VERY IMPREZZIVE (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Introductionword count: 85

The Subaru Impreza used to be something of an under-rated car. It's not the case on the international rally scene of course. In the showroom however, things were a little different. Sales got off to a slow start in 1993 and didn't pick up much until the rally successes began making the headlines. Today, however, buyers rate the medium-sized Subaru, placing it high in the JD Power/Top Gear Customer Satisfaction Surveys. These people reckon it's a great buy; check one out and you'll probably agree.

Modelsword count: 21

Models Covered: 4 door saloon, 5 door hatchback: 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 turbo [LX, GL, Sport, 4wd Turbo, 22B, Terzo, P1])

Historyword count: 318

The Impreza was introduced in May 1993, with 1.8-litre power and the choice of a bland-looking saloon or an innovative five-door hatch-cum-small estate, both offered in GL form with standard four-wheel drive. A two-wheel drive 1.6-litre model was added later that year and also offered in cheaper LX guise. More significantly, the superb four-wheel drive 2.0-litre turbo version was launched in May 1994, the roadgoing version of the rally car - though faster variants were offered in Japan. This was an instant hit. In December 1995, 2.0-litre models were announced as the 1.8 and 1.6-litre variants were gradually phased out. All Imprezas were now four-wheel drive. A popular Sport model was added in March 1996 to bridge the gap between the GL and the 2000 Turbo 4wd. It performed like a GL but looked like a Turbo. Cosmetic changes were made to the 2000 Turbo 4wd in both 1997 and 1998, the latter year bringing more power, better seats and white instrument dials. There's also a rare British-developed two-door called the P1, introduced early in 2000. If you're searching for a used Turbo model, you'll find lots of 'grey imported' examples, usually in more powerful WRX or STi guises. These are desirable - and likely to be well priced - but, as ever, grey imports can be a minefield for the uninitiated, so make so that you know exactly what you're buying. Winter 2000 saw the launch of an all-new Impreza range. Whilst the looks took some getting used to, Subaru managed to hit the target with the driving dynamics. The range consisted of the 95bhp 1.6-litre TS five-door sports wagon, the 125bhp 2.0 GX sports wagon and four-door saloon, and the 218bhp WRX saloon and sports wagon. The range was added to in late 2001 when the 'official' Euro-spec WRX STi model arrived, available with or without a Prodrive body kit and boasting no less than 265bhp.

What You Getword count: 90

A reliable, fun to drive family alternative. The only real drawback to ownership is the awful interior, a sea of cheap-looking plastic. The tweed-effect seat trim doesn't help either; it all reminds you of a car worth a lot less. But there are many compensations. The four-wheel drive system fitted to most examples is chief amongst them of course, put to best use in the 2000 Turbo 4wd - a future classic. Choose the five-door over the saloon but don't expect any more space than in any ordinary Escort-sized hatch.

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