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• Some increasingly common high-tech features are unavailable, outdated four-speed automatic transmission, below-average fuel economy.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 31 through 40 of 79.00

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  First time owner - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By First time owner - January 3 - 7:26 pm

  This is my very first Subaru car (2009 Impreza Outback Sports), and Im loving every minute of it. Ive test drove the base model version, and Ill tell you that the Impreza Outback Sports was a very good choice. Also, Ive driven the Outback Legacy as a loaner car, and Im not very impress by the way it drives. Impreza Outback Sports is very fun to drive, very smooth on bumps and pot holes, and hugs the road very well. Although the gas mileage is under subpar, I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one. Furthermore, what I really like about the vehicle is the interior room, and the seats are very comfortable.

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  Mini Lexus 300 - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By J Snow - August 18 - 5:53 pm

  Previously drove 2000 and 2002 Impreza hatchbacks. This one is by far the quietest and smoothest driving. Gas mileage about same as 2002 2.5l. Really like the window door frames. Hate limited visibility of sloping back of car and temporary roof rack mounting kit. Standard equipment Bridgestone Potenza tires ride well. Added sheepskin seat covers make front seats comfortable. Lost a couple of wheel well plastic screws holding front fender - sloppy construction. 5-speed gear box smoother than past models, accelerates nicely. Less cargo space than past Impreza models. Best looking Impreza so far and dead ringer as little sister to Lexus 300 SUV.

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  Fearsome icy grades? No problem! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By liv4mntns - April 10 - 3:23 am

  Trucks were sliding all over the road the night I first took a major drive (to pick up relatives at the airport) in my new Impreza. When we stopped for coffee, it was so icy that I could barely keep from falling onto the sidewalk! After my addition of excellent winter tires, the Impreza cruised up that steep, snowy mountain road as if we were out for a summer picnic. Note to anyone else driving on poorly lit two-lane roads: the optional fog lights are worth every cent in a snowstorm with oncoming traffic! Even though its not why I bought it, I cant help loving the Imprezas amazing cornering abilities; it turns any twisting road into a fun driving experience.

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  Under a month and in love - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Michael - October 12 - 10:13 am

  After owning (and loving) my Acura RSX Type S for almost 7 years I sold it and bought the 5-door WRX Premium. This car is almost perfect in my book. Its all there, utility, comfort, features, power, solid build with sex appeal. Any criticisms I have are minor at best. Its a thrill to drive. I highly recommend this car if youre even considering it. Nothing else out there equals it in its class. Pictures dont do it justice. Its a must see and must drive. And if you have the cash spring for the STI version. Thats even faster and more aggressive looking.

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  Solid and smooth - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - September 8 - 8:46 pm

  Ive had my new Outback Sport for a few weeks now and have been very satisfied with it so far. Im still getting used to the different (read: better) handling of the AWD. I test drove roughly similar vehicles (Honda Fit and VW Rabbit) and this Subaru, while more expensive, just felt much more intuitive and well thought-out. The seat warmers are nice and standard on this trim. The fuel economy is better than expected (26-27 mpg city+highway), even this early in the cars lifetime.

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  Great so far - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Teddy - April 28 - 12:40 am

  I purchased the car with my work discount, plus end of the year 0.0% financing, so it turned out to be a great deal. I wasnt sure that I was going to like the car at first, because I switched over from a SUV. But I realized quick that I made a good decision. Comparing to my old truck, mpg is not bad, mainly city driving I get almost 25 average. Being 62 the car is pretty comfortable with the help of the adjusting seat. I definitely recommend the 5spd instead of the automatic, which is kinda sluggish.

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  Incredible "Bang" for the buck - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - December 16 - 7:56 pm

  This is my second Subie, also have an 08 OBS. This gets about as good mpg as the 173 hp auto in the OBS. Ive gotten as high as 29.4 on the road and generally get over 27 even with occasional passing bursts. Town seems to be in the 23 range. Very happy about this. Ive owned most everything performance wise, Vettes (2), BMW, Porsche, Audis (3), Mercedes (4), Lexus. This is my 63rd car and it is a real winner for a fraction of what Ive paid for some other iron. No it doesnt have Porsche precision or BMW steering, or the finesse of an Audi, but it gets the job done on par with any of them and its loads of fun Im sold on Subaru. Car and Driver article sold me on the WRX over the STI.

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  Solid Package - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By NSO - November 1 - 6:00 pm

  Owned 87Accrd, 94Maxima, 97Taurus, 00Accord, and after researching deprec. rate, insurance, cost of operation, and reliability against models like CR-V, RAV4, and Focus I decided that Impreza make a very solid pkg, and after I test drove it (2.5i prem and GT)I decided that Id go for real value: Outback Sport (seat warmer+17" alloy/ raised susp. > sunroof+2 xtra spkr). GT was a nerfed version of WRX, and if I am ready for an WRX Id go STI anyway. Overall I really liked VDC; it gave the already phenomenal AWD feel an extra polish and ctrl. But it will be tough for your brakes as it will brake harder than youd intend to, road noise is also slightly more noticeable than top compacts I tested.

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  Sticks to the road with an attitude.... - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Montana Man - September 7 - 4:50 pm

  Another great Subie. I have an 08 Outback and a 09 WRX. Fast?....oh yea! Handles like a rally car and goes in the snow. The best of both worlds, along with Subarus legendary reliability. Getting on the freeway is always exciting, 0 to 100 in a flash...Im in my sixties now and am loving the exhilaration of having a race bred rocket, with the drive- ability for all weather conditions. A great value from the folks at Subaru. Gas mileage? If thats a concern, buy a Prius. Purchased with the SPT Cat Back exhaust, Short Throw Shifter and Turbo Gauge.Interior Foot-well Lights are a very cool touch.

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  WRX Finally!! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Eclem - June 21 - 8:10 am

  Ive owned 4 Imprezas so, sure; I drink da Kool-Aid. I had my own mfgrs. rep. business for 17 years and Impzas were THE answer for lots of winter driving all over New England. The performance / price quotient was perfect. Am now retired and driving less than 10k / yr - so I finally got the "slightly" impractical / monster fun WRX 5-door Premium. AWD has saved my bacon for many years so I had to stay with it - and Subaru reliability has been so solid - had to stay there too. Yep, the audio quality is lacking but I dont really need much juice to listen to my redneck talk shows. FM reception IS very good - we live in the country so it must be. Did spring for Winter 205s on 16x7 Alloys.