The 2009 Subaru Impreza might need a few more inches of ground clearance before you go mudding in it, but the all wheel drive powertrain sets it apart on the crowded compact car market. The car can stomp through mud and snow and is well worth the typical listing price of around $6,000, though the $10,000 WRX model may be a bit pricey for a 15+ year old car.
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – The Impreza gets an extra point for carving out its own niche as a compact that handles rough conditions as well as a small truck.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Comfortable and spacious for a compact, and the wagon model packs plenty of extra cargo.
- Reliability 8/10 – Annual maintenance is a bit pricey for a compact, but the car is built to last.
- Safety 8/10 – Safety features are good and crash test ratings are even better.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – You could do a lot worse than 19/24 in an all wheel drive car.
- Value 8/10 – If you live somewhere rural but would rather not drive a gas-hogging pickup as your daily, the Impreza is an excellent choice and priced fairly.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
Consumer Reports found the 2009 Impreza to be a “pleasant and practical car” with the smoothest ride of any small car they’d tested at that point. They liked the newly revamped version with its bigger, quiete cabin. They note that previous models were sportier, but this one is still fairly agile.
Kelley Blue Book liked the all wheel drivetrain, they liked the turbocharged engine in the 2.5GT model, and they liked the fun driving feel of the 2009 Impreza. They note that fuel economy could be better, and the Civic, Mazda3 or VW Rabbit might be preferable if you’re looking for cost-effective compact.
Edmunds were impressed with the Impreza’s all wheel performance, roomy seating, turbocharged engine, and capable trims. They note that the standard feature list feels a bit behind the times for 2009, and the 4-speed automatic transmission feels antiquated, too.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza Have?
The 2009 Subaru Impreza has generated 110 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 13 airbag complaints point to issues getting cars repaired after 9 airbag recalls were issued between 2016 and 2020.
29 powertrain complaints point to creaking noises when depressing the clutch in some models. The issue has to do with a wobbly firewall, with drivers reporting the case bearings being worn out. There have been no recalls for this issue.
A handful of structure complaints see issues with the rear doors getting stuck shut as a result of malfunctioning child locks.
The 2009 Subaru Impreza has been recalled 15 times in total, which is about three times the average for a 2009 compact. Most of these are for recurring airbag problems.
How Long Will the 2009 Subaru Impreza Last?
A Subaru Impreza could last around 250,000 miles before the more expensive repairs start to pile up. This depends on your maintenance habits, of course. With lax maintenance you might be lucky to pass 200,000 miles before your first breakdown.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $768, which is a bit high for a 2009 compact, but typical for a luxury car. Engine compression tests are usually the most expensive common fix, starting at around $143.
It runs great. The other day it was 8 below zero and had to have the neighbor jump start it. We are looking at buying a new battery for the Subaru.
Very reliable. It gets good gas mileage and I have not had any mechanical issues with the vehicle to date. I would encourage anyone who asked me to purchase one as well.
Yes, it's very reliable. I take good care of it so I haven't had any problems yet. Hopefully there aren't any
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment features for the 2009 Subaru Impreza are about what you expect for this model year. CD/MP3 players come standard, and you’ve got a 6-disc CD changer.
Safety features are up to par for 2009. Anti-lock brakes come standard, and you get electronic brake force distribution.
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza a Good Value?
The 2009 Subaru Impreza is a fair value at the lower end. A 2.5GT Sedan typically lists for around $6,043, while a high-end WRX Sedan will go for around $10,835. So, at the entry level, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck, but at the higher end you’d probably be happier looking into a dedicated sports car.
Cost of ownership is moderate. Typical repair costs are a bit higher than average, but the car will last a long time if you take care of it, and fuel economy is fair, so it more or less evens out.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
The 2009 Impreza is offered in two body styles, sedan or wagon, and three trim levels, from the entry-level 2.5i to the high-end 2.5GT.
The base 2.5i features:
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- CD/MP3 player Cloth seating
With a mid-range WRX you’re adding:
- Automatic air conditioning
- 10 speakers
The sport-tuned 2.5GT adds:
- Tilting/sliding sunroof
- Heated front seats
- Heated mirrors
What Engines Come In the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
- The standard engine in the 2009 Impreza is a 2.5L flat-four delivering 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in all wheel drive, and it averages 20/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- In the higher-end models you’re getting a turbocharged version of the flat-four, delivering 224 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque at 19/24 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in all wheel drive. The WRX model cranks the power up to 265 horses and 244 lb.-ft. of torque, and it can hit zero to sixty in 5.7 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
The 2009 Impreza is comfortable enough that you might forget you’re sitting in a compact. The suspension rides nice and smooth, the interior trim quality is decent, and the seats stretch a decent 54 inches across at the hip.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza Have?
The sedan packs 11 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, while the wagon packs up to 44 cubic feet. In neither case is this “class-leading,” but it’s adequate. The sedan will store four medium suitcases, and the wagon can be of some help when making small furniture deliveries.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the third model year in the Impreza’s 3rd Generation, which ran from 2007 to 2011, for the sedan, and up until 2014 for the wagon.
2007: Subaru launched the 3rd Gen Impreza with a new sunroof and a higher-quality audio system.
2008: No big changes for 2008.
2009: Lip spoilers and power mirrors were added for 2009.
2010: 2010 saw the grille being redesigned and the WRX being rebranded the Limited.
2011: The 2.5GT was dropped in 2011.
How Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza Compare to the Competition?
The Subaru Impreza has carved out its own niche as an all wheel drive compact that’s reliable, comfortable, and sporty. The Cadillac CTS is another all wheel sedan, but it’s not nearly as reliable as the Impreza, nor is it as fuel efficient.
If you’re considering a Honda Civic as an alternative, nine years out of ten that would be the wise choice, but the automaker was having a rough go of it in the late 00s, with cracked engine blocks and short lfiespans being reported for the 2009 edition.
The 2009 Impreza is really in a category of its own, being a sporty compact that handles rough roads and bad weather better than some pickups. At $6,000, it’s priced fairly, and worth a test drive.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
Yes it is. Great gas mileage and 4 wheel drive. It has a great stereo and CD player. The color is silver. It has 4 doors and a roomy trunk.
Yes it has been inexpensive and easy to maintain. I bought it second hand with low miles and subsequently crashed into a ditch. The Subaru had very little damage and withstood the crash like you would expect a much more expensive vehicle to do.
Yes, I love it it's one of the best cars I've ever driven, and the best car I've ever had, I haven't had any problems so far
