Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

The Subaru Impreza models are good fun to drive and quite practical, with decent room in the back seat and good gas mileage. The standard fulltime all-wheel-drive system is legitimately a safety, performance and foul-weather advantage.

The Outback Sport wagon is designed for rugged conditions. The Outback's suspension is raised and tuned for more wheel travel (or off-road capability). It adds a chrome grille and gray-metallic lower body cladding, roof-rail crossbars, and projector-beam foglights. The Outback Sport Special Edition wagon comes with a 240-watt stereo with six CD changer and auto-dim rearview mirror. Safety features include dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters for the front seats. ABS comes standard and features four sensors and four channels. Electronic brake-force distribution also allows for better emergency braking.

For 2006, the Subaru Impreza models have been restyled front and rear. Power has increased at least slightly across the board. The body structure has been improved and the suspension refined. There's more standard equipment, more safety equipment, and more new technology.