For 2011 the compact Subaru Impreza remains an offbeat choice for buyers seeking an alternative to the ubiquitous Civic or Corolla. The smallest Subaru sees strong sales in Northern regions, where its standard all-wheel-drive comes in handy, and among performance-oriented buyers who find the turbocharged Impreza WRX model to be a real kick.

Subaru offers the 2011 Impreza as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Despite America's longstanding preference for cars with a trunk, the Impreza hatchback sells quite well, undoubtedly due to the utility provided by its cavernous cargo area. Both Imprezas are rather conventionally styled compared to Subarus of yore. A smoothly integrated front fascia flows nicely into a sharply raked windshield, and the side panels feature a creased character line that runs the length of the car. While inoffensive and handsome, the regular Impreza just doesn't have enough styling flair to set it apart from the pack. The sporty WRX model, however, gets enough flares, scoops and spoilers to look like it means business.

The 2011 Impreza comes in a myriad of trim levels. The base model is dubbed the Impreza 2.5i and at under $18,000 is competitively priced to do battle with the big boys from Honda and Toyota. Despite its low price the Impreza 2.5i gets such standard niceties as power windows and locks, a single-CD stereo and six airbags. Stepping up to the 2.5i Premium trim nets buyers 16-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded stereo with 6-CD changer and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The outdoor-themed Impreza Outback Sport raises the suspension for better ground clearance and also adds 17-inch wheels and a roof rack. The penultimate Impreza is the 2.5GT, which adds a turbocharged engine along with such interior goodies as automatic climate control and heated seats. Finally, the Impreza WRX gets an even more powerful turbo motor plus a new-for-2011 body kit with flared fenders and a more aggressive front bumper. Premium and Limited versions of the WRX are also available and further upgrade the level of equipment on offer.

Despite the proliferation of trims, the 2011 Impreza's mechanical packages are quite straightforward. The 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Outback Sport all feature the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. In keeping with Subaru tradition, this motor features an unusual horizontally opposed Boxer arrangement that keeps the center of gravity low. With 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, the base motor provides plenty of oomph, provided you select the right transmission. The standard five-speed manual gearbox offers sprightly acceleration and smooth, progressive engagement. Unfortunately, buyers who can't drive stick will be forced to accept a four-speed automatic transmission that is missing a gear or two compared to the competition and saps power significantly.

Subaru graces the 2011 Impreza 2.5GT trim with a turbocharged version of the base flat-four that churns out 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque. While the increase in thrust is welcome, the lack of a manual transmission in this trim means buyers are stuck with the plodding four-speed automatic. Those looking for maximum performance from their Impreza will want to step up to the WRX trim. For 2011 this turbocharged demon serves up 265 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is breathtaking, provided the highly strung turbo motor is kept on the boil. The only transmission offered in the Impreza WRX is the slick five-speed manual, but unfortunately with so much power on tap this gearbox also suffers from a lack of ratios.

All-wheel drive is a Subaru hallmark, and all 2011 Imprezas are equipped with the company's excellent Symmetrical AWD system. Manual-transmission models use a viscous center differential that sends power simultaneously to all four wheels, increasing the front/rear torque split when slippage is detected. Imprezas equipped with the four-speed automatic rely on a slightly different system that utilizes a computer-controlled clutch to deliver power to the wheels that have the most traction. With either system the Impreza offers impressive grip on slippery surfaces.

With a standard four-wheel independent suspension plus the road-gripping traction of AWD, it's no surprise that the 2011 Impreza corners confidently. The front strut-type and rear double-wishbone suspension endows all Impreza trims with buttoned-down handling. Its low center of gravity and extra traction means that even a base 2.5i corners with far more enthusiasm than an average economy car. The Impreza Outback Sport gets a jacked-up ride height to deal with the occasional foray off-road, while the sporty WRX gets stiffer shocks and large anti-roll bars at both ends.

The 2011 Impreza's interior features plenty of sensible design and is pleasantly rendered in high-quality materials. Ergonomics are straightforward, and the clearly marked ancillary controls are a breath of fresh air. The seats are quite comfortable and firmly bolstered, especially in the performance-oriented WRX, though the low-down driving position takes some getting used to. The high level of standard equipment means even Impreza 2.5i owners won't feel as if they're driving a stripped-down penalty box.

Standard safety equipment in the 2011 Impreza includes front, side and curtain airbags, along with advanced seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters. All Imprezas feature four-wheel disc brakes with ABS plus standard stability and traction control. In government crash testing both the Impreza sedan and hatchback earned five stars for the driver and passenger in frontal impacts. In a simulated side impact, the Impreza received a five-star rating for the front seats and a four-star rating for the rear.

With its combination of value and performance, the Subaru Impreza is a worthy competitor to more established small cars. The determining factor for buyers is likely to be the all-wheel-drive feature. Buyers residing in sunnier climates should realize that the added weight and friction of the AWD system hampers the Impreza's fuel economy, which, at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, is less than stellar. Those who live in the snow belt, however, will find the extra traction to be worth its weight in gold.