Segment:
        
        
            Compact/Small Family Car, Rally Sport Heritage
        
     
    
    
        
            Key Competitors:
        
        
            Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3
        
     
    
    
        
            Drivetrain Advantage:
        
        
            Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) across most trims
        
     
    
        
            Performance Variants:
        
        
            Availability of turbocharged WRX and STI models
        
     
    
        
            Design Philosophy:
        
        
            Practicality, safety, and performance, with rally-inspired DNA
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Management:
        
        
            ECU, sensors, actuators, fuel injection, ignition timing
        
     
    
        
            Powertrain Control:
        
        
            Engine, transmission, AWD system integration
        
     
    
        
            Chassis Systems:
        
        
            Suspension, steering, brakes (including ABS), wheel bearings
        
     
    
        
            Body Electrical:
        
        
            Lighting, wipers, power accessories, central locking, alarm system
        
     
    
        
            Interior Systems:
        
        
            Climate control, airbags, seat belts, instrument cluster, audio systems
        
     
    
    
        
            Routine Maintenance:
        
        
            Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug service, fluid checks/changes
        
     
    
        
            Component Diagnostics:
        
        
            Step-by-step troubleshooting for all major systems
        
     
    
        
            Component Removal And Installation:
        
        
            Detailed instructions for disassembling and reassembling all parts
        
     
    
        
            Rebuilding Procedures:
        
        
            Engine, transmission, and differential rebuilding guides
        
     
    
        
            Alignment And Balancing:
        
        
            Wheel alignment specifications and procedures
        
     
    
        
            Air Conditioning Service:
        
        
            Refrigerant handling, leak detection, component replacement
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
        
        
            Definition and troubleshooting steps for OBD-II codes
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth:
        
        
            Comprehensive (from basic maintenance to full engine rebuilds)
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostics Level:
        
        
            Advanced electronic diagnostics, including sensor data analysis
        
     
    
        
            Repair Complexity:
        
        
            Suitable for both novice DIYers and experienced technicians
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Code Na:
        
        
            EJ251 (2.5L Naturally Aspirated)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Displacement Na:
        
        
            2.5 Liters (2457 cc)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Configuration Na:
        
        
            Horizontally Opposed (Boxer) 4-cylinder
        
     
    
        
            Bore X Stroke Na:
        
        
            99.5 mm x 79.0 mm
        
     
    
        
            Compression Ratio Na:
        
        
            9.7:1
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower Na:
        
        
            165 hp @ 5600 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Torque Na:
        
        
            166 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Code Wrx:
        
        
            EJ255 (2.5L Turbocharged)
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower Wrx:
        
        
            227 hp @ 5600 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Torque Wrx:
        
        
            235 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Code Sti:
        
        
            EJ257 (2.5L Turbocharged - DOHC)
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower Sti:
        
        
            300 hp @ 6000 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Torque Sti:
        
        
            300 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Fuel Delivery:
        
        
            Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
        
     
    
        
            Recommended Fuel:
        
        
            87 Octane (NA), 91+ Octane (Turbocharged WRX/STI)
        
     
    
    
        
            Coolant Type:
        
        
            Subaru Super Coolant (Blue) or equivalent
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Length:
        
        
            173.4 - 174.6 inches (depending on model)
        
     
    
    
        
            Height:
        
        
            56.1 inches (Sedan) / 55.1 inches (Wagon)
        
     
    
    
        
            Ground Clearance:
        
        
            5.7 - 6.1 inches (depending on model)
        
     
    
    
        
            Curb Weight Na:
        
        
            ~2900 - 3100 lbs (depending on body style/transmission)
        
     
    
        
            Curb Weight Wrx:
        
        
            ~3100 - 3200 lbs
        
     
    
        
            Curb Weight Sti:
        
        
            ~3200 - 3300 lbs
        
     
    
        
            Towing Capacity:
        
        
            Not Recommended/Specified
        
     
    
    
        
            Trunk Volume Sedan:
        
        
            ~11.4 cu ft
        
     
    
        
            Cargo Volume Wagon:
        
        
            ~29.8 cu ft (behind rear seats)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            NHTSA Front Driver:
        
        
            Good (2004 Model Year)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Front Passenger:
        
        
            Good (2004 Model Year)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Side Driver:
        
        
            Good (2004 Model Year - with side airbags)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Side Rear Passenger:
        
        
            Good (2004 Model Year - with side airbags)
        
     
    
    
        
            IIHS Side Impact:
        
        
            Acceptable (without side airbags) / Good (with side airbags)
        
     
    
    
        
            ABS:
        
        
            Standard on all trims
        
     
    
        
            Traction Control:
        
        
            Available on some trims
        
     
    
        
            Electronic Stability Control:
        
        
            Not widely available on this generation
        
     
    
    
        
            Airbags Front:
        
        
            Standard Dual Front SRS Airbags
        
     
    
        
            Airbags Side:
        
        
            Optional Front Side-Impact Airbags
        
     
    
        
            Seatbelts:
        
        
            3-point front and rear seatbelts with pretensioners
        
     
    
        
            Child Seat Anchors:
        
        
            LATCH system
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Audio System:
        
        
            Factory AM/FM/CD player with optional CD changer. Basic speaker setup.
        
     
    
        
            Navigation:
        
        
            Not available on most trims. Aftermarket solutions were common.
        
     
    
    
        
            Cruise Control:
        
        
            Standard on most trims
        
     
    
        
            Keyless Entry:
        
        
            Available on higher trims
        
     
    
    
        
            Auxiliary Input:
        
        
            Typically not standard. Requires aftermarket modification.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Every 3,750 miles or 3 months (severe conditions) / 7,500 miles or 6 months (normal conditions), check manual for specifics.
        
     
    
        
            Air Filter Replacement:
        
        
            Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
        
     
    
        
            Spark Plug Replacement:
        
        
            Every 60,000 miles (Iridium plugs)
        
     
    
        
            Timing Belt Replacement:
        
        
            105,000 miles or 105 months (critical for EJ engines)
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Oil:
        
        
            SAE 5W-30 (API SJ or higher, ILSAC GF-3)
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Manual:
        
        
            SAE 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Automatic:
        
        
            Subaru ATF-HP or Dexron III compatible
        
     
    
        
            Differential Fluid Front:
        
        
            SAE 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil
        
     
    
        
            Differential Fluid Rear:
        
        
            SAE 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil
        
     
    
        
            Brake Fluid:
        
        
            DOT 3 or DOT 4
        
     
    
    
        
            Head Gaskets:
        
        
            Common on EJ25 engines, particularly earlier models. Manual provides repair procedures.
        
     
    
        
            Clutch Wear:
        
        
            Can be accelerated with aggressive driving, especially on WRX/STI models.
        
     
    
        
            Turbo Failure:
        
        
            Potential on WRX/STI if maintenance intervals are neglected or oil starvation occurs.
        
     
    
        
            Rust:
        
        
            Can affect wheel wells, rocker panels, and rear quarter panels in rust-belt regions.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Subaru Focus:
        
        
            All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engines since its inception
        
     
    
        
            Rally Dominance:
        
        
            Strong association with World Rally Championship (WRC) success
        
     
    
    
        
            Generation Introduction:
        
        
            Second Generation (2002-2007)
        
     
    
        
            Design Change:
        
        
            Significant styling update from the first generation, moving away from classic rally car proportions.
        
     
    
        
            Engine Development:
        
        
            Introduction of the EJ255 and EJ257 turbocharged engines for WRX/STI models.
        
     
    
    
        
            Manufacturing Plant:
        
        
            Gunma Manufacturing Plant, Japan
        
     
    
        
            Production Years:
        
        
            2002-2007