Subaru Impreza WRX/STi

Name: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX/STi
Brand: Subaru

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Road Test

The WRX is a small and competent all-wheel-drive sedan endowed with the handling and engine performance of a good sports car. It provides a reasonably comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, with well-suppressed exterior noise. A moderate thirst for premium fuel is its most serious drawback.

2002 Sports cars & Convertibles Reliability

No Data Available

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

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2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

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Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2002 Sports cars 4/5-seat Ratings

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX/STi

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Audi TT

$4,325 - $6,500

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 BMW 3 Series

$3,475 - $4,650

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Chevrolet Camaro

$3,625 - $8,050

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Ford Mustang

$3,475 - $5,225

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Hyundai Tiburon

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Jaguar XK

$4,250 - $6,550

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mercedes-Benz CL

$4,625 - $5,750

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK

$4,175 - $6,975

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mercury Cougar

$3,300 - $3,525

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse

$3,050

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Volkswagen GTI

$3,575 - $4,350

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Sports cars 4/5-seat Ratings

Seating

2 front, 3 rear

Drive Wheels

AWD

Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

wagon

sedan

5-speed Manual

2-liter 4 turbo (227 hp)

Model History

2002-2008

2002 Redesign Year

One of the better small cars, the Impreza serves up a supple ride and enjoyable handling. Paired with a well-tuned suspension, sharp steering makes the car feels agile and fun to drive. Standard anti-lock brakes and all-wheel-drive provide confidence in slippery conditions. Road noise can grow wearisome on longer trips. Sedans lack a folding seatback, which is a common feature in this class. The rally-racing inspired WRX, with its 227-hp turbocharged engine, and the even more potent 300-hp WRX STi version are a blast to drive. Suspension revisions in 2006 and newer WRXs made handling at the limit trickier; no stability control was available.

2009-

Current Generation

A sporty version of the Impreza, the WRX's turbocharged engine provides quick and effortless acceleration, and the well-tuned suspension delivers a supple ride with agility. Its steering is sharp, but more demanding cornering elicits a bit too much body lean for a sports sedan. The STi is more powerful and much harder riding. It is a fierce performer, although not as agile as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. In later years, the base WRX has STi-like styling and some of the STi's suspension updates.