more about this model
Pros Thrilling acceleration, comfortable ride, roomy cabin.
Cons Chassis deserves even stickier tires, sport seats too wide for some, controversial styling, subpar audio system.
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI has a strong — one might say rather rabid — following. On the order of Celtics and Lakers fans. We have a colleague here who regularly flies the Subaru flag via his WRX T-shirts and baseball caps. And why not? The Subie is a hoot to drive, with plenty of speed and attitude to go 'round.
Still, we've had a long-standing gripe with the STI: When driven hard, it feels rather soft in terms of steering response and body control compared to its archrival, the razor-sharp Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The upside is that the STI is a better daily driver due to its more compliant ride. That's a considerable advantage for those who live in neighborhoods where road maintenance is about as common as Ron Artest making both free throws.
With the 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition, the company attempts to appease us (OK, not just us) with a unique STI that sports the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) "Spec C" suspension calibrations and wheel fitments. That translates into crisper response and handling as the SE responds with more immediacy and less body roll when you're slicing up a curvy road. So now the STI handles like it should, right?
Well...almost. Whereas before, the STI ran out of suspension before it ran out of tire grip, now with the Special Edition it's the other way around. But that's nothing that replacing the tires (after you've suitably worn them out) can't fix. Overall, it's an agreeable setup and we'd like to see Subaru put this suspension on the standard STI, and put the standard STI's suspension on the standard WRX.
Another bonus is that this slightly beefed-up but also slightly decontented STI (halogen headlights versus HIDs, a four-speaker/single-CD player versus 10-speaker/CD changer audio system and manual versus automatic climate control) stickers for $2 grand less than the standard STI. That said, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR still has the edge in terms of sharpness and communication, though its ride is notably stiffer. And if blistering acceleration and all-wheel drive are not mandatory, you could save big money by considering the feisty Mazdaspeed 3.
Performance Under the STI SE's scooped hood lies the STI's familiar 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that cranks out 305 horsepower. Though it makes decent power down low, it doesn't hit its stride until about 3,500 rpm, when the turbo really kicks in. The thrust is accompanied by the meaty, somewhat gruff sound of the Subaru's boxer (horizontally opposed piston layout) engine, which brings some welcome character in a world of buzzy inline-4s.
During instrumented testing, this Subie sprinted to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and ran down the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds. Respectable times, to be sure, but we've gotten sub-5s out of previously tested STIs. We're guessing the culprit was a stickier track surface this time around that didn't allow any wheelspin off the line (which allows the engine to get up into its power band quicker). The quickness will cost you, as the EPA ratings for this hot rod stand at 17 city/23 highway mpg and 19 mpg combined. We averaged 17.7 mpg in mixed driving.
We found that the six-speed's shifter made it easy to grab gears despite a somewhat notchy feel, and the clutch was a little on the heavy side for a few staffers. But braking was hard to fault, with a firm, progressive pedal and an impressive 106-foot stopping distance from 60 mph.
Taking on a curving canyon road brings out what's most special about the Special Edition. Though a few of us felt that the steering was too light, the rack was precise and its response noticeably crisper compared to a standard STI. Reduced body roll also contributes to the SE's eager feel in the turns. As you'd expect, the ride is firmer, though not uncomfortably so (it's still smoother than an Evo's).
At the track, the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI whipped through the slalom at nearly 70 mph (68.8 to be exact) and pulled 0.93g running 'round the skid pad — both respectable performances. Pushed very hard, the tires will slide, albeit in a linear, controlled fashion that's easy to rein in. Though those Dunlop SP Sport 600 high-performance summer tires should be enough for most folks, hard-core enthusiasts may want to consider switching to stickier performance rubber after they wear out the Sport 600s.
Comfort With its efficient three-spoke layout, thick rim and well-placed thumb detents, the steering wheel feels great and its tilt-and-telescoping feature allows drivers of all sizes to find an ideal position at the helm. But despite the front seats' aggressive bolsters, most folks will find that they're too wide to provide that reassuringly snug fit when powering through the turns. The seats are generally comfortable on long cruises, as they provide firm back support; still, a few of us felt that under-thigh support could be beefed up a bit.
In back, ample room and support are provided for two passengers; even 6-footers are comfortably accommodated, thanks to the high roof line. As expected, squeezing in a third could cause grumbling on anything other than a very short trip.
As stated before, the Special Edition's firmer suspension calibrations don't exact much in the way of a ride penalty; the suspension remains supple enough to take the bumps and ruts of pockmarked streets in stride.
Function The SE's instruments are large and clear, and the primary controls are where you'd expect and intuitive to use. There's the familiar and proven three-knob setup for the climate control, and once you've memorized their locations, the steering-wheel-mounted audio controls allow "no-look" operation of your tunes. There is no dedicated iPod input/interface; however, you can play one through the standard auxiliary jack. Sound quality was so-so at best. When cranked up, it lacked the clarity and punch that we'd expect in a $30,000 car.
There's no denying the versatility of this little hatchback. With the split rear seatbacks up, there's 19 cubic feet available for your stuff — that's nearly as much capacity as a Lincoln Town Car's trunk. If you need more, flipping those seatbacks down opens up 44.4 cubic feet. Stowing a couple of golf bags or a large suitcase back there is a breeze. And thanks to the roomy cabin and tall greenhouse, putting Junior's rear-facing child seat in the backseat won't test your flexibility or your back muscles.
Design/Fit and Finish Now entering its third year, this generation of the WRX STI has drawn some barbs for its styling. But it's a Subaru, and it's supposed to be quirky, right? The Special Edition has a few features that differentiate it from the standard STI, including a cleaner front fascia (no foglights) and multispoke alloy wheels (borrowed from the "Spec C" variant sold in the homeland).
Inside, it's standard STI fare, with the exception of a few controls (manual climate control instead of automatic). Unfortunately, that also means a few substandard materials, such as the fuzzy headliner. Overall build quality on our test car was very good, with tight panel gaps and no squeaks or rattles noted.
Who should consider this vehicle The 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition is ideal for serious driving enthusiasts who are disappointed by the somewhat soft nature of the standard STI but put off by the unyielding underpinnings of the Lancer Evo. By neatly splitting the difference between these two, the SE offers an agreeable compromise between track-tuned performance and daily-driver livability.
Others To Consider
Mazdaspeed 3, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Used 2010 Subaru Impreza listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2010 Subaru Imprezas for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 425 used and CPO 2010 Imprezas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 5,995 and mileage as low as 24,819. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2010 Subaru Impreza. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 220 on a used or CPO 2010 Impreza available from one of 2,633 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2010 Subaru Impreza ?
Save up to $219.9 on one of 21 used 2010 Subaru Imprezas for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $5995 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 32 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2010 Subaru Impreza trim styles:
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium is priced around $8261 with average odometer reading of 100402 miles.
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited is priced around $14411 with average odometer reading of 115851 miles.
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX is priced around $16849 with average odometer reading of 79076 miles.
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i is priced around $14998 with average odometer reading of 79611 miles.
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Premium is priced around $12999 with average odometer reading of 90187 miles.
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport is priced around $8989 with average odometer reading of 86662 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
Available Subaru Impreza 2010 Submodel Types: Wagon, Hatchback, Sedan, WRX STI Limited, Coupe, WRX STI, WRX STi
Available Subaru Impreza 2010 Trims: 2.0i Premium, 2.0i Sport, 2.0i Limited, 2.0i, 2.0i Premium PZEV, 2.0i PZEV, 2.0i Sport Premium PZEV, 2.0i Limited PZEV, 2.0i Sport Limited PZEV, 2.5 i, 2.5 RS, Outback Sport, 2.5, 2.5i Premium, WRX STI Limited, 2.0i Sport Limited, 2.5 i Special Edition, 2.5i, L, WRX, WRX Limited, 2.5GT, Outback, WRX Premium, WRX STI, WRX STi, WRX TR
Exterior Colors: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Island Blue Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, Lapis Blue Pearl, Lithium Red Pearl, Quartz Blue Pearl, Venetian Red Pearl, Carbide Gray Metallic, Platinum Silver Metallic, Newport Blue Pearl, Marine Blue Pearl, Obsidian Black Pearl/Dark Gray Metallic, WR Blue Pearl, Jasmine Green Metallic, Lightning Red, Dark Gray Metallic, Sky Blue Metallic, Obsidian Black Pearl, Regal Blue Pearl, San Remo Red, Spark Silver Metallic, Camellia Red Pearl, Crystal Gray Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Deep Cherry Pearl, Java Black Pearl, Pacifica Blue Pearl, Plasma Blue Pearl, Steel Silver Metallic/Spark Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Metallic, Blue Ridge Pearl, Caribbean Green Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Pearl, Evergreen Metallic/Steel Gray Metallic, Glacier White, Marine Blue Pearl/Steel Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Pearl, Newport Blue Pearl/Steel Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black Pearl/Urban Gray Metallic, Paprika Red Pearl, Paprika Red Pearl/Steel Silver Metallic, Sage Green Metallic/Steel Silver Metallic, Satin White Pearl, Savanna Green, Steel Gray Metallic, Sunlight Gold Opal, WR Blue Mica, Woodland Green Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Black leather, Ivory leather, Off Black cloth, Off Black, Black, Carbon Black cloth, Graphite Gray/Carbon Black leather/sueded microfiber, Blue Ecsaine/Black, Carbon Black leather, Gray, Gray Knit, Ivory, Anthracite Black cloth, Black Alcantara/Carbon Black leather/sueded microfiber, Black leather/sueded microfiber, Carbon Black premium cloth, Dark Gray Knit, Desert Beige cloth, Ivory cloth, Medium Gray Flat Woven, Off Black/Blue Ecsaine
Popular Features: USB Inputs, Bluetooth, Back-up camera, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Post-collision safety system, Keyless Entry/Start, Power Driver Seat, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Upgraded Stereo, AWD/4WD, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Pre-collision safety system, Navigation, Aux Audio Inputs, Heated seats, Auto Climate Control, Sunroof/Moonroof, Remote Start, Leather Seats, Upgraded Headlights
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive
Used 2010 Subaru Impreza Overview
The used 2010 Subaru Impreza is offered in the following submodels: WRX STI Special Edition, Hatchback, WRX STI, Sedan. Available styles include Outback Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A), 2.5i Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A), and 2.5i Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Impreza models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2010 Impreza comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed shiftable automatic.
