Test Drive: Subaru Impreza S-GT ~ Fast Cars, Cool Cars, Best Cars

The Subaru Impreza is best known among car fans as a superb rally car made famous by Colin McRae. And it is also well known as the arch nemesis of the Mitsubishi Evolution series. The latest version of the Impreza departs from its original sedan design and opts for a 5-door hatchback version instead. My review car is the Subaru Impreza S-GT.

Exterior & Design: The new hatchback design is a major shift from the previous versions. And it does take some getting used to. However, I must admit that it looks rather good and pleasing unlike the ugly older bug-eyed design. The huge bonnet air-scoop which is a trademark of all Impreza WRXs is still there to remind us of its pedigree. Compared with its bigger brother the Impreza STI, the S-GT looks milder and less aggressive without the extra bulges along its front and rear wheel arches.

Interior: The interior of this Impreza is certainly much improved from the previous versions. However, I reckon it is still too plasticky and grey. And the plastics feel hard and cheap. Built quality is good and sports seats are provided as standard. Sitting position is good and the sports seats provide wonderful support without being too constricting. The S-GT comes with a CD player with FM radio and a USB input as standard. This CD player sticks out like a sorethumb on the centre console. Very tasteless I would say and it does not blend well with the interior design. Being a hatchback, the boot space is definitely less than a sedan’s. However, it is big enough to fit a big luggage bag and more.

Engine: The S-GT’s boxer flat-four EJ20 engine is marvellous. This 1994cc turbocharged engine manages to pump out 250bhp and 333Nm of torque. That’s a lot of power for a car this size. That’s 25hp more than the RM200K Civic Type R and just 50hp less than its bigger bro STI (which costs RM70K extra). There is minimal turbo lag from this impressive engine and the S-GT is very responsive. The only gripe is that it is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. It does have semi-automatic shifting though but the response is rather slow. Those who love to hear the sweet burble of the boxer engine will be disappointed as this engine is quiet even when revved hard.

The Drive: Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system provides a competent and comfortable ride. The steering is well weighted and very responsive. And the turning radius is small. The S-GT feels stable at high speeds both in a straight line and also when cornering. The cabin is also very quiet and well insulated. Overall, the S-GT is very easy to drive fast and you will be breaking the speed limit before you even know it.

Conclusion: The Subaru Impreza S-GT is a softer more functional version of the STI. It is a capable car with lots of power and can perform when the need arises. However, it feels more at home as a fast family car. Its list price is RM185000 and if your main requirement is power, then no other new car comes close at this price. But if you are looking for a car with an overall package of power, nice design and a comfortable interior, this is not your cup of tea.

More info: http://www.motorimage.net/MY/showroom/

Rivals: VW Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R, BMW 1 series