New Car Review of the 2005 Subaru Impreza Compact Sedan and Hatchback Wagon

Description: Compact Sedan and Hatchback Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $18,095 - $19,095
Invoice Price Range: $16,862 - $17,781
Where built: Japan

Subaru's compact cars ride on a chopped chassis out of the Legacy series. Format variations include a four-door sedan and five-door wagon.

This year the Impreza line promotes five different vehicles, with sedans cast as the 2.5 RS and new 2.5 RS Sport Package. A station wagon treatment goes as 2.5 RS Sport Wagon. And there are two variations for Outback Sport, including new Special Edition with a spoiler on the back gate and a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the cockpit plus premium audio gear with six-disc CD changer and a sub-woofer. New Impreza 2.5 RS Sport Package sedan borrows cues from racy WRX with body-color side ground effects, special performance bucket seats and a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel.

All Imprezas use a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine good for 165-hp with standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic now with new electronic controls.