Towards the tail end of the nineties and through the early 2000s, the Subaru Impreza Turbo was the go-to car for getting blistering performance at a rock bottom price. Capable of taking on the best offerings from Germany, at the time, the Impreza Turbo would not only hold its own in the dry, but destroy all-comers in the wet.

Like most car models, the Impreza went through a wide range of redesigns with some of the sedan cars being better received than others before, finally, Subaru made the bold decision to completely redefine what the public recognized as the Impreza by turning it into a dedicated hatchback model. Now a direct rival to the mighty Volkswagen Golf GTI, the popular BMW 130, and Honda Civic Type R, the Impreza Hatchback offered all-wheel-drive thrills in a compact package.

Despite being having lost some of its out-and-out charm and ultimate road poise in its transformation, the revised JDM car remains a performance bargain.

10 A Version for All

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Available in a number of trim levels, the Impreza Hatchback could be purchased with a variety of lower powered, non-turbocharged engines, each offering a unique entry point for potential buyers who were seeking a reliable workhorse rather than a fiery fighter.

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Boasting a spacious 330 liters of luggage space, the Impreza Hatchback made an excellent family tool and, on some models, the addition of a low-ratio gearbox enabled superb off-road prowess when and if needed.

9 Rally Car DNA

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There was no doubt that when the high-powered Impreza hatchback versions hit the market, they would bring with them decades of motorsport learned knowledge and technology with which to set them apart from more sophisticated marketplace competitors.

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From the sodden muddy valleys of Wales to the dusty rock-strewn tracks of Cyprus, the Impreza conquered them all, whether it be snow and ice, sand, or soil the blown boxer engine and AWD system powered through.

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8 The Boxer Engine

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Recognized as a definite Subaru Impreza signature, fans were delighted when the well-regarded boxer engine was retained for this third-generation car, bringing with it a unique off-beat and aggressive soundtrack.

2017 Subaru Levorg 2.0 DIT Boxer Engine
Via: Bing

Taking the 2.5-liter unit from the previous generation, the Subaru engineers fitted the air-intake and manifold system from the Legacy GT to increase in-gear performance and engine response, allowing for quicker pick-up.

7 The WRX Version

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The 2.5-liter EJ255 unit fitted to the WRX Hatchback was good for 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, it proved to be a thirsty unit averaging 28 mpg, but could propel the car to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds before hitting a limited 155 mph.

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Not famed for offering classy cabins, the WRX interior was a major step forward when compared to previous models with softer touch plastics, higher quality materials and a more ergonomic approach being taking with the design.

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6 A Sporty Diesel Version

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For the first time in its history, the Impreza was fitted with a diesel engine, and true to Subaru form it too retained the much-loved Boxer layout. Designated as the EE20 the flat-four unit was available from 2009.

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Producing 150 hp and a WRX beating 258 lb-ft of torque, the diesel unit was able to pull the car to 60 mph in a respectable 9.0 seconds, top out at 130 mph and return a rather wallet-friendly 49 mpg on a run.

5 The STi Version

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Via Subaru

Always known as the performance leader within its range, the STI returned with 296 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, all that power made for a swift 5.2 seconds 0-60 mph time, making it one of the fastest hatchbacks available at the time.

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Outfitted with the new SI-Drive system the driver could tweak the throttle response depending on their needs, most drivers will simply set it to Super-Sharp and revel in the enormous amount of shove on offer when the accelerator is pressed.

4 The Cosworth One

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What more could any fan of the Subaru Impreza ask for than a specially tuned, limited-edition Cosworth edition. Having poured their mechanical magic onto the STI, the CS400 delivered 395 hp and a whopping 400 lb-ft of torque.

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Rocketing to 60 mph in a supercar-embarrassing 3.7 seconds, the CS400 was blessed with new pistons, conrods, bearings, head gasket, and turbocharger. With only 75 cars ever made, the CS400 is a collector's dream piece.

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3 Awesome Base Platform

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Highly capable and dependable in all weathers, the Impreza Hatchback is an excellent option for those looking to create an excellent track star, formidable rally weapon, or unique and reliable powerful daily driver.

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This point has been proven by legendary tire destroyer Ken Block, whose own 2008 Impreza STI Hatchback received a power hike to a monstrous 565 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 0-60 mph time of just 3.0 seconds.

2 The WRX-S & 330S

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As a reply to the negative feedback that the base WRX had an overly soft suspension setup and lacked power, Subaru beefed up the springs, struts, and sway bars whilst boosting power to a healthier 265 hp, dropping the 0-60 mph time to 4.7 seconds.

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Now needing to compete with its own, lesser sibling, the limited edition UK-only Prodrive 330S STI model was introduced and featured 325hp, 347 lb-ft of torque, and would hit 60 mph in a very credible 4.5 seconds.

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1 Hugely Reliable

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With a well-proven history of producing almost bomb-proof mechanicals in all of their cars, the Impreza Hatchback remains a reliable and trustworthy companion without any major issues reported by the majority of owners.

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Able to rack up monster mileage without issue and with only general maintenance requirements the Subaru internals have lived up to their sturdy reputations, this too includes interior trim with its basic application proving to withstand punishment.