Buckle up, Subaru Impreza fans! We’re about to take a thorough dive into the world of this iconic compact car. In this no-nonsense guide, we’ll dissect each Impreza generation to uncover the gems and the duds.
Armed with information from the big guns – NHTSA, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds – we’ve crunched the numbers to pinpoint the Impreza years that’ll give you the most value for your buck.
But we’re not stopping there. We’ll also shine a light on owner-reported reliability, safety ratings, and those pesky annual maintenance costs.
Ready to discover which Impreza years you should snag and which ones you should avoid?
Let’s hit the accelerator and get started!
Table of ContentsShow
Subaru Impreza Generations
The Subaru Impreza burst onto the scene in the early ’90s, turning heads with its perfect blend of practicality and sportiness. This compact car quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to its symmetrical all-wheel drive and that efficient boxer engine Subaru’s famous for.
Want a swift snapshot of the Impreza’s evolution? Check this out:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 2nd generation (GD/GG) | 2002-2007 |
| 3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR) | 2008-2011 |
| 4th generation (GJ/GP) | 2012-2016 |
| 5th generation (GK/GT) | 2017-Present |
Here’s the deal: each generation brought some serious changes to the table. If you’re thinking about joining the Impreza club or just curious about its history, knowing these generational differences could be a game-changer.
Subaru Impreza Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
So, how do we separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to Impreza years? We’ve got a complete toolkit of factors:
- What owners are saying (surveys don’t lie!)
- How much you’ll shell out for annual maintenance
- Safety ratings (because who doesn’t want to feel secure?)
- Consumer Reports’ take on reliability and owner satisfaction
- NHTSA’s tally of recalls, investigations, and complaints
- Ratings from the pros at Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB), VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
Want to see how the Impreza’s performed over the years? Take a look at this:
And for those who like their info neatly packaged, here’s a breakdown of the best, neutral, and worst Impreza years:
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd generation (GD/GG) | 2005 | 2006 2007 | 2002 2003 2004 |
| 3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR) | 2010 2011 | N/A | 2008 2009 |
| 4th generation (GJ/GP) | 2014 2015 2016 | N/A | 2012 2013 |
| 5th generation (GK/GT) | 2021 2022 2023 2024 | 2020 | 2017 2018 2019 |
“Neutral Years” are the middle-of-the-road Imprezas. Not exceptional, not terrible – just decent all-rounders.
Watch out for those NHTSA recalls, though. A bunch of those can tank a car’s reliability score faster than you can say “Check Engine Light.”
Now, let’s get our hands dirty and dive into what makes each year tick. Best, worst, and everything in between – we’re breaking it all down. Ready?
Let’s roll!
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 2nd Generation (2002-2007)
The second-gen Impreza hit the streets in 2002, and boy, did it make a splash! This generation brought us the legendary Impreza WRX and WRX STI variants. But like any family, it had its stars and its black sheep.
The Best Years: 2005
2005 was the year the Impreza really hit its stride. Here’s why:
- The turbocharged EJ20 2.0-liter engine was a powerhouse.
- Subaru fixed those pesky transmission issues from earlier models.
- The “blob-eye” facelift turned heads and won hearts.
- Safety features got a serious upgrade.
- The WRX model scored some sweet perks like automatic climate control and sleek body-color ground effects.
Plus, with fuel economy clocking in at 15 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, it was a success with both velocity demons and daily commuters.
The Neutral Years: 2006, 2007
The 2006 and 2007 Imprezas didn’t rock the boat, but they didn’t sink it either. Subaru played it safe, refining existing systems rather than reinventing the wheel. These models built on the sturdy foundation of the 2005 Impreza, delivering a dependable ride without any groundbreaking changes.
The Worst Years: 2002, 2003, 2004
The early risers of this generation caught some worms:
- 2002 and 2003 models had a nasty habit of smelling like fuel in cold weather. Turns out, those fuel lines were cracking due to temperature changes. Yikes!
- Brake issues? Check. Suspension problems? Double check. The front lower control arm had a tendency to play hide and seek.
- 2004 kicked off a long string of airbag recalls that haunted Subaru until 2023.
But here’s the twist: despite these stumbles, the WRX models from this era still have a devoted following. Go figure!
Want to delve deeper?
Check out the 2002, 2003, 2004 NHTSA Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 3rd Generation (2008-2014)
The third-gen Impreza was Subaru’s shot at the big leagues. They were aiming for the mainstream market, serving up a delectable cocktail of performance, safety, and tech. But not every year was a hole in one.
NOTE
This generation averaged a whopping 15 recalls per model year. If you’re eyeing one of these, do yourself a favor and run that VIN to make sure all the recalled bits have been fixed up.
The Best Years: 2010, 2011
By 2010, Subaru had ironed out the kinks:
- The 2.5-liter EJ255 engine was a beast, largely unchanged from previous years.
- 2011 saw the WRX flex its muscles with a wide-body shell and quad muffler tips.
- New trim levels gave buyers plenty of options to choose from.
- Safety was top-notch, with Electronic Stability Control becoming standard in many markets.
- Fuel economy improved, hitting 17 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
The Worst Years: 2008, 2009
The early third-gen models stumbled out of the gate:
- That pesky Takata airbag issue from earlier generations? Yeah, it stuck around.
- The powertrain, especially the clutch system, had some gremlins. Owners reported creaking noises and, in worst-case scenarios, total clutch failure.
- Brake line failures due to corrosion were common enough to trigger a recall in 2014.
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 4th Generation (2012-2016)
The fourth-gen Impreza was Subaru’s tech showcase, bringing a fresh design language and refined powertrains to the table. But as always, some years shone brighter than others.
The Best Years: 2014, 2015, 2016
These years were the pick of the litter:
- The 2l FB20 flat-four engine, introduced in 2012, had proven its mettle by 2014.
- 2015 models got some sweet upgrades: rearview camera, cruise control, and a 6.2-inch touchscreen.
- Safety was top-tier, with 2015 and 2016 models equipped with EyeSight snagging the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
- Fuel economy was impressive: 20 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
The Worst Years: 2012, 2013
The early fourth-gen models had some teething problems:
- Engine valve spring fractures in 2012-2014 models could cause stalling.
- The 2012 model’s Occupant Detection System in airbags was prone to glitches.
- Some 2013 owners reported issues with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Curious about the details?
Check out the NHTSA 2012, 2013 Subaru Impreza recalls and grievances.
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 5th Generation (2017-2024)
The fifth-gen Impreza was Subaru’s love letter to tech-savvy drivers, blending rally heritage with contemporary design. But heads up: as of now, these models are dealing with a stubborn windshield issue that Subaru hasn’t quite cracked yet.
The Best Years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
These years are when the Impreza really reached its peak:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across all trims in 2021.
- The FB20 2.0 liter direct-injection boxer-four engine got a makeover.
- Fuel efficiency skyrocketed to 21 mpg city and 41 mpg highway.
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology became standard, packing features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.
The Neutral Years: 2020
The 2020 Impreza was the middle child of the fifth generation – not bad, not great, just… there. It brought forward many improvements from earlier years but also held onto some of their quirks.
The Worst Years: 2017, 2018, 2019
The early fifth-gen models stumbled out of the gate:
- 2017 saw a major “headlight recall” due to inadequate light reflection.
- Windshields cracking at the lower edges became a common complaint.
- Engine Control Module issues in 2017-2019 models could lead to engine stalling.
Want the nitty-gritty?
Check out the NHTSA 2017, 2018, 2019 Subaru Impreza recalls and grievances.
Subaru Impreza Average Resale Value
Curious about how well the Impreza holds its value? Take a gander at this:
Conclusion
There you have it, folks! Some Impreza years are clearly head and shoulders above the rest. Do your homework and pick the model year that fits your needs like a glove.
Now, it’s your turn! Which Subaru Impreza era have you taken for a spin?
How did it measure up in terms of productivity and dependability?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below – we’re all ears!
