2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Wagon

With more cargo room than its sedan counterpart, the 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Wagon is a versatile and sporty all-wheel drive compact wagon with a 2.5-liter H4 that gets upgraded to 173-hp this year.  It also receives side airbags, a new airplane-inspired front end, and dual-stage deploying front-side airbags.  Unlike the sedan, the rear seats in the 2006 Impreza 2.5i wagon split-fold to expand a 27 cubic foot cargo area to an impressive 62 cubic feet.  A roof rack, cargo cover, and tow hooks are included, and a trailer hitch (to tow up to 2000 pounds) can be added.

All-wheel drive is combined with a limited slip center differential, independent suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, 4-wheel ABS brakes, and electronic brakeforce distribution.  Skid plates, foglights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror can be added.  Front sport seats, a full power setup, wheel-mounted audio controls, a CD player, temperature display, intermittent wipers, and leather knob trim are standard.  A security system can be added, along with a rear spoiler and a CD changer.  The wagon gets around 23/28 mpg and earns four stars in crash tests.  Complaints mention engine and wind noise, poor quality of interior materials, and fuel economy, but most drivers love the handling and AWD performance, along with the ample storage space.