Of course, Subaru hasn't won the loyalty of its customers because of styling, but rather has gained an enviable retention rating due to its lineup of symmetrical all-wheel drive performance-oriented models, plus significant effort spent on safety and durability.

The smart airbag designation means that sensors detect the position of the front passenger in order to mete out deployment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Out on the road, my first impression is of solidity. The little Impreza feels well built, as if it could withstand frontal or side impact with much more grace than the majority of small cars in its compact class. Of course, crash test results of the previous generation Impreza, prior to the new car's "ring frame reinforced body structure", which includes hydroformed front subframe and side sills plus tailored-blank welded B-pillars, attest that this is indeed true, and the 2006 model should improve on the car's strong record even more due to smart dual stage frontal airbags and standard front-seat head/chest side-impact airbags. The smart designation means that sensors detect the position of the front passenger in order to mete out deployment. If there's a child on board the airbag will deploy differently than if an adult is occupying the seat. Such a system is not new, but usually only available in higher priced premium vehicles, not the entire range of an entry-level compact model.

That lineup includes the 2.5i Sedan, Sport Wagon, Outback Sport, and high-performance WRX and WRX STI sedans and wagons. While I'll get back to the Outback Sport and WRX lineup in a couple of dedicated

While the 2.5i Sedan and Sport Wagon are the least expensive models offered by Subaru, they are so well outfitted off the rack that the term base doesn't seem to fit very well. (Photo: Subaru Canada)

reviews that are already half written, I want to talk about the "base" 2.5i Sedan and Sport Wagon models first, as the changes are so involved I will scarcely have enough room to list them all let along go into much detail.

First of all, why did I put quotation marks around the term "base"? While the 2.5i Sedan and Sport Wagon are the least expensive models offered by Subaru, they are so well outfitted off the rack that the term base doesn't seem to fit very well. Features like the aforementioned standard side-impact airbags are normally left for the options list, if available in this class at all. Other items, such as standard all-wheel drive and four-wheel disc brakes with standard four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), are fine examples of how Subaru puts its customers first, never allowing a substandard product to pull down the brand's image and ruin its stellar reputation.