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To motorsport enthusiasts, Impreza equals slingshot performance and rally success. But as well as the impressive Turbo, there's a range of durable, reliable family cars that loyal owners swear by.
For
- Tough, reliable and usually with four-wheel drive
- Rally fame confers status amongst enthusiasts
- Good value 2.0 ?family? models
Against
- High insurance on Turbo
- Uninspired interior styling and finish
- Turbo is thirsty and needs specialist servicing
Road Test
McRae and Impreza: one of the great rally pairings. Inspiring though that partnership was, there's more to Impreza than the all-wheel drive Turbo's ability to stay stuck to the road under the toughest rally conditions.
The 208bhp Turbo is a car for the heart, for people who relish its six-second 0-60 time, its surging in-gear acceleration, and the glory of its rally wins (there are McRae, Catalunya and RB5 editions as well as Prodrive and unofficially modified high-performance versions). But it costs - and not just to buy: tyres, petrol, servicing and insurance are a big hit on the wallet.
Living in the shadow of the legend are fine family Imprezas: the 1.8 (later 2.0) GL and the 2.0 Sport. Both with four-wheel drive tenacity and sufficient power to enjoy it, and both offering a choice of saloon or more practical estate bodies. They're reliable, comfortable family wheels that offer good value.
Need To Know
NCAP: Not tested
Best Models: 2.0 Turbo, special editions; 2.0 Sport
Worst Models: 1.6 LX & GL 2WD versions
Replacement: By current Impreza in Oct 2000
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
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