2003 Subaru Impreza GX Sportswagon review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

Bought to replace a very reliable 19 month old Renault Clio, my Wife's absolutely delighted with her Subaru. I've got to admit, so am I!

Having previously owned 3 Impreza Turbos and currently the owner of an 02 WRX PPP, I really wanted her to buy a s/h WRX, but her good sense won through, and a new GX Sportswagon was purchased.

It's early days, but it was 100% on delivery, and has remained that way. The dealer was excellent and the 1K service was carried out at short notice and very efficiently.

Although still very tight, the engine pulls hard and has good mid range acceleration. Economy to date's been excellent, despite a relatively hard life. Way better than we'd hoped for.

The sports seats are comfortable, and the 03 model's pretty well equipped, with Air Con, CD player, air bags, ABS with EBD, 4WD, alloys, fog lights, power steering, remote locking, Cat1 Alarm etc etc. Interior and luggage space, whilst not vast, should give more than enough space for most. I'm 6' 3" and have plenty of room.

The best part of the car for me however, is the handling. The body control is tremendous! You can drive it deep into corners, safe in the knowledge that it has the ability to cope with the roughest of surfaces. The fairly wide, but decidedly non sporting Michelin tyres, grip and grip. Nothing seems to be able to shift it off line. The ride's pretty good too.

Overall, the car's no WRX, but it's also not the slow poke I thought it might be!