2001 Subaru Impreza Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Subaru Impreza from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as a used buy.

Subaru Impreza is a small-medium car imported from Japan and one that has a well-deserved reputation for long life and high resale ratings. Subarus in general give the feeling they are designed by people who are more interested in engineering and driving than in marketing and over-the-top styling. Ride and handling

Think Impreza and you’ll most likely think of WRX, the red-hot rally-bred car that redefined affordable performance in the 1990s, but the Impreza is much more than that. The Impreza, on which the WRX is based, is a range of well-built small family cars including sedans and hatches made to serve much more ordinary motorists than performance-minded WRX owners.But the WRX has done wonders for the once invisible brand, to which it has brought a level of credibility that was once unimaginable. From a brand that was mired in the front-wheel drive mix Subaru, with the help of the WRX and a daring switch to all-wheel drive only, has become an icon brand that stands apart from the regular crowd.MODEL WATCH Once Subaru made the commitment to all-wheel drive across the range it had a unique point of difference that brought people to showrooms who might previously have simply dismissed it as just another front-wheel driver. Add to that the exploits of WRX on the world rally stage and there were lots of reasons to consider the Impreza when looking for a small car.Subaru offered the Impreza in four-door sedan or five-door hatch body styles; the latter looking more like a wagon than a hatch. Both looked a little frumpy, with rounded lines and dumpy proportions that gave them a rather plain appearance. As a result they tended to fade into the background, until 2000 that is, when the company unleashed the new model that everyone thought was ugly with odd-looking round headlights. So apparently did Subaru themselves as they rushed out a facelift that addressed the odd-looking front and made the Impreza much more attractive.Inside, it was a little snug for taller adults, but it had reasonable head and legroom for the class, and would swallow five at a pinch with three squeezed in the back seat.Apart from all-wheel drive Subaru also followed a different path with its engines, choosing to stick with a ‘boxer’ layout instead of following the more normal in-line engine layout.The bulk of the range had a single overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 92 kW and 184 Nm, to which buyers could couple either a five-speed manual ‘box or a four-speed auto. The RS joined the fleet in 2001 and brought with it a 2.5-litre motor that bumped the performance up to 112 kW and 223 Nm.Drive was directed to all four wheels as needed ensuring the Impreza had impressive grip in all conditions. A finely tuned chassis and powerful brakes gave the Impreza a solid road feel that inspired confidence in the driver.At the head of the Impreza pack sat the WRX, a high performance car by any measure. With a 2.0-litre turbocharged double overhead camshaft engine thumping out 160 kW and 290 Nm it had plenty of zip to keep most drivers on their toes. By 2005 the output of the engine had grown to 169 kW and 300 Nm, which kept it at the head of the performance pack.With a good-looking body kit, and big wheels, the WRX looked tough and was the benchmark for performance cars from the moment it hit the roads in the mid-1990s.IN THE SHOP Closely inspect the Impreza as many have been given a hard time by owners who would like to be driving a WRX, but can’t afford it.Cars used by families as regular transport generally stand up well and are rarely modified, but models like the RS often attract owners looking for a WRX look-alike and they often modify them. Check any modification for quality of workmanship and legality as some modifications can contravene the law and you end up sidelined by the police if checked.If well treated and properly serviced the Impreza will stand up well in service, so look for a service record.Be extra cautious when buying a WRX. Many of them have been driven hard, on the road and the track, so look for signs of competition use. Such things like holes drilled in the body for a roll cage and sports harnesses, fire extinguishers etc, and modifications to the engine and electronics are clues to a fast past.Also be wary of ‘grey’ imports, which have come into the country as a result of the popularity of the WRX. Most have little or no history on which to make a sound decision.IN A CRASH The Subaru had good active safety with all-wheel drive, but it didn’t get ABS anti-skid brakes across the range until 2001. Prior to that it was only the RX and WRX that had the safer braking system. Airbags for the driver and front passenger came in with the 1999 model RX, and followed on the other models in 2001. ANCAP rated the Impreza at three stars.AT THE PUMP Those models with the 2.0-litre engine will return 10-11 L/100 km in average round town driving, the RS will take around half a litre more. The WRX requires fuel even higher than PULP, even the 98 octane isn’t high enough to stop it pinging in some cases. Be prepared to pay for the best fuel possible.OWNERS SAY Adrian Nicolescu reckons his 2002 Impreza RS is a great all-round car. It's been slightly lowered, with an all-round body kit, 18-inch rims, low profile tyres (225/35), a Magnaflow exhaust with 2.5-inch drop down pipe and a JVC aftermarket CD/MP3 stereo with remote. Since purchasing the car he has upgraded to a Kenwood seven-inch DVD screen with a custom boot install to fit a subwoofer and amp, an IPod adapter to play and control music from the IPod, a high performance dry cycle battery to cope with power demands, K&N panel filter, front end stabilizer bar, and last but not least clear side indicators with bulbs and a light up Impreza badge mounted on the front of the grille. It has been a pleasure to drive he says. It handles nicely, performs well, and has great fuel economy. For a medium-sized bloke he feels snug inside the compact cabin, but well supported in the bucket seats.Nick Tan has owned his 2004 Impreza for a year and has found it a real treat to drive in all conditions. The AWD makes for great handling, it’s powerful enough and is comfortable for both long and short trips. The interior is well laid-out and the bucket seats are a nice bonus. He has not had any problems at all, but says it can be a little thirsty and expensive if you're using the recommended premium unleaded.Ken Lynch bought a 2002 Impreza RX Sedan new. During the time he owned it he had a trouble free run. He replaced the battery after five years and fitted new tyres at 69,000 km. The styling of the 2002 model was a matter of debate, but it was a joy to drive.LOOK FOR • Good reliability• Solid build quality• snug interior• Good drivability• Boxer engine a little harsh• Good resale• ModificationsTHE BOTTOM LINE Solid, well-built small car with a performance edge, but beware those abused.VERDICT 75/100

When a cult car comes up for renewal it's a huge event, and the arrival of the new-age Subaru WRX last October was no exception. The 2001 WRX is bigger and better, though it doesn't have the hard, nasty edge of the original. It's a pity the new WRX, nicknamed Bugzilla because of its bulging nose, overshadows the rest of the fresh Impreza family.The ordinary Impreza has done a great job for Subaru and its customers, and the new car is an important move forward. The 2001 Impreza is bigger and more comfortable, with an up-grade in basic engineering. It still comes with Subaru's signature "boxer'' flat-four engine and all-wheel drive, but almost everything has been improved in some way.The latest range opens with the GX sedan, good value at $25,470 and moves through the RX to the shotgun WRX. There is a four-door sedan or a compact wagon, though Subaru still calls it a hatchback. It is a five-door hatch, but most people will see it as a wagon.The change to the new Impreza is a landmark for Subaru, which has had some tough times over the past 10 years, but still managed to succeed in Australia.There was a time when its cars were stripped down to battle a strong Yen, but recently it has led Japanese car manufacturers through four-wheel-drive success and also upgraded its image. That means even the basic GX comes with anti-skid brakes, twin airbags, remote central locking, cruise control, CD player, fog lamps and twin trip meters. The RX picks up air-conditioning, sports seats, alloys and a leather sports wheel, with prices from $29,990.The WRX and Subaru's world rally program have helped, but the basic Impreza shows the company has a solid foundation for the 21st century. The GX and RX come with a fairly basic engine that produces 92kW of power and 184Nm of torque, hooked up to a slick five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto with a driver-friendly shift pattern - not one of the gimmicky F1-style changes.The cabin is a little bigger in most directions, and Subaru has mounted the front seats a bit higher to get extra foot space in the back. But there's only one big cup-holder in the centre of the dash, not a pair, and the aluminium-looking plastic looks cheap.The curvy new Impreza body came as a shock last year, especially to WRX fans, but it is getting accepted and the new look lets the car stand out in a crowd - important in an era when so many cars could be clones.Subaru's work runs deep, right down to body-coloured mirrors on all models - many rivals run basic black on their cheaper cars - and even a new style of door handle. But it faces a tough job as Holden's Astra and Vectra are setting the pace for smaller cars. Honda has its new Civic hatch, Ford is about to fight back with a revitalised Laser, and even the VW Golf is about to get a big push from a new factory-owned importer.DRIVINGTime with the WRX is always fun, and the new car is better balanced in turns - even if it feels a little slower in a straight line. It doesn't work the outside-front tyre as hard as the original, which means better cornering grip, and it is more relaxed and less frenetic to drive. But it's the other Imprezas that need a deeper dip, so I've been in GX and RX wagons and sedans to get a proper feel for the car.The best place to start is with the GX auto, which will be popular. The car is comfy and quiet, with a great ride and plenty of equipment. The auto bumps up the price, as will the optional air-conditioning, but the rest of the deal, especially the brakes, airbag and CD, are impressive for the price.The engine is nothing special, with a typically Subaru pull from the bottom end, but not much up top. It's an engine that works well with an automatic, especially with the latest shift pattern, though the manual helps the economy and is fun.The basic seats are supportive, the driving position is good and the level of trim and plastics is a bit more substantial than the previous Impreza. But, and it's a worry for Subaru as it is for Honda with the latest Civic, there were some squeaks and rattles in the test cars.The Impreza has always been a personal benchmark for production line finish, but not now. The GX was a little better than the more expensive RX, with a smoother ride and less road noise, possibly due to the taller tyres with less-aggressive tread.The all-wheel drive is something I almost take for granted, but it means the Impreza is more versatile for weekend work and ahead in lousy weather. All the cars need better headlamps, something Subaru doesn't do as well as its rivals or a Commodore. But it is easy to get in and out of the cars and there is plenty of space for adults in the back and luggage in the tail. The wagon (or hatch) isn't a huge load carrier, but provides some welcome flexibility.Compared with its rivals, the Impreza is value for money, but doesn't have the strength or speed to match the Astra. Its 2-litre engine gives it the edge over the Laser, and the Golf, which has a baby engine and a grown-up price. It's newer and more impressive than the Corolla.After driving the whole family of new Imprezas, from the basic GX sedan to the crackerjack WRX, I'm still split on the verdict. The car is better than the old one, but there were quality glitches that you don't expect with a Subaru. It should be a four-star car, and the GX just gets them on value, but it's only a three-star step forward.SUBARU IMPREZA GX AUTOPrice: $27,840 as testedEngine: 2-litre four cylinder with single-overhead camshafts and fuel injectionPower: 92kW/5600revsTorque: 184Nm/3600revsTransmission: Four-speed auto, all-wheel driveBody: four-door wagonDimensions: length 4405mm, width 1695mm, height 1440mm, wheelbase 2525mm, tracks 1460/1460mm front/rearWeight: 1340kgFuel tank: 50 litresFuel consumption: average on test 8.7 litres/100kmSteering: power-assisted rack-and-pinionSuspension: fully independent with front MacPherson struts and rear trailing arms with coil springs and linksBrakes: anti-skid four-wheel discsWheels: 6x15 steelTyres: 196x60 R15Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmRIVALSHolden Astra from $19,920Toyota Corolla from $20,750Volkswagen Golf from $25,990