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2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon Road Test

A Compact Premium Wagon from Subaru?

Cool wagon. Thats the attitude I got from passersby as I drove Subarus latest compact wagon, a name its made legendary when fixed to its Legacy wagon-based crossover.

Personally, I like its bold new three section grille and aerodynamically efficient headlight design. It gives the car more character in a segment that often lacks originality. And while I thought this new 2006 model merely benefited from a facelift to the outgoing 2005 Impreza wagon, theres a lot more to it than that.

Firstly, each and every body panel forward of the B-pillar and front doors is completely new. The redesigned front fascia makes the upgraded Impreza crossover wagon appear more like its sport-oriented

Cool wagon. Thats the attitude I got from passersby as I drove Subarus latest compact wagon. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

WRX wagon sibling. I also find that the new cars front fenders do a better job of visually integrating with the side panels than those on the old model, while the new aluminum hood is shaped to butt up smartly with the modified grille.

At the back it takes the more educated palate of a Subaru aficionado to notice much of a difference. A larger Subaru logo is more prominently positioned

A crowd of journalists gather to learn about the new Impreza wagon. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

at the center of the rear liftgate, while redesigned taillights give Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagons rear styling a nudge up the desirability ladder.

Subaru, mind you, hasnt achieved its desirability, which includes one of the highest customer retention ratings in the industry, because of how it looks, but rather due to rock solid reliability, a continual focus on safety issues, and, of course, the inclusion of symmetrical all-wheel drive on all of its models.

During my drive,

The Impreza wagon seems very well-built compared to most other compact rivals. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

I was first impressed with how solid it feels, and with that, how planted to the road no matter how hard I pushed it. And this in a tallish crossover? Yes, I know it sounds improbable, but despite its increase in ride height the Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon really takes to the corners well.

It also seems very well-built compared to most other compact rivals, as if it could withstand frontal or side impacts and look better after doing so, protecting its occupants more as well, than the majority of small cars in its compact class. Crash test results of the previous generation

The Impreza wagon offers plenty of room in back. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Impreza, incidentally, which were done prior to the new cars "ring frame reinforced body structure" that includes a hydroformed front subframe and side sills plus tailored-blank welded B-pillars, attest that it does survive impact better than its competitors, and therefore the 2006 model should improve on the cars strong record even more due to smart dual stage frontal airbags and standard front-seat head/chest side-impact airbags. The smart designation means that sensors detect the position of the front passenger in order to mete out deployment. If theres a child on board the airbag will deploy differently than if an adult is occupying the seat. I should mention

The Impreza wagons practicality includes the functionality of a wagon configuration, opening up the cargo area to much more available loading space. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

that such a system is not new, but usually only available in higher priced premium vehicles, not the entire range of an entry-level compact model. Impressive, Subaru!

In case you were wondering, the Impreza lineup is pretty large. Truly, the only two body styles missing would be coupe and convertible models, hmmm... gets a person thinking doesnt it? Currently, mind you, the lineup includes the 2.5i Sedan and the 2.5i Sport Wagon were covering here, plus the high-performance WRX and WRX STI sedans and wagons. The wagon, compared to its sedan sibling and WRX duo, is probably the typical Subaru, in that it puts practicality before flash.
That practicality includes the functionality

Truly, its interior is the most impressive improvement over the 2005 Impreza. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

of a wagon configuration, opening up the cargo area to much more available loading space, 27.9 cubic feet total when the rear seatbacks are upright and 61.6 cubic feet if the second row seatbacks are folded flat. As outfitted, my tester was trimmed with a little more rough and ready style than the base 2.5i Sport Wagon - that would be its flash element.

Inside, an upscale ambience comes standard on all Imprezas, again a step above the majority in this class. Its also well equipped off the rack with features like the aforementioned standard side-impact airbags that are normally left for the options list. Other items, such as standard all-wheel drive and four-wheel disc brakes with standard four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), are examples of how this Japanese

While the Impreza wagon comes standard with a five-speed manual, the car I tested was fitted with Subarus four-speed automatic with manual-mode. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

brand puts its customers first, never allowing a substandard product to pull down the brands image and ruin its stellar reputation.

This attitude, however, makes its cars a little more expensive than most rivals, a penalty its loyal customers have proven willing to pay. And now that Subaru has improved the Imprezas cabin, it now feels worth the extra coin, reliability and safety issues aside. Truly, its interior is the most impressive improvement over the 2005 Impreza. Now its surface plastics are a little softer to the touch and feature a higher quality matte finish than before. Its panel gaps are about as tight as any in this category and switchgear is also very good.

That switchgear connects to a standard AM/FM/CD audio system, plus air conditioning, power windows, powered and heated mirrors, automatic door locks with remote keyless entry,

The upgraded engine is plenty poiwerful. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

tilt steering, an exterior temperature gauge and intermittent wipers. Additionally, the seats are excellent, steering wheel the best around and overall ergonomics extremely good.

This is important, as getting comfortable will help its driver feel in control when velocities begin to rise. Yes, once again the Impreza five-door comes equipped with a powerful engine to complement its sporty appearance, but now it even has more punch. With a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine on tap compared to 165-hp in last years car, it now gets up and goes with less hesitation than the already quick 2005 car. The engine now features oil pressure actuated i-Active Valve Lift, a variable valve timing system that not only boosts power at the upper edges of the rev range, but also fattens up the mid-range torque curve. Torque remains constant at 166 lb-ft.

While the Impreza comes standard with a five-speed manual, the car I tested was fitted with Subarus

From the rear, it takes a more educated eye to notice the changes. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

four-speed automatic with manual-mode, not as sophisticated a transmission as Hondas new five-speed unit but nevertheless a robust gearbox. The Impreza makes a great deal more torque than the Civic, mind you, so acceleration still feels brisk and the transmissions shifts are quite instantaneous.

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