#02#We drove the 2006MY Impreza in the middle of last winter. That car introduced us to the latest face to be grafted onto what is essentially the Mk2 Impreza; a change that we thought was a huge improvement. The STi version we tested also introduced us to a raft of other changes including a new 2.5-litre engine with 276bhp and a new adjustable centre differential to improve the drive characteristics. We liked it, a lot. In fact it was the first Impreza that led to genuinely lengthy debates in the office when it came to the Evo vs. STi argument, and for the first time it was winning out in some of them.

The car you see here differs from that one in several ways. Obviously, as you can see, it wears a five-door body. The other key difference is that this is the WRX version, the entry-level sporting Impreza and traditionally the highest selling Impreza, in saloon form at least.

Personally, I prefer the looks of the hatch. It's a rarer sight than the saloon and is something of 'Q'-car; much more discreet even than the spec.D version of the four-door car. The added versatility offered by the hatch opening and large flat load area is a real boon as well and the difference in the driving experience is negligible.

The lower rated 2.5-litre four-cylinder now weighs in at 227bhp with a more significant 15lb.ft gain in torque, up to 235lb.ft some 400rpm lower down the rev range (at 3600rpm). As per the higher powered car these figures don't translate to an advantage in straight line pace on paper, but truly make themselves felt in-gear and in everyday driving.

This newer car feels much more sprightly than the older one and, although lacking in the outright thump of the STi Type-UK, offers enough performance for most tastes in most conditions. The revised torque management within the transmission (courtesy of viscous coupling in the centre differential) also makes a noticeable difference to the handling. #p##02# Nose-led understeer, so dominant in the previous car, is contained much more effectively. The weather during our week with the car was poor to say the least, but in the lower grip conditions the Impreza demonstrated a much more neutral attitude with four wheel drift being more prevalent than ploughing on in tighter corners. Of course, ultimately it is the nose that runs wide, but it's much later than it used to be and for the most part the car goes exactly where you point it.

In the real world, in everyday terms, this may be the best Subaru Impreza yet. The latest engine and chassis revisions take this lesser WRX model to new heights with a good ride and handling compromise combining with a fine dynamic package. The interior is still poor, but our recent encounter with the new Subaru Outback suggests that that will change in the very near future. It's worth noting that the five-door estate is significantly more practical than the four-door saloon without losing too much in terms of aesthetics.

It is ironic that whilst it is the Impreza long term rival from Mitsubishi that is called the Evolution, it is the Impreza that has perhaps been more effectively continuously developed and perhaps, crucially to the average buyer, manages to be the more complete offering. It's certainly easier to live with and is also available in a wider range of variants; the Evo isn't available in wagon form at all on our shores.

Other rivals for the Impreza are less specialised and are attacking from below, rather than above; namely the VW Golf GTi and Ford Focus ST. The Impreza currently enjoys the advantage of real value for money and benefits from the swell of cult followers it has built up over the years, but to continue to attract new buyers and fend off the ongoing assault the level of quality, design and materials in that interior has to be addressed. No doubt it will be in the next revision of the car, but it really can't come too soon. #p##04#

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2006 Subaru Impreza UK range overview

Four-door saloon:
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport: £16,225
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport Automatic: £17,275
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX: £20,945
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX Type UK: £21,845
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL: £22,445
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL Type UK: £24,345
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX-STi Type UK: £27,040
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec.D: £28,540

Five-door wagon:
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R: £16,225
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport: £16,725
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport Automatic: £17,775
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX: £21,445
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL: £22,945