2004 Subaru Impreza

The smallest Subarus enter 2004 with a fresh face and a new high-power sedan. Every Impreza has all-wheel drive, ABS, and a horizontally opposed 4-cyl engine. Larger headlamps in a reshaped nose mark the 04s. The 2.5 RS sedan, 2.5 TS wagon, and SUV-flavored Outback Sport wagon use a 165-hp 2.5-liter engine. The WRX sedan and wagon have a 227-hp turbocharged 2.0, sport suspension, aluminum hood with functional scoop, and special seats and trim. New is the WRX STi sedan with a 300-hp turbo 2.5 and upgrades to suspension, brakes, and steering over regular WRXs. Console switches allow altering STis front/rear power split and thus cornering behavior. STi comes only with 6-speed manual transmission; others offer 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Front head/torso side airbags are standard for WRX and STi, unavailable otherwise. WRXs, which account for over 60 percent of Impreza sales, get revised front seats and gauge cluster, plus sunroof and heated front seats as exclusive new options. The STi comes on