Here's what Kiplinger's wrote in part about the Impreza:

"The Impreza is one of the least expensive all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market. Redesigned for 2012 to be edgier inside and out, it gets 30 percent better fuel economy - and it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick."

"The Impreza employs two versions of Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive: Manual-transmission models get "Continuous AWD" that initially splits power 50-50 between front and rear wheels, and automatics (which cost an extra $1,000) get "Active AWD," which sends power to the wheels based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction."