2011 Subaru Impreza Trims and Specs

As the base trim in the range, the 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i sedan serves up a healthy dose of all-wheel-drive (AWD) value. Featuring Subaru's trademark symmetrical AWD system, the 2011 Impreza 2.5i is a strong performer on slick roads.

The 2011 Impreza 2.5i's horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, another Subaru tradition, develops 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Though not especially refined, the large "boxer" four sits low in the car, contributing to the Impreza 2.5i's agile handling. Acceleration is decent with the five-speed manual transmission, but less than impressive with the optional four-speed automatic, not surprising considering the extra friction that the AWD system adds to the driveline.

Interior appointments in the 2011 Impreza 2.5i are comfortable, if not especially luxurious. Standard air conditioning is supplemented by cloth seats, power windows, locks, and mirrors, and keyless entry. A four-speaker CD stereo is provided, along with cruise control. Options include satellite radio, exterior foglights, and body-side moldings.

A compelling alternative to crossover SUVs, the 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Hatchback offers buyers plenty of utility. The Impreza Hatchback's spacious five-door body and standard all-wheel drive can compete head-on with the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV, yet the Subaru wears a much lower pricetag.

Like all Imprezas, the 2011 2.5i Hatchback is powered by a four-cylinder engine that fires in a horizontally opposed "boxer" arrangement. With 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque on tap, the 2011 Impreza 2.5i Hatchback squirts swiftly through traffic. Responsiveness is helped by the slick five-speed manual transmission, but hindered by the optional four-speed automatic, a poky gearbox whose ratios are too few and too widely spaced.

The spacious interior of the 2011 Impreza 2.5i Hatchback can carry five passengers and 19 cubic feet of cargo. Six-way manual cloth seats are standard, as are air-conditioning, keyless entry, and a four-speaker CD stereo. Options include a cargo management tray for the luggage compartment, body side moldings, and exterior foglights.

With all-wheel drive (AWD) and plenty of value standard, the 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium sedan occupies a unique place in the market. Impreza 2.5i Premium buyers will love the benefits of Subaru's symmetrical AWD system, which greatly enhances traction on both wet and dry roads.

Though it's styling is conventional, perhaps too much so, the 2011 Impreza 2.5i Premium still features Subaru's charmingly quirky engineering underneath the skin. A horizontally opposed "boxer" four-cylinder engine sends power to the wheels via either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Though not as smooth as the inline fours used by more conventional competitors, the 2.5-liter, all-aluminum engine develops 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, revving with a spunky enthusiasm that's missing from a Corolla or Elantra. Acceleration is good, though automatic-equipped Impreza 2.5i Premium's are hampered by a lack of gears. Fuel economy is only fair, mainly due to the added viscosity of the AWD system.

Interior features in the 2011 Impreza 2.5i Premium include standard power accessories, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, keyless entry, and a 6-speaker CD stereo with Bluetooth phone connectivity. Options include heated mirrors, a power sunroof, and a (somewhat chintzy) removable TomTom navigation system.

The 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium Hatchback offers five-door utility and all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction without the bulk associated with an SUV. Though hatchback cars don't often sell well in America, Subaru has carved out a nice niche along with other manufacturers like Saab and Mazda. While the sedan version of the Impreza ends up looking a bit staid, the Hatchback model has more cohesive styling.

Like all Imprezas, the 2011 2.5i Premium Hatchback is powered by a flat-four engine. This unusual arrangement, in which the cylinders fire in opposite directions, results in a low center of gravity and good power, though glassy-smooth idle quality isn't on the menu. 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque are on tap, and the Impreza 2.5i Premium Hatchback accelerates smartly. Both five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are offered.

Interior trimmings are a step up from the base Impreza. The 2.5i Premium Hatchback features a 6-speaker CD stereo with Bluetooth phone connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and keyless entry. Options include a cargo management system, a power sunroof, and heated seats.

Available only as a five-door hatchback, the 2011 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport appeals to buyers with a hankering for the outdoors. Riding on a raised suspension and featuring Subaru's trademark all-wheel drive, the Impreza Outback Sport sticks to the road like glue and can handle some light off-road duty.

Powering the 2011 Impreza Outback Sport is Subaru's unconventional horizontally opposed "boxer" engine. Displacing 2.5 liters, the large flat four makes a healthy 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, but also a fair bit of vibration at idle. A standard five-speed manual transmission makes the most of the engine's torque; buyers can instead choose a rather plodding four-speed automatic gearbox that does nothing to improve the Outback Sport's fuel economy.

The 2011 Impreza Outback Sport's exterior benefits from a two-tone paint scheme, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, and a standard roof carrier rack. Interior appointments include plush cloth seats with standard heating, a 6-CD changer with Bluetooth connectivity and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Other luxury features include a standard power sunroof and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob.