The Subaru Impreza 2.5i boxer is the cheapest AWD equipped sedan on the U.S. market with a base price of $17,640. The redesigned and reengineered 2008 Impreza comes in both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic, and gets a fuel economy rating at 20/27 city/highway from the EPA, which stinks in this fuel conservation age, but apparently isn’t too shabby for a small car with AWD.
The engine brain programming software has been tweaked to slightly higher torque, from 166-170; and set the peak torque to a lower engine speed of 4000 from 4400. Horsepower takes a minor dip to 170.
The five-speed manual has easy shifting, with typical Subaru quick-clutch uptake. A comfortable rear suspension is added but still won’t fulfill your dream of racing over a bump at 60 without feeling anything. The new rear suspension contains control arms that replaced the strut-type setup used on previous models, offers more cargo space, and better rear grip.
The Impreza is wider in its wheelbase, and longer, giving it 94.4 cubic feet of passenger volume. Everything is roomy, with a well laid out, human convenient interior. The Impreza 2.5i also comes with a five-door hatchback form.
They also remodeled the exterior adding sheetmetal in place of the past slab-sides, giving it a conservative look that should offend no one.
Our take? The 2.5i isn’t an STI and taking it as such is a fool’s errand. If you want a real road burning car, expect to dig out another extra twenty grand for a WRX STI. But if you decide you want the sedan, keep in mind, the Impreza 2.5i comes with AWD, which you may, or may not need. Just don't use Palmolive in the gas tank.