Filed under: Safety, Hatchbacks, Subaru
IIHS rates the 2008 Subaru Impreza
Well, it seems the folks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety like the look of the new Subaru Impreza. Granted, a wrecked version of the car is what's got them going, but that's good for the rest of us. Why? Because the offset frontal crash test performed by Subaru shows that the Impreza passed with flying colors. After the IIHS received and analyzed data from the crash performed by the automaker, it rated the 2008 Impreza 2.5i 5-door as "Good" (the highest rating) in each of the individual injury measurement categories. Naturally, it also scored an overall rating of "Good." We're sure that IIHS will take it upon itself to smash up a few Imprezas in its independent testing regimen in due time, as well. Until then, click the read link to see the full breakdown from IIHS based on the manufacturer's test.
Thanks for the tip, Michael!
[Source: IIHS]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cheezedog 9:53AM (9/02/2007)
anyone not see that one comming?
Reply
Stoneman 10:25AM (9/02/2007)
Maybe the test will improve the front end looks of the sedan & rear of the hatch?
I always wondered why they didn't do rear-end crash testing.
Reply
Don 3:28PM (9/03/2007)
I'd rather just ignore the looks and enjoy the drive.
Avinash machado 10:45AM (9/02/2007)
Well I guess those who value safety and performance over looks will like it. I hope Subaru hires a good designer for the next generation Impreza. Perhaps they could outsource the design to one of those Italian designers or design houses.
Reply
Dan 11:13AM (9/02/2007)
Nothing about side and reasr-end crash tests? What do they expect by this "crash test"? To beat Mazda 3?? I don't want to buy this ugly Impreza even if it scored 6 out of 5 in crash tests. 2008 Impreza is an "improved" version of Corolla (it isn't a rally car anymore).
Reply
Guenther 5:12PM (9/02/2007)
Neat trick turning a transverse FWD car into a longitudinal AWD arrangement.
Biscuit 11:13AM (9/02/2007)
You have to hand it to Subaru for being able to design and build one very nice looking Mazda. Good job guys!
Reply
Hernan 11:52AM (9/02/2007)
What about the safety of people who have to look at this abomination?
Reply
AlexP 12:08PM (9/02/2007)
Abomination? C'mon, stop pushing it, this can't possibly be the Aztek. Granted, it's not the most beautiful car you can get, but
it's not Aztek-ugly.
Reply
MKIV 12:29PM (9/02/2007)
I think they went too far in the wrong direction. Current WRX looks good and it slowly evolved into what it is now. The design of this car don't have much in common with its predecessors. I think it's a mistake.
I like the front end but the back is another story. Every time this car come up in a conversation with my friends, they all agree that the car is a complete miss in the styling.
whofan 5:45PM (9/02/2007)
People fault Subaru`s styling yet the Camry is the most popular car in the country? Go figure!
Reply
Torqued 6:06PM (9/02/2007)
Subaru continues it's tradition of great crash safety. Its an excellent handling car, so it should be able to avoid some accidents as well. It's also lighter and less expensive than the previous version, despite improving the suspension with a double wishbone on the rear. Oh, and btw it IS still a rally car.
And still all people can say is "It sucks because it's ugly". Where are the auto enthusiasts on this site? How is the car's looks the ONLY important factor to you people?
Reply
sw 11:19PM (9/02/2007)
I have to agree with you there. For the price it is an amazing car. I got to take the 2.5 for a test drive and it felt and drove like a well built car. With the crash test ratings I want to get it all the more once my lease is up.
SPG 7:12PM (9/02/2007)
I'm glad to see a Kia has such a good safety rating. Although their new logo looks somewhat Subaruish.
Ok, that was not in good taste. And I actually would take this car as a daily driver. We get some pretty severe winters where I live.
Reply
paul34 12:42AM (9/03/2007)
Hey IIHS, instead of crashing these, just give them to me! I'll graciously accept the risk of driving a car you haven't rated yet. Yup, its a big personal sacrifice.
Reply
wally 1:31PM (9/03/2007)
There is nothing wrong with how this car looks.
Also, I can tell the difference between this and the Mazda.
Both are nice and are just as good, but Subaru builds better motors.
Reply
Woodrow 8:50AM (9/04/2007)
We will never really know how safe this Suburu really is. This is because most Japanese car makers build their products to just meet the Federal crash specs-for the specific impact speed, angle,etc. Quite often, when actual accident death and injury figures become available, they show that Japanese cars do not fare as well as their Big 3 competition.
Compared to their Big 3 competitors, Subura will not sell enough of these cars in America to have a statistically valid sample.
Reply
Torqued 1:14PM (9/04/2007)
While I'm sure the japanese brands do build to meet federal regulations, rest assured that American brands do exactly the same. The crash test regulations aren't a perfect reflection of the real world, but they're not bad.
As to not selling enough to have a statistically valid sample? The impreza sells pretty well every year. I'm willing to bet there were more imprezas sold lst year than cobalts...