Subaru Impreza 2001 Review

When a cult car comes up for renewal it's a huge event, and the arrival of the new-age Subaru WRX last October was no exception. The 2001 WRX is bigger and better, though it doesn't have the hard, nasty edge of the original. It's a pity the new WRX, nicknamed Bugzilla because of its bulging nose, overshadows the rest of the fresh Impreza family.

The ordinary Impreza has done a great job for Subaru and its customers, and the new car is an important move forward. The 2001 Impreza is bigger and more comfortable, with an up-grade in basic engineering. It still comes with Subaru's signature "boxer'' flat-four engine and all-wheel drive, but almost everything has been improved in some way.

The latest range opens with the GX sedan, good value at $25,470 and moves through the RX to the shotgun WRX. There is a four-door sedan or a compact wagon, though Subaru still calls it a hatchback. It is a five-door hatch, but most people will see it as a wagon.

The change to the new Impreza is a landmark for Subaru, which has had some tough times over the past 10 years, but still managed to succeed in Australia.

There was a time when its cars were stripped down to battle a strong Yen, but recently it has led Japanese car manufacturers through four-wheel-drive success and also upgraded its image. That means even the basic GX comes with anti-skid brakes, twin airbags, remote central locking, cruise control, CD player, fog lamps and twin trip meters. The RX picks up air-conditioning, sports seats, alloys and a leather sports wheel, with prices from $29,990.

The WRX and Subaru's world rally program have helped, but the basic Impreza shows the company has a solid foundation for the 21st century. The GX and RX come with a fairly basic engine that produces 92kW of power and 184Nm of torque, hooked up to a slick five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto with a driver-friendly shift pattern - not one of the gimmicky F1-style changes.

The cabin is a little bigger in most directions, and Subaru has mounted the front seats a bit higher to get extra foot space in the back. But there's only one big cup-holder in the centre of the dash, not a pair, and the aluminium-looking plastic looks cheap.

The curvy new Impreza body came as a shock last year, especially to WRX fans, but it is getting accepted and the new look lets the car stand out in a crowd - important in an era when so many cars could be clones.

Subaru's work runs deep, right down to body-coloured mirrors on all models - many rivals run basic black on their cheaper cars - and even a new style of door handle. But it faces a tough job as Holden's Astra and Vectra are setting the pace for smaller cars. Honda has its new Civic hatch, Ford is about to fight back with a revitalised Laser, and even the VW Golf is about to get a big push from a new factory-owned importer.

DRIVING

Time with the WRX is always fun, and the new car is better balanced in turns - even if it feels a little slower in a straight line. It doesn't work the outside-front tyre as hard as the original, which means better cornering grip, and it is more relaxed and less frenetic to drive. But it's the other Imprezas that need a deeper dip, so I've been in GX and RX wagons and sedans to get a proper feel for the car.

The best place to start is with the GX auto, which will be popular. The car is comfy and quiet, with a great ride and plenty of equipment. The auto bumps up the price, as will the optional air-conditioning, but the rest of the deal, especially the brakes, airbag and CD, are impressive for the price.

The engine is nothing special, with a typically Subaru pull from the bottom end, but not much up top. It's an engine that works well with an automatic, especially with the latest shift pattern, though the manual helps the economy and is fun.

The basic seats are supportive, the driving position is good and the level of trim and plastics is a bit more substantial than the previous Impreza. But, and it's a worry for Subaru as it is for Honda with the latest Civic, there were some squeaks and rattles in the test cars.

The Impreza has always been a personal benchmark for production line finish, but not now. The GX was a little better than the more expensive RX, with a smoother ride and less road noise, possibly due to the taller tyres with less-aggressive tread.

The all-wheel drive is something I almost take for granted, but it means the Impreza is more versatile for weekend work and ahead in lousy weather. All the cars need better headlamps, something Subaru doesn't do as well as its rivals or a Commodore. But it is easy to get in and out of the cars and there is plenty of space for adults in the back and luggage in the tail. The wagon (or hatch) isn't a huge load carrier, but provides some welcome flexibility.

Compared with its rivals, the Impreza is value for money, but doesn't have the strength or speed to match the Astra. Its 2-litre engine gives it the edge over the Laser, and the Golf, which has a baby engine and a grown-up price. It's newer and more impressive than the Corolla.

After driving the whole family of new Imprezas, from the basic GX sedan to the crackerjack WRX, I'm still split on the verdict. The car is better than the old one, but there were quality glitches that you don't expect with a Subaru. It should be a four-star car, and the GX just gets them on value, but it's only a three-star step forward.

SUBARU IMPREZA GX AUTO

Price: $27,840 as tested
Engine: 2-litre four cylinder with single-overhead camshafts and fuel injection
Power: 92kW/5600revs
Torque: 184Nm/3600revs
Transmission: Four-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Body: four-door wagon
Dimensions: length 4405mm, width 1695mm, height 1440mm, wheelbase 2525mm, tracks 1460/1460mm front/rear
Weight: 1340kg
Fuel tank: 50 litres
Fuel consumption: average on test 8.7 litres/100km
Steering: power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Suspension: fully independent with front MacPherson struts and rear trailing arms with coil springs and links
Brakes: anti-skid four-wheel discs
Wheels: 6x15 steel
Tyres: 196x60 R15
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km

RIVALS

Holden Astra from $19,920
Toyota Corolla from $20,750
Volkswagen Golf from $25,990