I don’t get veggie-burgers. If something didn’t actually die for my dinner, I reckon it should at least have been pretty severely inconvenienced. What’s more, a good burger is always bad for you (arterial distress on a sesame-seed bun). So it is with the Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon. Why would anyone buy such an entirely sensible vehicle when they could drive away in a full-fat, hormone-injected WRX Sport Wagon? Why indeed. It’s time for a serious sampling of Fuji Heavy Industries Lite.
At first glance, the 2.5i Sport Wagon isn’t what you’d call an appetizing proposition. The Wagon’s snout-mounted upside-down Alfa-Romeo radiator-hole looks decidedly indelicate. At least the 2.5i’s got a more graceful front end than the WRX Sports Wagon, whose hood scoop gives it a nostrilly appearance that only Prince Charles could truly love. The rest of the 2.5i’s body is blissfully free from flared wheel-arches, rear spoilers and other vulgarities. It’s as restrained as muesli.
There aren’t many other external clues differentiating the 2.5i Impreza from its beefcake cousin. In fact, park the 2.5i next to older versions of the same car, and you’d be hard pressed to date the evolution. Yes, every couple of years Subaru fits new alloys and affixes prettier tail-lights to its Imprezas. But that’s the same sleight of hand used by every 17-year-old when pimping out a mid-nineties Civic hatchback. Suddenly, that wacky schnoz starts to make sense; it’s the only easily identifiable (and how) feature in an otherwise humdrum design.
Open the SW’s sashless doors and you’ll discover more blast-from-the-past-ery. Judging from the dubious quality of it’s-a-hard-knock-life plastics deployed throughout the cabin, Subie’s parent must shelter a shopping-bag recycling company under its corporate wing. If you can bear touching the 2.5i’s shiny, not-so-happy control surfaces, all the basic amenities are pleasant and accounted for: A/C, cruise control, in-dash CD, keyless entry, etc. The controls and dials are laid out with all the simplicity befitting their, um, simplicity.
The 2.5i’s front seats are well bolstered beneath their cheap upholstery. The Wagon’s back seats are comfy enough– provided you’ve got rubber femurs. Folding down the rear chairs creates a cargo space large enough to stow both bicycles and battered guitar cases. But let’s be honest: the SW is no wood-panelled ocean-liner of a Vista Cruiser. In fact, it’s nothing more or less than a capacious hatchback, offering the same 62 cubic foot cargo capacity found in my old Mazda 626 liftback. Hey Doc, maybe if I drive the little Subie 88 miles per hour I can get back to 1991.
Great Scott! Cranking over the Sport Wagon’s 2.5-litre boxer engine generates the sort of agricultural noise normally heard whilst perched atop the red horseshoe seat of an antique Massey-Ferguson. Luckily, everything soon settles down to a dull wobble. This is your first clue to the Impreza’s dynamic personality. “Hello!” the offbeat vibrations say, “This is not a normal car.”
Although the 2.5i’s engine is only good for 173hp @ a relatively lofty 6000rpm, the SW musters-up enough twist (166 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm) to take some hoon-oriented liberties with its electronically controlled variable transfer clutch (a.k.a. all wheel-drive). The little Impreza practically leaps off the line– and then strolls to sixty in a shade over eight seconds. Never mind; at full chat, the Subie’s boxer engine roars like a bathtub speedster. It simply begs to be flung into the nearest corner.
Ah yes, corners. The Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon may slingshot out of turns with less alacrity than a WRX, but at least it does so with equal bravado. With its compact engine mounted longitudinally on the down low, and a sports-tuned four-wheel independent suspension, the SW is a superbly sure-footed, balanced performer. Body roll is minimal, tire adhesion predictable, throttle response enjoyable and braking thank-God-able.
In the rain, driving the Sports Wagon is like playing football on a muddy field wearing cleats— when everyone else is slipping around in sneakers. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Rudyard Kipling’s ride: “If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs, you’re probably driving a Subaru.”
There are a few quirky quibbles. The Sport Wagon’s clutch pedal action is funny. The shifter has a slightly plasticky feeling (shopping bags again). And… that’s about it. In fact, the Sports Wagon is everything an enthusiast could want in a family hatchback– save good looks, touchy-feely materials and neck snapping acceleration. It’s so multi-purpose, it ought to come with a corkscrew attachment. At a hair under $18k, what’s stopping you?
The WRX Sport Wagon. For another $7k you get better tunes, improved plastics, sportier dials, a roof spoiler and 51 more horses. While the veggie-burger edition is thoroughly justifiable and a lot less unsatisfying than you’d imagine, the red meat iteration is, dare I say it, irresistible.
77 Comments on “Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon Review...”
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I think a majority of buyers will go WRX, but the 2.5i does seem to fill a nitch. It’s become very popular to modify a car with hand-me-downs. WRX owners buy used STi parts, sell their used WRX parts to 2.5RS/2.5i owners, and everyone ends up happy. For my money, the old bug-eye front fascia is still Subaru’s best effort since the GC8 Impreza was retired in 2001, but the new front looks very nice from the driver’s seat.
It’s not as nice as the WRX–but 7 grand is a LOT of money. This car, though not my cup of tea, sounds like a decent bargain.
This car is more than likely to replace our 200,000+ mile GC8 Impreza sedan, which has provided stellar service and lacks only the raised roof cargo area for canine transport.
If our reviewer thinks the current interior seating and plastics are low-rent and dated, I will offer up the mid-90s version as being almost Yugo-esque. As unattractive and poorly tactile as the materials may be, I’ve found them to be surprisingly durable. The seat upholstery, in fact, far outlived the foam padding in the seat bottom. To this GC8 owner, the newer car’s interior is steeped in luxury.
Can’t handle the Edsel-parody nose on the Subie? Then pick up the identical car with more attractive styling over at Saab in the form of the 9-2X.
The Impreza is distinctive in being one of the few Japanese cars that actually has a soul. The personality of these cars has always been cheerfully eager, with just a dash of attitude that makes you scoff at SUV commercials, all the while thinking “Hell, my Subaru can do that.”
If it helps any, the WRX has about $2,000 in extra standard features, things like automatic climate control, a CD changer, a limited-slip rear diff, and a body kit. So after adjusting for these the turbo, larger wheels, upgraded suspension and brakes, and superior audio set you back “only” about $4,500.
For other price comparisons:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Impreza.php
I do think you’re a bit hard on the interior. It’s hard plastic, but it seems sturdy and functional to me, not shiny and cheap.
Having purchased a Saabaru (2006 9-2X 2.5i) for my “I don’t care about cars” better half, I agree it is very fun to drive. When you corner the car it actually gives great feedback, enough to build confidence. She fit the bill: Doesn’t need a turbo, wanted bad weather security and likes black cars, but doesn’t like the sexual preference stereotype of a female driving a Subaru.
Mind you I wouldn’t buy one but for 18K it’s good enough. The Mazda3 is probably a better choice for style and sport but Suburu knows their customer base ( see earlier post) and caters to repeat business by keeping the imprezza in the same style.
What was the reviewer expecting from this car? Just because the car is called “sport” does not mean it’s fair game to consider it a sports car per se.
At the end of the day it’s get you through bad weather, haul you to work, be famously reliable, and offers decent value. Mileage is another story with Suburus, they are known for being less efficient than comparable cars, but they’re safe cars and people seem to like them.
Antone
She doesn’t like cars, but she likes black cars? I assume you make her do all the washing and detailing, then? :D
Seems like a nice value if you want to save on insurance vs. the WRX, but otherwise the rex seems like it’s worth it for the extra cash.
I like the tuner hand-me-down comment above, very true.
It’s funny to hear all the stereotypes about Subaru owners: granola-eaters, lesbians, lefties who used to drive old VWs, etc. Here in Colorado, every other car seems to be a Subaru, owned by everyone from teachers, doctors, hippies, snowboarders, kayakers, and even Jesus freaks (as evidenced by their bumper stickers). Great cars, and they do have a lot of character. BUT…there are other Japanese cars that have plenty of character and soul. Let’s not go there, eh?
The Saaburu has left the building. 2006 was its last year. GM gave most of them away for crazy money, under $20k for the turbo.
ejacobs
Last time I was in Colorado, I was convinced that state was the only reason Subaru even sells cars in the states. I might see one Subie a day in Alabama (usually a modded WRX). , unless I’m out climbing or hiking (usually an Outback wagon). Probably the rarest major marque here, and I can’t even think of where a dealer is. There’s no stigma or stereotype with them except for “speed demon” (see WRX above).
But it makes sense, and I’m glad that Subie offers the affordable, thinking-person’s alternative to the SUV. That’s a great niche to fill.
Why didn’t Subaru just paint that toilet seat on the grille white and add a handle ?
as for the trickle-down theory – sometimes it trickles up. A lot of the STI’s buyers are typically more well endowed (monitarily) than other Impreza buyers… and that rear wing IS a bit Garish. So a few people will swap trunks (spoiler and all) between a WRX and an STi.
I personally think the STi looks fantastic without the wing; i wish it was an option rather than standard equipment.
I think the reviewer didn’t notice that the manual transmission version of the Impreza has a viscous coupled locking differential full time AWD system. The electronically controlled variable transfer center differential is only with the automatic transmission.
And as someone who now is driving their second WRX wagon, the turbo version can be gotten out the dealer’s door for around $23K. Which makes it a heck of a buy for what it is. The only other advantage to the non-blown version is the Rex’s appetite for premium fuel.
The mandatory 2-paragraph discussion of the design (which must include some reference to “soft touch plastic”) might be boring, but it could at least be accurate. The flared wheel arches are shared between the 2.5i sedan and WRX sedan. Neither wagon version has the flares.
Also, how about a picture of the wagon?
In 1997 I was so impressed with the Forester I bought one. Then about six months later, the ad wizards at Subaru started aggressively marketing my heightened, boxy Impreza to lesbians. Doh. Oh well, I kept it until my first ride in a WRX (driven by a rally driver) with the idea that perhaps this will be a subie that won’t be pitched by Paul Hogan to the birkenstock crowd… great car.
I LOL’d when I scrolled over your pic. That being said, I have nothing against lesbians.
Puritanism with personality.
Populism and rugged individualism.
Hang the crapulous interior (as we did with Beetles and and Volvo Amazons and three-cylinder Saabs) and other Indiana-built indelicacies.
It’s a car that makes a statement without bling or appurtenances (you can buy the WRX if you want apprutenances).
Me likee.
wludavid:The mandatory 2-paragraph discussion of the design (which must include some reference to “soft touch plastic”) might be boring, but it could at least be accurate. The flared wheel arches are shared between the 2.5i sedan and WRX sedan. Neither wagon version has the flares.
The title of this review should indicate to you that I was exclusively looking at the wagon. There just aren’t that many press pics FOR the wagon, unless it’s a WRX.
alanp:
I think the reviewer didn’t notice that the manual transmission version of the Impreza has a viscous coupled locking differential full time AWD system. The electronically controlled variable transfer center differential is only with the automatic transmission.
You’re right, I failed to distinguish that.
For those of you that think I’m being had on the car, I actually LOVED this little thing. Being a dedicated driver-first, I wouldn’t care if the interior was made of styrofoam and cardboard, as long as the car was fun. And it was. The Mazda3 might be sporty and attractive, but the Subaru is more fun to drive, especially if you live someplace it rains. And, to tell the truth, there were only, oh, 2 or 3 times I actually wished for more power. Other than that she was a hoot-and-a-half.
The only real difficulty with one of these, I suppose, is coming out to find a WRX wagon parked next to you. Try not to feel a twinge of regret (unless you’ve got an RS4 Avant in the garage at home)
Michael Karesh
I do think you’re a bit hard on the interior. It’s hard plastic, but it seems sturdy and functional to me, not shiny and cheap.
The Subaru’s rather crap interiors are part of the charm I think. It didn’t feel THAT sturdy, but functionality was okay. I will say this: the bargain basement Versa has a nicer feeling inside, BUT quality control seems to be much better for Subaru.
It’s a good utility car if you want one for cheap. Most buyers, my wife included opted for an Outback wagon for the additional room. I haven’t checked the sales figures but my hunch is the Outback wagon and the Forrester are Subaru’s primary sellers. I see them everywhere. 90% of the Impreza’s I see are all WRX with the occasional STI or 2.5.
With the 7 grand that GM is giving off of Saab 9-3 wagons I’d think I’d go that route. Only FWD however which is too bad.
I think the only wagon I would consider buying would be the Audi S4 (2004 or later). Eight cylinder engine, manual transmission, AWD and really good looks inside and out. The only other possible wagon which isn’t made anymore and can’t be bought in the states is the Lancer Evo IX wagon. Not pretty (better looking than a WRX wagon/hatch) but oh what a sleeper.
Gimme a Mazdaspeed 3 anyday. But then I live where we haven’t had any snow or ice in at least 5 YEARS. If I lived even one state north I’d probably prefer a Sube for the AWD.
Why get one of these when you could get a Forester though? Not much dorkier, more room, bigger engine. And you can pick up an XT with MUCH more go for a little more after discounts, and save in insurance compared to the WRX. I drove a WRX wagon(er.. hatch) and a Forester XT back to back. The Forester XT kicks the WRX hatch’s arse.
ash78:
Jim Burke is the dealer, they have some at their shop near UAB if you’re curious. Go by there at lunch and test drive one, those guys have nothing better to do, that is dealer purgatory.
The BMW 5-Series wagon is arguably much more attractive than the sedan. If they put the turbo six in there, it’ll be quite a package.
GM is actually discounting the 9-3 Aero wagon even more. Rebate is over $8,000, and the dealer is also certain to discount. Altogether you can probably get well over $10,000 off MSRP. Tempting. Not a good value at $36,000, but $26,000 is a different story.
Steve_S:
Be careful with the S4. Current generation architecture has too much weight over the axle. Will be corrected by moving the engine southward in the next iteration.
Current cars require constant attention to control arms, constant need to replace cv joint boots.
Subaru has yet to fit a U.S.-market Forester with a decent suspension. Even the new Sport models are essentially apperance packages (though the XT Sport has stability control for the first time in a Forester).
Check out the forum subaruforester.org, though, and it’s clear that excellent aftermarket fixes are available. Lots of lowered Foresters there.
rodster205:
The forester’s got more straight-line punch, but I don’t know if I’d feel as comfortable in it whilst 4-wheel drifting. The Impreza was as responsive to flagellation as a sexual deviant.
Also, if you have a highway commute, the Forester’s a little low-geared.
EDIT: MK’s suggestion might be a solution. However..
(drum roll)
Subaru Forester STI
coming sooon…..
This is a decent review but I take a little exception to the conclusion. Of course you can get a better choice for 7 thousand more but that is true for many cars. The question is for the money is it worth it compared to its similarly priced alternatives.
Sherman Lin:The question is for the money is it worth it compared to its similarly priced alternatives.
The answer to that is: Depends where you live. I live in Canada, where Nannook and I need to shelter from Polar Bears and flying hockey pucks by building an igloo (when it’s not raining). Thus, the Subaru is great.
If I lived in Arizona, I’d probably would go for the Mazda3.
It really depends what your personal feeling is on AWD: waste of gas / absolute essential.
Thanks Brendan, a very entertaining read.
At under 18k, this sounds like a helluva value, especially for a place like upstate NY with our snow and gas taxes.
It occurs to me I'm actually weirdly qualified for once to comment on one of these articles. I have to use two hands to count all the Imprezas and Legacies I've variously own(ed), driven extensively, or driven at length. My best friend has this exact car, a 2.5i wagon. I got a chance to give it a serious thrashing on the same roads I took my '00 2.5RS and now my '06 STI. Fortunately, he had the good sense to buy a manual. The autos in Subies, while faithful and virtually problem free, bring the conservative tendencies of (USDM, at least) Subaru products to the forefront. In a manual configuration, the inherent fun of the Impreza is quickly apparant.
The handling of the 2.5i is exactly as the reviewer describes: snappy and predictable. With proper rev management, quite a bit of power can be found in even the base 2.5 engine, which itself had a tuneup for the '06 model year. (In the heavier Legacy and heavier yet Outback, pass on the base engine. There's as much 'um' as 'go' in those base models.) Obviously, the styling of the Impreza is not as immediately accessible as the Madza 3. But FHI keeps trying. Evidently someone at Subaru knows what they are doing, because the latest Legacies are dead sexy for wangons. Perhaps, I dare say, the sexiest wagons on the road.
And the interior. Personally, I am a big fan of the simplicity of the various Impreza interior iterations. The plastic is soft where it needs to be and doesn't insult my intelligence by pretending to be metal or woods, which is a lot more than I can say about lots of other cars. It's durable and generally cleans up well. There are only the buttons I need. My only quibble is the parts around the center console seem to highlight scratches very easily. But despite my opinion, like exterior body styling, it's all in the eye of the beholder.
I own a 2006 Impreza, although its a 2.5i sedan, not the wagon.
I love the car. I don’t think I need to go into any of the reasons, as posters previous to myself have already covered every point I love about the car.
The base stereo is trash, however, I went into the car knowing that, and since it is a single din unit, it can be easily replaced with something better. The doors are also insanely easy to take apart for speaker replacement, and they are sturdy as all hell.
I must say, for those who think this car is cheap, it may be simple, but try taking things aparat and rebuilding, and the sturdyness of it all will impress.
Bottom line, I love my car, and I’ll probably trade it in for a Legacy GT in a few years when I need a bigger car. Subaru’s package is just better, as I don’t want to spend the extra money on a higher priced German car.
TreyV
Evidently someone at Subaru knows what they are doing, because the latest Legacies are dead sexy for wangons. Perhaps, I dare say, the sexiest wagons on the road.
You said wang.
I agree, the Legacy is gorgeous. The new WRX spy shots I’ve seen look pretty good too.
And for tha love of Pete, you try making that interior sound interesting. FWIW, it kind of felt like Subie put the dollars they pulled out of the dash into the drivetrain.
# UCBert:
January 31st, 2007 at 11:10 am
Steve_S:
Be careful with the S4. Current generation architecture has too much weight over the axle. Will be corrected by moving the engine southward in the next iteration.
Doesn’t the Torsen-based Quattro system require the engine to sit in front of the front axle? How are they going to move the engine, or are they re-working Quattro? A friend of mine has an S4 convertible, what a blast that car is.
I don’t want to start any trouble here, but the front of the Impreza wagon reminds me of the Subaru B9 Tribeca that TTAC reviewed.
WTF? It’s a 15-year old Corolla clone with AWD and thirsty engine. Even the Koreans can do better these days.
Steve_S:
The engine will be moved to a more traditional position between axle and driver (Corvette, Infiniti, etc).
I loved my A4, but the car cannot compete with BMW, etc., in handling because there’s too much weight up front, causing problems with steering. As the size/weight of the engine goes up (from four to eight cylinders), well you can do the math.
The fix is a new architecture. You can read the history of service reports on the current Audi 4 models.
Just a word on interior space.
In my WRX I once hauled five 15.5 gallon kegs of beer, a 10# CO2 tank, a jockey box (which is a 56-liter igloo cooler) and my friend’s wife.
These cars are plenty spacious.
rodster205
But then I live where we haven’t had any snow or ice in at least 5 YEARS
Careful what you say, if you commute early in the morning we may see some ice and slush on the roads tomorrow. Guess that’ll be it for 2007!
Regarding the S4
CV joints and control arms are relatively small, common inconveniences in the VAG world. $200 DIY for the former (rebuilt), $450 DIY for the latter. That 4.2 V8 is worlds better than the 2.7tt it replaces. Very nice car.
The rest of the 2.5i’s body is blissfully free from flared wheel-arches, rear spoilers and other vulgarities.
AFAIK, the rear “spoiler” on the WRX wagon is supposed to be a dust deflector, so not entirely useless. Does anyone know if that’s true?
JL
….and my friend’s wife.
These cars are plenty spacious.
Hope she doesn’t see that.
Steve_S:
1. Here’s quote on the new A5, which will be built on the new A4 chassis:
The key difference between the new A5 and the rest of Audi’s lineup is that the engine will now be placed behind the front axle. In today’s Audi’s the engine hangs in front of the front axle, and obviously bringing the engine back will help with mass centralization and front-rear weight balance. We can safely assume the new drivetrain will include Audi’s revised Quattro with more rear wheel bias, which will complement the new engine placement.
2. Ash 78 is right about cost; as far as inconvenience, new control arms and boots are not a small problem if you need replacements twice a year. After three years, visiting my Audi dealer got old. I was pleased to trade my A4.
UCBert
Dealership is the key word there: the DIY things I was mentioning use much better parts than OE. I’m not saying it’s acceptable for suspension parts to fail, but to adapt Einstein’s definition of insanity–going to a dealer for the same repair repeatedly and expecting different results ;)
BM
This particular wife is currently five months pregnant and was bragging last night about almost being up to 130 pounds.
She’s 5′10″
I’ll be fine.
Ash 78:
Unless you’ve got a warranty that rationalizes the insanity. It’s like xanax — it doesn’t cure the problem, but it takes the edge off.
My girlfriend has an ‘04 2.5 TS wagon. I never thought I’d be a Subaru guy. I was pushing her to get a Protege5, but the threat of Minneapolis winters while she finished school swayed her to the Impreza. We picked it up in Seattle and drove to Minneapolis in the summer. I became a believer in AWD somewhere along Going To The Sun Road in Glacier. The thing handles like nothing else I’ve ever driven in that segment. Her dirtly looks were all that was keeping me from tearing off into the tundra once we hit the eastern half of Montana.
I soon needed a replacement for my 200k Nissan and picked up an old warhorse ‘98 2.2 L wagon with low mileage but high wear from a family with two kids. Like everyone else says… the cheap interiors Subaru favors on the Imprezas aren’t much to look at, but they wear very well. And surprisingly, I have just as much fun throwing around my Subaru as I did my old SE-R.
I know Subarus have replaced Volvos for the crunchy hard-left bad driver sterotype car… but they also remind me of Volvo in that they give a general feeling of strength and solid construction (and weight) that no other Japanese car I’ve driven comes anywhere close to.
The tradeoff to that solid construction and drivetrain weight, of course, is lower gas mileage from a comparable car, and potentially higher regular maintenance charges… but the dry handling alone makes up for it, and if you live in a climate where rain and snow are guaranteed, its hard to justify not getting one.
Great review. Personally I’d rather cough up the extra few grand for the Legacy 2.5i wagon. Sticker to sticker the Legacy is $3,250 more, but adjusting for features (props to M. Karesh) brings the difference to $1,870.
The Legacy is a lot nicer on the inside than the Impreza. Even the base model feels a half-step above an Accord. It looks nicer on the outside, too.
jconli1:
My first WRX went 105,000 hard miles before being wrecked by a drunk, unisured teenager. However, in those 105,000 very hard miles I had to replace… the battery once and the tires twice.
New WRX just went over 20,000. Not a single problem. Again.
As a 9-2x Aero owner, I must say there is just something about the way Subaru does things that is attractive and fun. They spend their mony on engineering, throw in some cheap but durable plastic, and dammit if their cars aren’t intoxicating to drive. They sound cheap and tinny, but they feel like they are hewn from granite, they drive intuitively and securely, and they are eager for whatever abuse you might inflict.
And as someone who misses his grossly underpowered but thoroughly endearing and now-retired 1987 Saab 900 every day, to me the boxer thrum and transmission whine give Subarus character in an age when car manufacturers are standardizing and blandifying their cars.
I laughed. I cried. I about burst a spleen trying not to wake up my neighbors in the cube next door.
Thanks!
UCBert: It’s off topic, but I’ve got a thing about mis-information. Re: your upcoming A4/A5 engine placement info: NOT behind the front axle. Audi reworked the transmission/transaxle to put more of THAT unit behind the axle centerline, allowing them to slide the engine back a couple of inches. Doesn’t sound like much, but when it’s hanging out front, every little bit counts.
jl :
Good to hear. I was talking more about the routine maintenance costs being a little bit higher than the competition (diff service, timing belt vs. chain), but the only unscheduled maintenance I’ve had was an axle boot and a scored rotor courtesy the P.O.
Paul Niedermeyer:
Thanks; here’s add’l clarification. This is from eurocarblog:
The main novelty is the platform, based on a technology called “Modularer Längsbaukasten” (MLB, Modular-length components) which will be used also in future A6 and A8 models. The engine will be moved rearwards, while gearbox and differential will exchange positions, so that the new A4 will be less front-heavy than the current model.
With these changes the front overhang will be shortened quite a bit (about 15 cm), as you can see from the following picture, which show the front of the current A4 attuale over that of the Roadjet concept, which is an anticipation of these solutions. The changed position of the engine will result in more space between the front wheel and the cockpit (the wheelbase will need to be lenghtened to offer the same space to occupants of the car).
There’s an old Car & Driver article on a Subaru (GL-10?) that discusses the designers’ biases. The article says they are frustrated airplane people who put the money into the powerplant and structure, and then when that’s done they think of stuff like interiors and styling. It is probably true. If you look at my ‘93 Legacy wagon you can see the lines where Exterior Committee A and Exterior Committee B disagreed and just left an awkward line – not that either committee actually knew much about styling in the first place. You’ll also notice squeaks and rattles when the car’s under way, but things don’t fall off or break.
There is nothing sexy about a Subaru, unless conditions degrade. There -is- something sexy about the only machine capable of moving when it’s ugly outside and you’re passing 4×4s that have sidestepped into ditches.