Subaru Impreza (2008 – 2012) Review
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Subaru Impreza (2008 – 2012) At A Glance
Same qualities underneath as previous Imprezas. Cheap entry level 4WD 1.5R useful for anyone living above the snow line.
What happened to the styling?
Totally new 5-door Subaru Impreza launched autumn 2007 at Frankfurt Show in 1.5 and 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated versions.
Reviews for Subaru Impreza (2008 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals
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Subaru Impreza (2008 – 2012) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4415 mm |
| Width | 1740 mm |
| Height | 1470–1475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2620 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1310–1455 kg |
| Boot Space | 301–1216 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 10000–12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £13,620–£24,315 |
| Insurance Groups | 11–36 |
| Road Tax Bands | G–M |
| Official MPG | 24.6–47.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 4 |
On sale until January 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 RC 5dr | £17,420 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 2.0 RC 5dr | £19,475 | 33.6 mpg | - |
| 2.0 RC Auto 5dr | £20,475 | 34.4 mpg | - |
On sale until June 2011
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 RC Auto 5dr | £18,420 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 2.0 RX 5dr | £19,035 | 33.6 mpg | - |
| 2.0D RC 5dr | £22,015 | 47.9 mpg | - |
| 2.0D RX 5dr | £24,315 | 47.9 mpg | - |
On sale until March 2011
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.5 WRX S 5dr | £21,790 | 24.6 mpg | - |
On sale until November 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 R (C pack) 5dr | £15,620 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.5 R (C pack) Auto 5dr | £16,620 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.5 R (X pack) 5dr | £14,870 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.5 R (X pack) Auto 5dr | £15,870 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.5 R 5dr | £13,620 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 2.0 R 5dr Auto | £17,455 | 34.4 mpg | - |
| 2.0 RX Auto 5dr | £20,205 | 34.4 mpg | - |
On sale until April 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.5 WRX 5dr | £18,995 | 27.2 mpg | - |
On sale until December 2008
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 RX AWD 5dr | £13,702 | 37.7 mpg | - |
| 1.5 RX AWD 5dr Auto | £13,702 | - | - |
Model History
September 2007
New Impreza unveiled
Totally new 5-door Impreza launched autumn 2007 at Frankfurt Show in 1.5 and 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated versions with surprise addition of 2.5T WRX. Turbocharged STI from in spring 2008. All 'All Wheel Drive' non-turbo range featuring a new, roomier five-door body with new multi-link rear suspension in UK dealer showrooms from mid September 2007 starting at £12,495 for the 1.5R.
All Imprezas have all-wheel drive, alloy wheels, climate-control air-conditioning, radio/CD player, height and reach steering-wheel adjustment, foglamps, front and rear electric windows, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags plus vehicle information display. 1.5R has 15" alloy wheels with 195/65 tyres.
2.0R has new 150PS 2.0 litre flat-four engine, 16" alloy wheels with 205/55 tyres, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, windscreen wiper de-icer, Xenon headlights and heated door mirrors.
2.0 RX addds front and rear spoilers, side skirts, chrome exhaust, rear bumper diffuser 17" alloys with 205/50 tyres, 'Smart Entry' with engine start button and sat-nav.
1.5R man 109mph 0-60mph 13.7 seconds, 37.7mpg com, 176g/km CO2 £12,495 OTR
1.5R aut 104mph, 0-60mph 14.8 seconds, 37.7mpg com, TBAg/km CO2 £13,495 OTR
2.0R man TBAmph, 0-60mph 9.2 seconds, 33.6mpg com, 199g/km CO2 £14,995 OTR
2.0R aut TBAmph, 0-60mph 11.3 seconds, 34.4mpg com, 194g/km CO2 £15,995 OTR
2.0RX man TBAmph, 0-60mph 9.2 seconds, 33.6mpg com, 199g/km CO2 £17,495 OTR
2.0RX aut TBAmph, 0-60mph 11.3 seconds, 34.4mpg com, 194g/km CO2 £18,495 OTR
Impreza Turbo Diesels originally supposed to arrive in UK early 2009. New six-speed manual gearbox and new closed-type diesel particulate filter. 150 PS at 3,600rpm and 258 lb ft at 1,800 rpm.
July 2009
Five year service/warranty package offered until 30-9-2009, but not on cars bought on scrappage scheme. If you buy used Impreza in 2010-2012, worth checking that it comes with this pagage.
* A five-year/100,000-mile warranty, with protection against repair costs for parts and labour (exclusions apply).
* A five-year/60,000-mile free servicing package, which, if new owners buy now, means they you won't have to pay later.
* Five years' home and roadside assistance, covering owners for motoring emergencies in both the UK and throughout Europe.
September 2009
Diesel version finally arrives in UK
47.9 mpg Combined and 155 g/km CO2. 127mph top speed and 0-62 mph in 9.0 seconds. Specification includes 17 inch alloys, HID headlamps with pop-up washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, front projector foglamps, 6CD player with MP3 facility, cruise control, windscreen wiper deicer, climate control and heated sports seats, front, side and curtain airbags. Two model Impreza diesel range – 2.0D RC and 2.0D RX – complements 1.5 and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol models, the limited edition 2.5 WRX turbo, plus range-topping WRX STI Type UK and 330S.
What to watch out for
For economy reasons, the alternator does not start recharging the battery until the engine is fully to temperature, resulting in flat batteries for cars driven short distances from cold. The answer is to switch on the side lights or headlights creating a need for power that clutches the alternator on so it recharges the battery.
14-10-2012:Some 'Boxer' diesels up to 2009/59 reg have needed a new DMF and clutch within the warranty period because they had the same engine ECU computer programme for the clutch as original Boxer diesel in the Legacy, with 5-speed manual transmission. Apparently, this was allowing too much torque through the flywheel in 1st and 2nd, thus causing the problem. A new ECU software programme has been written, damping torque in 1st and 2nd to solve this.
05-02-2013:If an injector fails on the diesel the entire engine has to come out to replace it, quoted by dealer at £647 just for removing and replacing the engine + cost of injector and fitting it.
06-02-2013:Crankshaft failure on 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Boxer diesel at 44,000 miles. Apparently common on EE20 Engines (Subaru Boxer Diesel). Crankshafts snap in half under maximum torque load cruising at 60 - 70mph. New engines are quoted by IM Group at £11,000. Google Subaru Boxer Diesel Crankshaft Failures for more.
