Nicolas B

Reviewed a 2010 Subaru 2.5i Hatchback on Nov 20, 2009

Performance: The performance of the 2.5L boxer engine are pretty good for a compact car. The accelerations are okay and there's enough power to overtake on the higway without being scared. The sound of the engine is amazing, I love the metallic growl it does. The manual transmission is not very precise, but is nice to manoeuver. The AWD system is probably the best feature of this car, it's not a fake AWD (like on the Matrix/Vibe), it's a REAL one... This means, the 4 wheels are always turning. Also, you can disable de traction control to drift during the winter! Build Quality: The build quality is correct, but nothing more. Everything is well built, but the materials are really crappy (hard plastic everywhere!). But it's a compact and Subaru reduced the price of the Impreza since 2008, so they had to cut somewhere! At least, it doesn't feel like it's gonna fall apart like old Ford and GM trim from the '90s. Since it's plastic everywhere, there are some rattles and squeaking sounds when it's cold. I drove it on REALLY bad roads and the car feels very solid! Appearance: I love the appearance of this car, the tail lights are my favorite piece of design. I also love the fact it's a hatchback, I hate sedans! The interior is a little bit "beige" but it's not as bad as a Corolla per say. Everything is placed accordingly and you don't need to read the owner's manual to understand what the buttons and knobs do (unlike in an Acura). I also like the Impreza because it's kinda exclusive, it's not a Mazda 3 or a Honda Civic. Cost of Ownership: Amazingly, the base model is pretty cheap. Mine is a rental and it was cheaper than a Honda Fit or a Mazda 3, mainly because of the low interest rates and the resell value (which is pretty high). Insurance wise, it's also cheap because it's considered as a compact (if I'd bought the WRX, it would have been a different story). The gas mileage is okay. Because of the AWD system, it's higher than any other compact, but you won't have as much fun during the winter with another car! Fun Factor: Amazingly fun to drive during the winter or any harsh climate. The AWD system is great and keeps the car in the right way.