2006 Subaru Impreza R from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

The time lag response when immediate acceleration is needed.

Two switch selection to engage cruise control is annoying.

What a strange review! What looks like a negative review ends up being a review with relatively high rankings.

What is a Subaru R by the way? Are you talking RS? WRX? What?

As an owner of an older model Subaru, I was really looking forward to a proper review of the current 2006 model. Alas, this is not the one!

I'm not the original poster, but just to let you know, the "R" is the 2.0 li engine. I test drove the car and it's sluggish and unresponsive. Makes you nervous entering a busy roundabout. Wheels magazine down under says it's tiring to drive and the Astra 1.8 li station wagon is a lot better. I however ended up buying the Outlander, better space, a true 4x4 and 2.4 li Mivec with Invecs II is just spot on.

From what I gather Subarus in other countries than America have much smaller engines, something in the line of 140 horsepower. Given that, I would agree it is not enough to motivate this car with its AWD.

In britain all impreza turbo 06 onwards now come with 2.5 ltr engines. The non turbo GX keeps the 2.0 but power is upped to 168 bhp. Not bad. The STi is 280 bhp WRX 230. Who knows what special models will be released.

Of course there is going to be acceleration lag... Who buys an AUTOMATIC turbo-charged car?

I own a 2006 Impreza 2.0R (twin cam 2.0lt with VVT) and anyone who thinks its "unresponsive" doesn't know how to drive it, it's a sweet engine that loves to rev. For sure its not as quick as a WRX, but with 117kw its no slug.

Ours (its really my wifes car) has now done 12,000klm and you could really notice an improvement in performance around 10,000klms when the engine loosened up.

The steering and handling is brilliant.

If I had to find something to criticize it would be the fuel economy, but the thing is such a joy to drive that's something I'm prepared to put up with.

I agree, (I haven't driven one), but to say it hasn't got enough power for the AWD system is silly; after all Subaru made a 93 BHP 1.6 model a few years ago didn't they? And this R is a 2.0 with over 160 bhp. The figures put it at 8.0 seconds dead on to 60 mph. That's good for a 2.0 non-turbo saloon.

I have driven an Impreza 2.0R in the UK and it's a quick enough car. It has quad-cam 160bhp engine that loves to rev like crazy.

I have just bought a normally-aspirated 2.0 automatic with 30,000km on the clock. There is definitely a delay when you put your foot down. It is a serious cause for concern when overtaking. Also, at highway speeds the transmission is very frustrating - even in 'power' mode it drops into top gear much too soon. Previous post about fuel economy was right on the money too. I think it's because you have to keep your right foot planted because of the transmission.