Overview & Reviews

After a full redesign last year, the 2009 Subaru Impreza receives a number of significant changes to the high-performance WRX model. Responding to complaints that the WRX had become too soft, Subaru firmed up the suspension for '09, and there's 41 extra horsepower for good measure. Also, the '09 WRX is only available with a manual transmission, as last year's WRX automatic is now known as the Impreza 2.5 GT. As for base Imprezas, they pick up standard four-wheel disc brakes, stability control and Subaru's incline start assist or "hill-holder" feature for the manual transmission.

• Standard all-wheel drive, roomy seating front and rear, punchy turbocharged engines, highly capable handling in WRX and WRX STI trim.

• Some increasingly common high-tech features are unavailable, outdated four-speed automatic transmission, below-average fuel economy.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 79.00

• 

  2.5 GT Impreza/ Outstanding - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Juan - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with this outstanding and very fast car. It is fun to drive and I enjoy leaving other more expensive sports cars behind me when they sneak up on me in the fast lane. I laugh when I press down on the gas peddle and just see them fade away in my mirrors. Also my 2.5 GT has the 4- Speed Auto/SPORTSHIFT Transmission. So I just put it in drive and enjoy it!

• 

  A Great Experience - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Matt - January 6 - 7:03 am

  I just bought my Subaru in September 2008 and have already put over 6000 miles on it. It is safe, reliable, and fun to drive, especially with the 5-speed manual. It handles great in the snow and off-road and is great to take on trips. I have not had one problem and am very satisfied with just about everything. I drive the car roughly 100 miles city and 320 miles highway on an average tank of gas and get close to 28-29 MPG every time (with an average highway speed of 75 MPH). The car does not have the power or the luxury of my previous one (a BMW) but is an awesome point A to point B car. Subaru should adjust gear ratios from 4th to 5th gear as the car seems sluggish when entering 5th gear.

• 

  Gravity-defying, unique and fun car - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By SR - November 22 - 3:50 pm

  Impreza is sort of a middle between focus and RAV4 and then it has a class by itself. The fuel economy could be better but it was a trade-off to AWD. What caught the eye first is the interior finished with better grade plastic, and chrome accents, leather wrapping are a nice capping. Fuel economy is ranged between 20-26 mpg pending on your driving style (go easy on that pedal and use some hyper-miling techniques). Interestingly the car looked like a lowered suspension version of Lexus 400h with Corolla-esque lights. I struggled between premium and sport, finally decided 17" + taller susp. > sunroof. Road noise is slightly higher to other cars I test drove.

• 

  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By DCB - August 25 - 2:56 pm

  So glad a waited for the 09s. This car is safe, very quick, pretty solidly built, awd, fun to drive/look at, manual, comfortable even on 7 hour drives, and considering all this, it gets pretty good mileage. As some people have noted, Car and Driver rated this 0-60 mph in 47, while Road and Track did it in 5.1 These numbers are competitive with cars more than twice the price. I get 23 mpg around town, and 27/28 on the highway @ 70. I have gotten a lot of compliments, especially about the Dark Grey Metallic color. There are audio/performance upgrades in the future, but this car is phenomenal already. I recommend it to everyone! Take one for a drive if you are remotely considering one.

• 

  Good while it lasted! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By AshJWilliams - August 3 - 3:50 pm

  In the last year Ive experienced a complete engine failure due to spun rod bearing (as have 100s of others US and abroad), driven with an intermittent CEL for 2 months and been to the dealership 4 different times to have the problem resolved, I have multiple issues with the factory ECU tuning including a severe occasional hesitation, and about a dozen other manufacturer defects and dealer workmanship issues including a damaged intercooler, multiple components installed improperly, multiple components not installed at all (missing bolts, etc), and the vehicle now makes a wide array of abnormal noises. Was fun to drive when it was running properly, but trust me its not worth the hassle!

• 

  Fun! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Rich Hopkins - July 23 - 6:53 am

  Great small car to drive around town and a blast on the highway too. You will WANT to pass everyone. And you can. Fast throttle response, not as quick as an evo, but you get so much more car and reliability with the Subaru. Only fault: headlights have a very short cutoff: although highbeams are great. Youll enjoy yourself in this car.

• 

  2009 STI - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By 09sti - June 19 - 2:20 am

  This car has it all. With the back seat down, and they go flat, surfboards and snowboards fit perfect. Making it a perfect two person surf or snow adventure, no chains either :) Looking over the build quality its quite nice and Im impressed. The ride is quiet for the most part, little or no rattles. The performance is amazing, to accel as you go through those long half circle off or on ramps, the car feels like its on rails. Its so quick, hitting 80 mph in about 5 second. The stereo, not the best, but not to bad either. Mine has the six CD changer with MP3 compatibility, which equals about 1020 songs on tap, not bad! Turn the bass all negative, mids and treble all up, plus my SUB =s : )

• 

  Its a lemon - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Not imprezed - June 16 - 9:00 am

  I bought the car in July. It burns over one quart of oil every 1000 miles. It has soot on the bumper near the tail pipe. Subaru is dragging their feet on replacing it, they want to install a new short block. The oil is dirtier than my wifes car that has 100,000 miles. Its a lemon.

• 

  Very Satisfied! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Ray - April 3 - 12:56 am

  The ride is smooth and the handling is superb!! This car is so much fun to drive. Much roomier then it looks.

• 

  reliable and good-looking - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By m9mk10 - March 26 - 2:11 pm

  Fun car, reliable in bad weather, nice to look at, easy to drive