Subaru Impreza 2008 review

The build quality and ever-improving safety technology is first class. The sedan version they have produced is no exception.

Drivetrains

The RS is powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed (boxer) engine that produces 110kW at 6400rpm and 196Nm of torque at 3200rpm.

A choice of five-speed manual or four-speed Sportshift automatic transfers power to the wheels. The manual uses 8.9 litres of fuel per 100kms and the automatic point one less at 8.8 litres.

Across the range, bar the WRX, the manual produces 210gms/100kms of CO2 and the auto expels 208gms.

Exterior

As the second to top in the Impreza range, the RS receives exactly the same exterior treatment as the WRX except for the bonnet scoop.

The sports body kit is standard, as are 17 inch alloys, a rear spoiler and an exterior model badge. Plus you get privacy glass in the rear door, rear quarter and rear windscreen.

Then there are the standard features across the range like body coloured mirrors and door handles, twin tail pipes and roof rails.

Interior

Interior features have not changed from the hatch version of the RS to the sedan. The existing swirl pattern across the dash has been transferred across, same for the leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob.

The RS and WRX are the only cars in the line-up with sports bucket seats but most other interior features are shared among the four variants including a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors and windows, and a six stacker sound system (not in the R model). There is an option to install a sat nav and DVD but only in the RS and WRX models.

The rear seats are 60/40 split fold and there is plenty of storage space throughout the cabin with luggage hooks, cup holders, a centre console box, door pockets and a front centre tray.

Safety

On top of the comprehensive air bag package and the much publicised five-star ANCAP occupant safety rating, the AWD Subaru RS sedan safety feature list comprises electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distribution, electronic throttle control and hill-start assist.

Pricing

Subaru’s RS Impreza sedan starts at $28,490 which includes a 3 year unlimited kilometre warranty.

Driving

Pincott says…

The RS has traditionally held the middle ground for Imprezas – not as punchy as the Rex but with more bite and better trim than the entry level variant. But the latest version has softened more, in both appearance and performance.

While it’s fine under most circumstances, the 2-litre boxer engine feels like it needs either more capacity or output when you tackle challenging hills or stretch an overtaking run on the highway. And despite having all-wheel drive, the RS lacked absolute certainty when my co-driver chucked it through some hard corners, showing more tendency to body roll than we would have seen in the predecessor.

Part of this was probably due to the much more compliant suspension, which makes for a softer ride overall, but undermines the handling through the bendy bits. The payoff for this was that over a section of rougher dirt and gravel, the car was very well composed, smoothing out most of the jagged sections of road and even soaking up a few bad potholes.

While it doesn’t feel as sporty as the previous model, it still seems supremely confident in normal driving, and the AWD system would be an advantage in the wet.

It’s also very well packaged with good quality finishes – although some of the design features are entirely a matter of personal taste – and an extremely comfortable vehicle. It’s surprising how much room is available both front and rear for what is essentially a fairly compact size.

Wigley says…

No, it hasn’t set the world alight – in fact it’s probably drowned the world in thick, foamy fire-retardant – but Subaru has certainly played a ballsy card with the new Impreza design, fixing the crosshairs on Gen-Yers and middle-aged women.

The crew here at Carsguide remain staunch supporters of the ‘original’ shape of a decade ago, but are equally rigorous in their support of Subarus in general as a make that prides itself on quality workmanship, safety and affordability.

So, aside from the look of thing which is a matter for personal opinion and isn’t going to save your life in a crash, we think the RS sedan is a very good car.

The aforementioned dash swirl isn’t pretty but the rest of the cabin is put together well – it’s spacious, comfortable and generally a nice place to be. The bucket seats seem a little firm at first – particularly if you’ve driven the R or the RX – but they soon give and mould to your curves.

Buttons on the steering wheel reduce the clutter on the dash and you’re essentially left with three large air con dials and a couple of stereo knobs.

Two large males will fit in the back without trouble, but you may have to ask a third to collapse his hip and remove his legs below the knee.

On our trip from inner Sydney to the Central Coast, the RS performed dutifully. We were concerned the stiffer suspension would be too harsh getting out of the city but it wasn’t a problem. Pot holes and bumps were accommodated for too thanks in large part to the comfy buckets.

On the freeway the cabin was quiet but for a small amount of wind rush around the side mirrors and the noise from the road up through the floor was negligible.

The RS held its line without feeling the need to follow gouges or ruts and the wheel provided good feedback as well as being direct and true.

Merging and overtaking was easy given the excellent acceleration right across the rev range, and thanks to the sedans good visibility all round.

Knowing the effort Subaru put into making their cars safe is a real comfort and becomes yet another ticked box for this already impressive, capable car.