New 2009 Subaru Impreza

Vehicle Overview
The Impreza is available as a sedan or hatchback. Trim levels include the naturally aspirated four-cylinder 2.5i and Outback Sport, as well as turbocharged 2.5GT and WRX models. All can be had with a manual or automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard. Competitors include the Mazda3 and Volkswagen Jetta.

A 300-horsepower Impreza WRX STI topped the previous model line, but Subaru has not yet released details on the STI version for 2009.

New for 2009
The Impreza gets brake assist and incline-start assist, plus a new sport 2.5GT option. The WRX gets an added boost of power as well as some sporty tuning changes.

Exterior
Like the previous Impreza, this one comes in both hatchback and sedan body styles. The sedan is 180.3 inches long and 68.5 inches wide; the hatchback is 173.8 inches long and the same width as the sedan. The sedan is the longest and narrowest of the competition.  16- or 17-inch wheels are available, while fog lamps (standard on the 2.5GT) and a power tilt/slide glass sunroof (standard on 2.5GT) are optional.  Dual tailpipes, body-colored door handles and mirrors, power mirrors and rear lip spoiler are standard.

Interior
The interior has a businesslike austerity to it. Metallic inlays flank the center controls, and the center console houses an optional navigation system. All models come with a 60/40-split fold-down backseat. The hatch gets a cargo area cover and tie-down hooks. Both models provide 94.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, and there's 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the sedan's trunk. That number jumps to 19 cubic feet in the hatch. These numbers are competitive with the competition.  Air conditioning, cruise control and power windows and locks are standard.  A leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter, touch-screen navigation and Bluetootch connectivity are optional.

Under the Hood
All models now get four disc brakes instead of last year's rear drum setup, providing better performance.  A 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 170 pounds-feet of torque and a 224-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 226 pounds-feet of torque (2.5GT) are mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.  The 2.5GT features a sport-tuned suspension. 

Safety
All Imprezas include an impressive array of safety features.  Standard safety features include: side impact and side-curtain airbags, an electronic stability system with traction control, antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist, incline-start assist (only on manual-transmission versions) and daytime running lamps.