Automobiles

Photos: 2009 Subaru Impreza GT

The Impreza GT fits between the base Impreza and the WRX in Subaru's model lineup. But with no cabin tech options available and a price comparable with the WRX, we can't see what this car is doing in the line-up.

Wayne Cunningham

Dec. 10, 2008 3:44 p.m. PT

Wayne Cunningham

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2009 Subaru Impreza GT

Subaru gets a lot of use from its Impreza platform, using it for everything from an inexpensive compact car to the rally-pedigreed WRX STI. The GT version sits right in the middle of the line-up.

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Front design

The Impreza's new design, launched last year, narrows the grille and dips the front down, yet retains a nice bow-shaped curve from headlight to headlight.

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Side design

From the side, the Impreza GT appears more like a standard compact car, although the belt-line gives a sporty edge. The car can carry five people, with a little tightness in the rear seat. The car is also available as a hatchback.

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Turbocharged

The engine is what makes this car a GT. Subaru takes the base 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine and adds an intercooled turbocharger, bumping up the horsepower from 170 to 224.

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Scoop

The scoop is an aggressive styling element, and also serves to feed the turbocharger.

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All-wheel-drive

As with all Subarus, the Impreza GT gets an all-wheel-drive system. It also has an electronic limited slip differential to further improve handling.

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Interior quality

We like the interior build quality, but Subaru doesn't make any cabin tech options available on the GT.

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Steering wheel

Steering is reasonably tight in the Impreza GT, and we like how switchgear is inset on the steering wheel spokes.

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Tachometer

As the automatic transmission has a manual mode, the tachometer can be useful. But even in manual mode, the transmission will shift up if the revs get too high.

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Automatic transmission

We are not fans of this four-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission would have been preferable on this car.

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Cabin tech

Cabin tech consists of this stereo head unit. It has an in-dash six disc player that can read MP3 CDs, but there are no other options besides a dealer-installed iPod interface.

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