2nd Gen (2001 to 2007)

Introduced globally for the 2001 model year, the second-generation Subaru Impreza marked a major evolution of the platform that cemented Subaru’s reputation for rally-inspired performance and everyday usability. Offered in sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, the generation is best known for its early “Bugeye” design, a bold look that lasted only two years before a facelift arrived in 2003, followed by further updates through the Blobeye and Hawkeye revisions. Power came from a range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged flat-four engines paired with Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive, while standout performance variants such as the WRX and WRX STi, along with limited editions like the RB320 and GB270, strengthened the model’s motorsport credentials. Total production is estimated at around 1.3 million units worldwide before the generation ended in 2007. In the Australian market, second-generation Imprezas were officially sold in strong numbers and became a cornerstone of local performance car culture through rally exposure and tuning popularity, with values today driven by variant (WRX/STi premium), body style, originality, mileage, and condition, as clean, unmodified examples continue to tighten in supply.