2004 Subaru Impreza Walkaround Review at Automotive.com
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Subaru
Impreza
2004

2004 Subaru Impreza Review: Exterior

Below is a full, detailed 2004 Subaru Impreza review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless ...     read more
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2004 Subaru Impreza Review

WRX STi headlines sporty lineup of sedans and wagons.
Walkaround
Subaru looked to its rally team to update the appearance of the Impreza line. For 2004, Subaru Impreza models feature a lower, more aerodynamic hood with a grille designed to admit more cooling air. Gone are the unpopular large oval headlamps. Many thought they made Imprezas look goggle-eyed, like that kid in fourth grade who was always getting beat up. The new headlamps have two round lenses under glass, the outer lens truncated on the bottom by the front bumper, the inner scooped into the bumper.

The WRX began in Japan in 1993 as a homologation special, a limited-production model built to satisfy production requirements for the World Rally Championship. Hugely popular in Europe, the WRC is a series of races run on all types of roads, often unpaved, and in all kinds of weather. Subaru's turbocharged all-wheel drive is particularly well suited to driving flat out on treacherous roads. Rally-prepared Subarus have been available in Japan and Europe for several years, but the WRX was the first to be certified for the U.S.

The WRX STi stands out from its stablemates with a large hood scoop that directs air to the intercooler and a tall dual-plane rear wing that balances the STi aerodynamically at high speeds. Up front, where other Imprezas have fog lights, the STi has blank panels emblazoned with the pink STi logo. Why no fog lights there? Because Subaru's World Championship Rally cars don't have them there.

All Impreza windshields are flanked by specially shaped moldings that direct rainwater over the roof rather than onto the side glass, which is flush in the sedan's conventional greenhouse. All Imprezas have easy-to-open door handles.

Large taillamps flank a trunk opening that extends down to the rear bumper. The trunklid has been carefully sculpted, a small lip added to the trailing edge. The rear bumper cap wraps all the way to the rear wheel openings and is contoured for a sporting effect. The rear of the car is highlighted by "SUBARU" spelled out across the rear. WRX gets a large "WRX" badge on the lower left side and a dual-outlet exhaust under the rear bumper. STi adds the pink STi badge on the lower right side of the trunklid and the exhaust has a single large outlet.

If the WRX's styling was dramatic, the STi's is seismic. The vibrant dark blue, similar to Subaru's rally team colors, with the fender flares dramatically catching the light, make the STi stand out from other compact cars like a shark among cod. The STi will also be offered in silver, white and black, but the blue is our favorite. The 17-inch alloy wheels will be offered in silver or rally gold.

The WRX presents the striking appearance of too much machine for the wrapper, bulging out at each fender, its engine reaching for air for the intercooler through a prominent hood scoop. The STi sees that and doubles the bet. These features express the rally heritage of the WRX. The WRX and WRX STi sedans are distinguished by blister fender flares that permit a 20 mm wider front track. (The 2.5 RS comes with the same fenders as the WRX.) The WRX Sport Wagon has wheel openings with raised lips, as do the 2.5 TS and the Outback Sport.

The WRX has Bridgestone Potenza RE92 all-season performance tires size 205/55R16 on 16x6.5-inch alloy wheels. The STi goes that one better with 17 x 7.5 inch BBS brand aluminum alloy wheels shod with 225/45ZR17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070 directional summer-compound tires that look like something off a show car or a racecar. Next Page


2004 Subaru Impreza