1999 Subaru Impreza Review
1999 Subaru Impreza Review

Used Impreza for sale
Appraise This CarSubaru Impreza model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- All-wheel drive. Scrappy personality. Bulletproof reliability record. Fun to drive.
Cons
- Tight rear seat. Limited cargo space in wagon with back seat raised. No ABS option for L models.
What’s new
More horsepower, more torque and a more efficient automatic transmission are the big news this year. Multireflector halogen headlights are new and Outback Sport gets a revised grille. The 2.5 RS gets silver alloy wheels, a new front bumper, white gauge faces and more torque, as well as an upgraded leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Two new colors are available for 1999.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Subaru Impreza RS 2dr Coupe AWD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$176/mo for Impreza RS
Impreza RS
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Subaru built a solid reputation for itself in the 1970s, building inexpensive (and built to stay that way), four-wheel drive passenger cars. The company enjoyed success in the Northeast, Rocky Mountains and Northwest, providing people with reliable transportation that could thwart most attempts by Mother Nature to keep them from arriving at their destinations. Aside from a major rusting habit and offbeat styling, Subarus kept loyal owners happy.
Then Subaru decided it wanted a bigger piece of the auto market pie. The Impreza was originally conceived to battle the Ford Escorts, Toyota Corollas and Chevy Cavaliers that sold so well to young adults. A zippy ad campaign touting the underpowered Impreza as What to Drive alienated traditional Sube buyers and turned off the young adults it was supposed to attract. Sales of the Impreza were less than successful, and Subaru scrambled to find a solution.
Wonder of wonders, the company decided to reacquaint itself with its legendary all-wheel drive system. Subaru is emphasizing AWD in every ad, article and brochure you can lay your hands on. Ah yes, the Beauty Of All-Wheel Drive. The Impreza is available in coupe, sedan and wagon format. Traditional front-wheel drive editions have been banished from the roster.
For 1999, Subaru boosts power and torque in L and Outback Sport models. The automatic transmission has been revised to operate more efficiently as well. All Imprezas get multi-reflector halogen headlights this year and two new colors are available. The Outback Sport has a revised grille.
The racy rally-inspired 2.5 RS dumps its gold alloys for more conventional silver wheels and gets a revised front bumper. Torque from the 2.5's 2.5-liter flat four is up for 1999, and white-faced gauges lend a sportier appearance to the interior. New fabric and upgraded leather on the steering wheel and gearshift knob round out the 1999 2.5 RS, a fun car to drive in any type of weather.
Lesser Imprezas are a good time, too. All Imprezas behave like street-legal rally cars, and they're a hoot to toss around. Fling one into a corner, and it clings to the pavement. The Impreza is comfortable, though the side glass feels a bit too close. Steering and braking is communicative. There is one thing that bothers us about the Impreza lineup, and that's the lack of an antilock brake option on the L model. To get ABS, you must order the Outback Sport or 2.5 RS. This doesn't make much sense from a company touting safety in its advertising.
Overall, we find much to like about the Impreza. We've driven Outback Sport, 2.5 RS, and L Coupe models, and thoroughly enjoyed them. The wagon has a small cargo area when the rear seat is raised, partially due to the steeply raked rear window. Drop the seat, though, and you've got 62 cubic feet to mess around with. Other quibbles include a cramped rear seat and ugly, K-Mart issue plastic wheelcovers on the Outback Sport.
Subaru is aiming the Outback Sport at consumers who would otherwise be considering a Toyota RAV4, Geo Tracker or Kia Sportage. Unfortunately, it has trouble delivering what most folks want in a sport utility. It's not capable of serious off-road adventure, and it doesn't provide a commanding view of traffic. Cargo volume with the rear seat up can't match the Kia or the Toyota for usability. However, Imprezas are a blast to drive hard and fast, and the all-wheel drive system performs brilliantly on a variety of road surfaces.
What's it cost for a fun car with all-wheel drive peace of mind? The L coupe starts at $16,400 including destination charges. Better accommodations will run you as much as $17,600 for an L Wagon with an automatic transmission. Want ABS? Plan to spend another grand on the Outback Sport. Despite the benefits of all-wheel drive, the budget-minded compact shopper must ask whether the price commanded by the Subaru is worth it. As much as we like the Impreza, we're skeptical.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Subaru Impreza.
5 star(55%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
45 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
'99 Outback Sport
erod45, 09/11/2005
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
I have had this car since it was brand new and I must say that it was a no- nonsense vehicle. There were some quibbles about the wheel bearings giving out quickly, but there is a TSB for fixing it, which to this day after 37,000 miles haven't needed to be replaced again. The clutch is a weak link in the drivetrain, so when it goes out, I HIGHLY suggest getting an aftermarket one. … Other than that, the engine itself has been a jewel with only simple maintenance needed (i.e., oil change, coolant change, etc.) The car is a blast to drive, especially in the rain. Overall, a very good car with above average reliability that'll get you to where you want to go and have fun while driving it.
4 out of 5 stars
Loud Ride!
1TheMacs, 02/21/2004
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
Overall good car. A very loud ride on
rough or wet road. Struts make a
hallow rattle but do not need to be
replaced.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great car for the price
firstshadow, 06/16/2008
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
I picked mine up used with 60k miles on the clock, haven't had any problems with it. It's been so much fun to drive, especially on road trips. Twisties are always fun to go through on highways in the rain, passing everyone left and right with the AWD.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Reliability is the key
Pinkus, 04/17/2005
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
I bought my Outback Sport with 70k miles. I'm at about 125k now, and besides routine maintenance, the car has not cost me anything. This is exactly why I bought the car. I know that Subaru has addressed in the new OS/WRX all of the issues I had with this one (hp, wheels, etc.). That being said, I realize this car is a '99, and for what it is, I'm totally satisfied. If you don't … abuse the car, you won't have any problems. Mileage is decent (mid- 20s). Interior room? I'm a drummer, and I fit my entire kit, plus a passenger! AWD? Put a set of snow tires on in the winter, and the car is unstoppable! Finally, get a set of WRX style wheels for the car, and improve the looks 100%.
1999 Impreza Highlights
Sedan
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $168/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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