Segment:
Compact sedan, coupe, and wagon; known for its standard AWD and rally heritage
Competitors:
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf
Distinguishing Attributes:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, Boxer engine, practical interior space, available turbocharged WRX variant
Target Audience:
DIY mechanics, independent repair shops, Subaru enthusiasts, owners seeking in-depth technical knowledge
Continents Markets:
North America, Europe, Asia, Australia
Trim Levels Covered:
All, including base, Outback Sport, WRX (where applicable in region)
Type:
Factory Service Manual / Workshop Manual
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition system, lubrication system, cooling system, exhaust system, engine control system (ECU/ECM), turbocharger system (for WRX)
Drivetrain:
Clutch system, manual transmission, automatic transmission, front differential, rear differential, all-wheel-drive system (VTD/DCCD for specific models)
Suspension Steering:
Front suspension (struts, control arms, stabilizer bar), rear suspension (multi-link, struts, stabilizer bar), steering system (power steering pump, rack and pinion), wheel alignment
Brakes:
Front disc brakes, rear disc brakes, parking brake, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), brake bleeding procedures
Electrical:
12V battery system, charging system (alternator), starting system (starter motor), lighting system, instrumentation, power accessories, fuse box diagrams, wiring diagrams, diagnostic connectors (OBD-II)
HVAC:
Air conditioning system, heater system, ventilation, climate control (manual and automatic, if equipped)
Body Interior:
Body panels, doors, windows, locks, exterior trim, interior trim, seating, airbags, seat belts, body repair information
Maintenance:
Oil change, filter replacement, spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid replacement, transmission fluid change, differential fluid change, belt inspection/replacement, air filter replacement
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides for common symptoms, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), component testing procedures, sensor checks
Repair:
Engine assembly/disassembly, transmission overhaul, clutch replacement, brake caliper rebuild, suspension component replacement, electrical component repair, radiator replacement, fuel pump replacement
Installation:
Component installation procedures, accessory installation guidelines
Depth:
Comprehensive; covers everything from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including detailed diagnostics and wiring diagrams
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated Boxer-4 (EJ22, EJ25)
Displacement:
2.2L (2211 cc) and 2.5L (2457 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
EJ22: 92.0 mm x 83.0 mm; EJ25: 99.5 mm x 80.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
EJ22: 9.5:1; EJ25: 10.0:1 (NA variants)
Horsepower Ej22:
135 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque Ej22:
145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Horsepower Ej25 Na:
165 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque Ej25 Na:
166 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Engine Type Wrx:
Turbocharged Boxer-4 (EJ20G, EJ205)
Displacement Wrx:
2.0L (1994 cc)
Horsepower Wrx:
215-230 hp @ 5600-6000 rpm (model dependent)
Torque Wrx:
200-240 lb-ft @ 4800-5000 rpm (model dependent)
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (87 octane recommended for NA, 91+ for WRX)
ECU:
Subaru Engine Control Module (ECM)
Ignition System:
Distributorless Ignition System (DIS) with Coil-on-Plug (COP) or Coil-near-Plug (CNP)
Oil Capacity:
4.5 - 5.0 US quarts (4.3 - 4.7 liters) with filter, depending on engine
Oil Specification:
API SJ or higher, SAE 5W-30 synthetic or semi-synthetic recommended
Coolant Capacity:
7.0 - 7.5 US quarts (6.6 - 7.1 liters)
Coolant Specification:
Subaru Super Coolant (Blue) or equivalent; 50/50 mixture with distilled water
Transmission Type AWD:
5-speed Manual Transmission (TY754 / TY856)
Transmission Type FWD Option:
4-speed Automatic Transmission (K4A / KM2)
Automatic Transmission Availability:
Available on many NA models, generally paired with a viscous coupling center differential for AWD
AWD System:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (full-time) with viscous coupling center differential (standard on most models); Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) on some WRX models
Fluid Specification Manual
Fluid Type Manual:
GL-5 Gear Oil (75W-90 recommended)
Capacity Manual:
Approx. 3.4 US quarts (3.2 liters)
Fluid Specification Automatic
Fluid Type Automatic:
Subaru ATF-HP or equivalent Dexron III/Mercon
Capacity Automatic:
Approx. 4.5 US quarts (4.3 liters) for torque converter drain/fill
Fluid Type Front Rear:
GL-5 Gear Oil (75W-90 recommended)
Length:
Sedan: ~4415 mm (173.8 in); Wagon: ~4350 mm (171.3 in)
Width:
~1690 mm (66.5 in)
Height:
Sedan: ~1405 mm (55.3 in); Wagon: ~1420 mm (55.9 in)
Wheelbase:
~2510 mm (98.8 in)
Ground Clearance:
~150 mm (5.9 in) for standard models
Curb Weight:
1250 - 1450 kg (2756 - 3197 lbs), depending on body style and equipment
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 1700-1800 kg (3748-3968 lbs)
Trunk Volume Sedan:
Approx. 0.37 m³ (13.0 cu ft)
Cargo Volume Wagon:
Approx. 0.84 m³ (29.7 cu ft) behind rear seats
NHTSA Front Crash Test:
4/5 stars (driver/passenger) (when equipped with dual airbags)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (when equipped with side airbags, though not common for this year)
ABS:
Available on most models, standard on WRX and higher trims
Traction Control:
Rarely equipped on NA models, available on select WRX variants
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags standard on most models
Seat Belts:
3-point front and rear seat belts
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH system not standard, ISOFIX anchors may be present in some markets
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM/Cassette or CD player, 4-6 speaker system (depending on trim).
Navigation:
Not available from the factory
Cruise Control:
Standard on most models
Climate Control:
Manual HVAC system standard; automatic climate control available on higher trims
Bluetooth:
Not available from the factory
Usb Ports:
Not available from the factory
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first (severe duty) or 7,500 miles (12,000 km) / 12 months (normal duty)
Engine Air Filter:
Inspect every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), replace as needed or every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Cabin Air Filter:
Not typically equipped on this generation
Spark Plugs:
Replace every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) for NGK Iridium plugs (OEM) or copper plugs as per manual.
Timing Belt:
Replace every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 108 months, whichever comes first. Critical component.
Coolant Replacement:
Flush and replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months
Brake Fluid Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months
Power Steering Fluid:
ATF Type H or equivalent
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Head Gaskets:
EJ25D engines (early phase) are prone to head gasket failure due to coolant passage design. Check for coolant leaks, milky oil, or white exhaust smoke.
Rear Main Seal:
Potential for rear main seal leaks, especially on higher mileage vehicles.
Clutch Wear:
Clutch wear is normal, but frequent hard driving or AWD engagement can accelerate wear.
Oil Leaks:
Valve cover gasket leaks and front crankshaft seal leaks are common.
Radiator Plastic Tanks:
Plastic end tanks on the radiator can become brittle and crack over time, leading to coolant leaks.
Company Origin:
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (now Subaru Corporation), Japan
Motorsport Legacy:
Strong rally heritage, with Impreza WRX and WRX STI achieving significant WRC success
First Generation Start:
1992 (Japan), 1995 (North America)
Second Generation Start:
2000
Manufacturing Locations:
Japan (Ota, Gunma Prefecture)
Production Years Specific Model:
1997-1998