2007 Subaru Impreza Review

What reviews like:
Performance of the turbocharged Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi is highlighted most often in reviews, which say the Subaru has a sports-car engine in a compact wagon or sedan. Handling and performance are best with a manual transmission -- most reviews say you shouldn't even consider this car if you want an automatic transmission.

What reviews don't like:

Several reviews say the look of the Subaru Impreza is downright ugly. The interior is bare-bones, and rear-seat passengers don’t get a lot of room to move. Because of the somewhat harsh ride that comes along with the turbocharged engine, most critics say the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi don't make great family cars. All reviews criticize the optional automatic transmission as sluggish.

EPA fuel economy estimate: 20 to 23 mpg/city, 26 to 29 mpg/highway, depending on engine

2007 Subaru Impreza review highlights

The 2007 Subaru Impreza gets excellent reviews, but most reviewers agree the Impreza isn't for everyone. The base-model Impreza gets very little attention. Most reviews focus on the turbocharged 230-hp Subaru Impreza WRX and 300-hp WRX STi. Experts say it’s like a sports-car engine was dropped into a compact sedan (or wagon). As a result, the turbocharged Impreza models are best enjoyed by enthusiasts who wouldn't dream of driving an automatic transmission. Reviews say performance of the turbo models is thrilling, but a cramped rear seat and harsh ride put it out of contention as a family car. Reviews say the Honda Civic (*est. $14,810 to $21,290) and Mazda3 (*est. $13,795 to $19,795) are better all-around sporty cars, but the Impreza WRX and WRX STi offer about as much power as you can get for around $25,000.

We didn’t find the 2007 Subaru Impreza compared very often to other compact cars, probably because the Impreza occupies a unique position in this class due to its turbocharged engine (in the Impreza WRX and WRX STi models). The best illustrated review we found for the Subaru Impreza WRX comes from The Washington Post, where Warren Brown demonstrates the car's niche position. Edmunds.com has a more detailed (but less passionate) review of the Subaru Impreza, and it’s one of the few sources that spends any time talking about the non-turbo base model. We found less detailed reviews at Consumer Reports, ConsumerGuide.com, Cars.com and CarCritic.com.

Also see full report: Economy Cars

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. The Washington Post
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A Manual That's Worth Some Lessons
Warren Brown
Dec. 26, 2006

This review highlights the unique position of the Subaru WRX -- it's a hot rod in the body of a compact hatchback. Warren Brown says the Impreza WRX is "ugly as sin," yet he also finds it an absolute driving pleasure. Brown is trying to convince his wife to drive a manual transmission solely to experience the pleasure of driving the Subaru Impreza WRX.

2. Edmunds.com
2007 Subaru Impreza review
Editors of Edmunds.com

Editors say the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi are "an absolute blast to drive" and offer great bang for the buck. Even on the base-model Impreza, handling is exceptional, with standard all-wheel-drive. The only drawback, say editors, is the sluggish automatic transmission -- but all reviews say the Subaru Impreza is meant to be driven with a manual transmission. In the end, editors say the Impreza isn't for everyone: "[The Impreza] is still best viewed as an alternative to more mainstream choices. Vehicles like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are more up to date, still fun to drive and potentially less expensive."

3. Consumer Guide.com
2007 Subaru Impreza Road Test
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide rates most cars in about a dozen performance aspects. The highest rated models are given Best Buy or Recommended tags. The 2007 Subaru Impreza doesn't get one of these monikers, but editors do praise the performance of the supercharged models. Rear-seat comfort and ride quality are negatives.

4. CarCritic.com
2007 Subaru Impreza review
Don Vorderman

Auto critic Don Vorderman says the Subaru Impreza has morphed from a good car into a great car, and that its WRX models occupy a unique value position with "blazing performance" for the money. Vorderman finds the exterior styling to be fairly ugly, however. CarCritic's reviews are unusual in that they don't go into a great amount of detail. Rather, editors aim to evaluate performance and reliability data, forming a quick "RuthlessReview" for each car. Reading this review will cost you $1 per vehicle.

5. Cars.com
2007 Subaru Impreza
Editors of Cars.com
Oct. 2006

Cars.com doesn’t go into a great deal of performance detail, but editors do a nice job of highlighting most aspects of the Subaru WRX. The major strength noted is the performance of the turbocharged WRX and WRX STi. Rear-seat legroom and "overly exuberant" styling are the main negatives.

6. RSportsCars.com
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Staff of RSportsCars.com
Nov. 2006

This review of the Subaru Impreza focuses on the WRX STi model, the sportiest version of the Impreza available. While not particularly a road-test review, editors do explain the progeny of the WRX, which comes from Subaru's reputation in the World Rally Car competition. The WRX STi borrows directly from the Subaru World Rally Car. If you’re interested in the two turbocharged models of the Impreza, this article is a good read, though there are no ratings or comparisons to other cars.

7. Consumer Reports
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2007 Subaru Impreza review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports covers most cars, and the magazine is one of the few review sources that focus on the base-model Subaru Impreza rather than the turbocharged WRX and WRX STi versions. Included is a road-test report, along with historical reliability data and ratings for overall owner satisfaction. You must be a subscriber to read this report, however.

Also see full report: Economy Cars