Cars Service

2006 Subaru Impreza Reviews Specs

Fast, fun, agile, mean, way too much torque. Very affordable when compared to competitors. None of those fancy gadgets and toys can be found here... go buy a loaded Acura TL or Mercedes if you need those distractions. This is a great vehicle for those who want to stray away from the automatics. If you are considered a "youthful" driver but need an adrenaline rush type car without high insurance rates... the WRX will work.



You definitely get your moneys worth. Compare it to BMWs 3 series, a Mustang, and even Audis A4 with Quattro... youll realize what you have. This car was at the bottom of my list, but after driving it through corners and hitting 110mph in 4th gear, it was an automatic buy. If you want a car that has that "sleeper" look, then this is it. Another buying point: this car is pretty much a sports car but your insurance rate will not spike up... performance sedan with lots of rally safety features :) The TR trim with an added spoiler is all you need. Simple and mean... but nobody knows!

New for 2006

The 2006 Subaru Impreza gets new front end styling, bringing it in line with the new Subaru signature design, featuring a three-section mesh-type grill inspired by the company’s aircraft heritage, plus restyled headlights with smoke-tinted lenses. A new dual-stage Subaru Advanced Airbag System is standard on all 2006 Subaru Imprezas, and the 2.5i gets side airbags. Four different WRX trims are offered for 2006 with the addition of a less-expensive TR and a more luxurious WRX Limited. These, along with the WRX sedan get a slight upgrade to 230 horsepower, while the WRX STi continues with its 300 horsepower engine. STi uses a new mechanical limited slip center differential in place of the previous hydraulically controlled unit.

News

A redesigned Impreza is expected for the 2008 model year. Look for a concept preview at a major auto show in early 2007, with a possible introduction in the second or third quarter. New-model specifics should surface soon, so keep checking back with us.

Interior Design and Special Features

Though by no means a match for the cockpit of a Jetta, the Imprezas dash is modern enough in appearance, and the materials used are of good quality. For cargo, the wagons can hold 27.9 cubic feet of stuff, or 61.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Safety

All Subaru Impreza models have standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes. Side airbags are standard on all models. In government crash testing, the Subaru Impreza earned four stars (out of five) for driver safety in frontal impacts and five stars for front-passenger safety. Five stars were awarded for front-seat side-impact safety. The IIHS named the Impreza a "Best Pick" in frontal-offset testing.

Powertrains and Performance

Powering all 2.5 i and Outback Sport models is a 2.5-liter, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that makes 173 horsepower. A more powerful engine can be found in the WRX sedan and wagon. This turbocharged 2.5-liter mill (also a flat four) kicks out an impressive 230 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard on all Imprezas.

Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options

The Subaru Impreza is available in sedan and wagon body styles and a wide array of trim levels. The 2.5 i sedan and wagon have 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, air conditioning, sport seats with height adjustment for the driver, a CD player, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power windows, locks and mirrors. The Outback Sport wagon adds two-tone paint, heavy-duty suspension tuning and a bit more ground clearance, foglamps and cargo tie-downs. The Outback Sport Special Edition sedan and wagon build on these features with a premium audio system, in-dash CD changer, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather steering wheel and shifter, and a rear spoiler.

The high-performance Impreza WRX comes in three different versions: WRX TR, regular WRX and WRX Limited. The TR features a functional hood scoop, limited-slip rear differential, stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and unique wheels. The standard WRX adds STi ground effects, foglamps, aluminum pedal covers, automatic climate control, premium audio with CD changer and performance-design seats. The luxury-oriented Limited features leather seating, heated seats and mirrors, and a moonroof.

Road Test

One constant dating back to 1993 is the WRXs standing as an undercover authority figure. Any street racer making assumptions about this unassuming little sedan got his reward in the form of a dropped jaw and a crushed ego as its driver rocketed out of sight. Driving a WRX has always been the nonverbal way to say "You boys better gather up your VTECs, turbo Eclipses, and 5.0 Mustangs and move your little league over to some other park. This is a mans game now."

Turbocharging makes this possible. You may have seen turbos in your time, but how many of them crammed twice the pressure of the atmosphere into four little cylinders (via a Mitsubishi turbocharger, irony of ironies)? The mention of 227 horsepower doesnt blow minds like it did in 2002, but you dont think much about paper specs when youre out in the real world thrusting out of corners or past entire herds of cars, all while listening to that vivid roar exclusive to engines whose cylinders lie sideways. And admit it: 5.4 seconds to 60 is still fast.

For 2006, the power rushes in sooner and stronger now that the other Subarus have chosen to share their 2.5-liter engine block with the formerly 2.0-liter WRX. While bore and stroke both rise in tandem (92mm to 99.5; 75mm to 79), the three extra horsies (now 230 in all) find themselves overshadowed by the 18 additional pounds-feet of torque. The healthy new supply of 235 cures the weak-kneed feeling from its low-speed operations.

Putting all that power to the ground is never a problem when you channel them through all four wheels, which in this case also helps handling. Isnt handling this cars greater talent anyway? AWD exploits every last iota of grip from this years bigger P215/45R17 tires (though their all-season tread limits potential), and a rear end thats easy to slide around guarantees youll have a fun time trying. Steering that sends clear signals to your hands and has been sped up for quicker response this year are further points in the WRXs favor.

All this news might hint at a hyperkinetic no-compromises race car. Not so. Despite the rising sport quotient, the WRX never had much interest in your suffering. Aside from the occasional sharp snap or harsh landing, the WRXs quartet of struts eats up bumps in a manner nearly as civil as a normal Impreza. At 70 MPH, the new big engine spins at a reasonable 2,600 RPM and road noise is never a big deal, possibly thanks to this years noise reduction measures (underbody cover, more insulation in the carpet and headliner). Oddly, the one standout in the NVH department is wind noise that turns almost violent as 100 MPH draws near; blame the [functional] hood scoop and frameless doors for that one.

The WRXs potential is pretty down-to-Earth, too. Smooth steering, brake, and accelerator inputs promote quick man-machine bonding, and this editor enjoyed slamming the new "short-throw" shifter (still seems tall) through its gates. Unlike Mitsubishi did with its Lancer Evo, Subaru didnt spoil the stickshift experience with a recalcitrant clutch; the WRXs left pedal is gradual and forgiving. Another difference: its turbocharger isnt heard from as often due to its circa-3,500 RPM activation point (and because of higher natural torque, it doesnt need to be), which would explain how our WRXs very decent 24 MPG (mostly freeway) beat our smaller-engined Evo. (The flipside: Mitsubishis turbo is more fun to activate.) Finally, after failing to find Subarus mushy brake feel (new front and rear rotors are bigger by 0.1" and 1.0"), I gave up looking for a serious flaw in the WRX driving experience.

So it found me. There I am, cruise controlling my way down Interstate 5 at 80 MPH when my speed starts sagging and fluctuating between the 60s and 70s, shortly thereafter surging past the mid-80s. After a minute of this, I hit Cancel, take the helm, and all sanity is restored. But another minute passes and speed starts tapering off again, this time robbing me of all accelerative ability. I then perform two frantic lane changes to reach the shoulder, and on my unsteady descent to a stop I notice my check engine light present, my power steering absent. I think I recall some other dashboard lights, but my mind was focused on other matters. Like my mortality.

The WRX is as fun in person as it is in pixels. Just remember that in real life, there is no reset button.

Favorite Features

Seats -- great seats with good support; look good too. Engine -- very flexible, good power, decent fuel economy and its smooth as silk (cant even tell the engines running at idle).

Overall Review

other than road noise this car is absolutly amazing. turbo gives driver a boost in speed when required. handles like an absolute dream for the $32,000 price tag. the only other car in this price range that can rival the sti on speed and handling would be the mitsubishi evo. racing seats keep you in your seat when, only suggestion would be to come standard with a three point seatbelt harness.