SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 GX
The Frequently Overlooked
Subaru Impreza 2.0 These Days Has A Little More Visual Punch. Andy Enright Takes A Look At The Latest 2.0 GX Model
Theres no doubt that a sort of cult has built up around the Subaru Impreza, buoyed up by the rally success, the long line of ever faster turbocharged cars and the awesome all-weather performance. The trouble is when many buyers are old enough to be able to afford the insurance on a racy WRX model, theyve developed families, bellies and a sensible
Audi A4/
BMW 3 Series outlook on life. Something had to be done. That something is the Impreza 2.
0 GX.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
This car has pragmatism writ large across it. Offering much of the visual kick of the Impreza WRX, the 2.0 GX is resolutely insurance friendly as well as being practical enough to convince sceptical spouses that it represents a viable alternative to a
Ford Focus. Theres a choice of saloon (£14,500) and five-door (£15,150) bodystyles and both of course heavily feature the improvements introduced into the latest generation Impreza line-up together with a carefully chosen package of more recent tweaks.
These include new, larger 7-spoke 16x6.5 ins alloy wheels with 205/50 tyres and a rear anti-roll bar to exploit extra grip and sharpen handling. Like all the latest Imprezas, this model also gets a smaller diameter 3-spoke steering wheel, plusher and extended cloth door trim, a plusher roof lining, a new, flush-fit centre console, new air-conditioning controls and new, quality-feeling switchgear The frontal styling is shared with the current World Rally Car and benefits from impressive high-speed stability and a low drag coefficient. The 2003 changes saw the adoption of new front and rear bumpers to give a sleeker appearance complementing the latest headlamps, plus a more steeply raked bonnet.
At the back, theres also a revised bumper and tail light combination, the lamp cluster mirroring the headlights curved dip to their inner edges.
"Offering much of the visual kick of the racy Impreza WRX, the 2.0 GX is resolutely insurance friendly"
Most of the attention given to the latest Impreza line-up has focused on the rocketship turbocharged models but in doing so, its easy to overlook quite what a well-rounded package the Impreza 2.0 GX represents. No amount of rally replica body styling or PR puff about heritage can detract from the fact that with just 125bhp under the bonnet, the GX is well shy of the 197bhp
Honda Civic Type-R or the 180bhp
SEAT Leon Cupra that sell for comparable money. Nevertheless, theres a depth of engineering and fluency to the Impreza that the others lack.
Whilst in the case of the SEAT and Honda, youre buying a breathed upon shopping hatch, with the
Subaru youre effectively buying a stripped down version of the Impreza WRX. Where the GX really scores is in its ability to distil all the genius of the WRX into a far more affordable package, and actually improve on it in certain areas. As befits true driving enthusiasts, the engineers at Subaru have spent most effort fine tuning the Imprezas engine, suspension, bodyshell and steering. Not that there was a great deal wrong in the first place.
As with so many evolutionary models, the latest generation Impreza range emerges as a better car, although perhaps not quite so exciting as the original first generation model. It certainly feels a more mature proposition. The interior does at least appear to be built to a far more acceptable standard of quality. The seats will feel slightly narrow for some tastes, but offer great support.
The somewhat cheap-looking silver finished centre console has been replaced by a classier dark metallic tone on all the 2.0-litre models. Higher quality cloth has been used throughout the range with this variant getting its own signature trim. As a result, while the cupholders still jam in their slots and theres some untidy finishing, the interior no longer feels like a cheap and cheerful Korean shopping hatch.
Driven back to back with the other Impreza models, you could argue the 2.0-litre GX to be possibly the pick of the range. Whilst its obviously a fair degree tardier than the Impreza WRX, the saving of nearly £5,000 more than makes up for this. Drive one hard and youll realise youve got 80% of the WRXs abilities in a far more affordable package.
For those buyers looking for something a little different to the usual family saloon or hatchback, it certainly merits further investigation. Certainly the steering, which in the WRX feels a tad numb at low speed, has an additional willingness to it in the 2.0 GX, aided in no small part by the narrower tyres. These tyres also help to give a beautiful predictability to the handling, especially as youll delight in driving the car at ten-tenths of its capabilities most of the time.
Wringing the power from the characterful boxer engine is something youll grow accustomed to, as the 2.0 GX will hit sixty in a modest 9.8 seconds on the way to a decidedly subsonic top speed of 118mph. With power steering, air conditioning, CD player, twin airbags, a hill holder clutch, spoiler kit and 15" alloy wheels, the 2.0 GX certainly doesnt want for standard equipment. Factor in a Category One remote alarm and immobiliser, sports seats and four-channel anti-lock brakes, and the 2.0 GX looks good value for its £14,500.
Whilst some may decry the Subaru Impreza 2.0 GX as the tamest of sheep in wolfs clothing, the modest power output doesnt detract from the fun on offer. The GX feels purer than any of the turbocharged models and makes a delightfully fluent B-road car. Whats more, it wont break the bank in terms of initial purchase or in running costs.
With Subaru consistently scoring highly in ownership surveys, the 2.0 GX could well be the sort of car that offers the best of both worlds. With a responsible, practical side it appeals to the head and with its fun-biased all-wheel drive chassis and sweet responses, it does the same for the heart.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Subaru Impreza 2.0 GX
PRICE: £14,500-£15,150 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 227g/km
PERFORMANCE:Max Speed 118mph/ 0-60mph 9.8s ECONOMY:(urban) 20.9 / (extra urban) 38.2 / (combined) 29.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drive and passenger airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 173/68/57"
<< Back to Subaru car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Subaru Cars For Sale UK
