larger Legacy due to Japanese vehicle size legislation, which offers a reduced tax liability because of its smaller exterior dimensions.
Compared to vehicles in a similar size class such as Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Suzuki SX4, Mitsubishi Lancer (including Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution) and Mazda Protegé/Mazda Axela, only the Impreza has always offered AWD. Subaru Impreza made this feature standard equipment in all trims, while its competitor, Mitsubishi Lancer puts this feature to Ralliart trims and Evolution versions. Subaru produces a lower volume of slightly upscale, well-equipped, sportier Impreza models, unlike other contemporaries in the compact category that offer no-frills base trims.
Subaru chose to continue their longstanding use of the boxer engine in the Impreza. According to Subaru, their configuration of the engine inline with the transmission minimizes body roll due to the lower center of gravity compared with offset engines in most other vehicles. This is similar to the design of the Citroen 2CV, providing light weight and compact, economic design for basic cars. The boxer design provides good vibration mitigation due to the principles of a balanced engine because the movement of each piston is largely countered by a piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter-rotating weighted crankshaft (harmonic balancer), but with some vibration from offsets. Torque steer is also reduced with this type of powertrain layout since the front drive shafts are of equal length and weight.
First generation - "GC"/"GF"/"GM"
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be called the Loyale, displaying an official photograph of the 4-door sedan. In late 1995, a two-door coupe was introduced. The Impreza, like many Subaru-built cars, was equipped with a flat engine, a distinguishing Subaru characteristic. Initial engine choices included 1.6 L, 1.8 L and 2.0 L naturally aspirated engines as well as the turbocharged and intercooled 2.0 L engine. The basic turbocharged motor, the EJ20, produced from 179 kW (243 PS; 240 bhp) to 210 kW (286 PS; 282 bhp) in Japanese market WRX trim depending on model and year. Outside Japan, the turbocharged model was initially rated at 155 kW (211 PS; 208 bhp) and marketed as the 2.0 Turbo, 2.0 GT, 2.0 GT Turbo, 2.0 WRX, or Turbo 2000 AWD in the United Kingdom.
European Subaru Impreza Wagon
1997-2001 Subaru Impreza
1999 Subaru Impreza RS coupe
Second generation – "Bug Eye, Blob/Peanut Eye, Hawk Eye" / "GD"/"GG"
Subaru introduced the "New Age" Impreza to the world market in 2001. The second generation Impreza was intended to be larger, safer, stiffer, more refined, and more responsive. The WRX Sedan had a 20 mm (0.8 in) wider track than its predecessor to aid handling, while the wagon remained the same. The coupe model was no longer available. The headlamp styling of the New Age Impreza was polarizing, but the improvements to the car brought greater mainstream acceptance.
For quick and easy reference to the different exteriors, some Subaru Impreza owners use nicknames based on the headlights. Each relates to a creature that has similar looking eyes - models, years 2002–2003, are called "Bug Eyes", years 2004–2005 are called "Peanut Eyes" or "Blob Eyes", years 2006–2007 are called "Hawk Eyes", and models, years 2008-2011, are called "Shark Eyes".
2004
Models offered in Australia in 2004 included the GX (2.0 L engine, this model has become the baseline Impreza in Australia), RV (2.0 L engine, styled for active lifestyles, similar to the USA-spec Impreza Outback Sport), RS (2.5 L engine, sport model) along with the WRX and STi version thereof. The RX model has been abandoned in Australia, and its position in the Impreza line-up has been subsumed by the GX (which had formerly been a sparsely outfitted budget model). A variant of the RS for Australia is the RS-X, which whilst technically not a naturally aspirated version of the WRX as is often claimed, does feature many WRX components, including wheels and brakes, in a package powered by the 2.5 L drivetrain.
2004 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
2005–2007
In late 2004 a new range was released; including the entry-level 2.0i (formerly GX), RV, 2.0R (formerly RS), WRX and WRX STi models. The 2.0R changed from a 2.5 L engine to a slightly more powerful 2.0 L engine; while the turbocharged WRX changed from a 2.0 L engine to a 2.5 L engine. The automatic transmission was dropped from the WRX, despite the popularity of the sports shift automatic in other Subarus such as the Outback. In 2006 the automatic transmission was added to the Limited package, which includes heated leather seats, power mirrors, heated wiper blades and a sunroof. Side airbags were added as standard across the range. Subaru Impreza WRXs have been bought by French Gendarmerie for its Motorway patrols. At the New York Auto Show, Subaru introduced a new WRX.
2006–2007 Subaru Impreza Luxury sedan
Third generation - "GE"/"GH"/"GR"
On 2 April 2007, Subaru officially unveiled the next generation Impreza WRX at the 2007 New York Auto Show. In contrast to its usual rival, the Mitsubishi Lancer, the Impreza WRX is increasingly being positioned as a 'practical' performance car - the suspension for instance is more accommodating of everyday roads. Similar to the marketing of the Lancer, Subaru plans to offer a lower volume of slightly upscale, well-equipped, sportier Impreza models, unlike other contemporaries such as the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Toyota Corolla that offer no-frills base trims. The new Impreza is offered as both a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback.
2008–2009 Subaru Impreza R sedan
The new base model Impreza is slightly longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase. The dashboard in the Impreza is much more open and is easy to configure. Two Subaru traditions have been ended with the new Impreza: the parking light switch atop the steering column is no longer present, and for the first time the windows have frames to improve NVH levels.
2008 Subaru WRX
Fourth generation
The fourth generation Impreza was unveiled on 20 April 2011 at the New York Auto Show, as its predecessor was, with a launch scheduled for autumn of the same year. It will be primarily an evolutionary design, remaining nearly the same size but being lighter and more fuel efficient and featuring a host of technical improvements as well as better packaging (Leading to greater interior space), higher quality materials in the interior, and new styling sharing a family resemblance with the fifth generation Subaru Legacy. The last-generation high-performance WRX variants will continue production until new versions are released at an unspecified date. It has been announced that the new Impreza will be built, in Japan, and not Indiana. There was also reported that the XV, which is based on this generation Impreza, will likely to be assembled in Malaysia next year. The 2012 American Subaru Impreza might be affected by the assembly plant shutdowns in Japan because of the March 2011 Earthquake and power shortages.
2012 Subaru Impreza at the Australian International Motor Show held at the Melbourne Convention Centre
Motorsports
The Impreza chassis has been more successful in rallying than Subaru's previous contenders. Prior to the introduction of the Impreza into World Rally Championship racing in 1993, the Subaru World Rally Team had fielded its larger mid-size Legacy. However, with the rest of the rally competition increasingly shifting towards smaller and lighter chassis, Subaru introduced the smaller Impreza, immediately achieving a podium on its debut on the 1993 1000 Lakes Rally. To jumpstart its early rally efforts, and to develop the Impreza into a competitive rally car, Subaru teamed up with its current preporatory firm, British motorsports company Prodrive, in 1989.
Subaru Impreza WRC2006 rally car.
Immediately following the first overall WRC event win for both the fledgling Subaru team and its young driver, the late Colin McRae aboard a Group A Legacy on the 1993 Rally New Zealand, the Scotman's team-mate and childhood idol, 1981 World Rally Champion, Ari Vatanen of Finland, went on to finish second in the debut rally of the first ever factory Impreza. New recruit for the following season, 1990 and 1992 World Champion, Carlos Sainz brought the Impreza its inaugural victory on the 1994 Acropolis Rally.
2012 Subaru Imprezza