l work at a job which l change oil and change tires on cars often. I've driven quite afew Subaru is and l wanna get one. My problem is how do l know which engine it is that is faster and which ones are the sluggish ones?

you want a subaru wrx sti
thats the best subaru

Research.

The Subaru Impreza WRX ST l is the fastest Subaru there is.

l have a basic Legacy and it has no get up and go. l think l can out run it. An Outback comes with a bigger motor, therefore it goes quicker. The Impreza is nice and fast but then the WRX is the fastest one they make. Turbo charge!

Most of the subaru is today come with the 2.5 L 4 Cly it makes descent power but the turbo models are the fastest.

Base model Imprezas & Legacies come with a SOHC 2.5L, about 170 hp..The 2.5RS & Legacy sport r DOHC, about 210 HP.The base WRX (turbo) is around 225, & the Legacy GT is 240( turbo).. but the WRX STi (BIG turbo) rules the roost.. for 2008, is 305hp/ around 300 lb-ft torque; 0-60 in well under 5 seconds..But speaking from experience ( l own an 07 WRX).. even the WRX is plenty fast enough to scare you.0-60 in 4.8 seconds & a top speed of almost 160..they r highly under-rated from the factory..

Any Subaru model with a Turbo is fairly quick. But the beauty is that they all carry AWD.

The 02-05 WRX models have a 2.0l turbo engine worth around 225hp, where as newer ones carry the 2.5l with a bit more. The ST l is king though, all year ST l is came with the 2.5l engine & bigger turbo with around 305hp, the big difference in the two though is the ST l runs AVCS valve timing contol as well as a 6spd with DCCD, instead of the standard 5spd in the WRX.

Which ever one u choose u will not be dissapointed, they all offer great practicality, safety, reliability, & whoooole lotta fun.

Basic Answer: The newer the model the faster it is, & Subarus came in a 2.2L (150ishHP) (older models 90 is early 2000's) & 2.5L 4cyl (173HP 05+ Everything Outbacks, Foresters, Impreza is Legacys all come with this motor) , 4cyl w/ Turbo is (Legacy GT, Impreza WRX (250HP), Impreza Sti (300HPish), & 6cyl (LL Bean Outback, Tribeca, Legacy 3.0R (about 225 HP)

If u want a snappy Subaru get a turbo u need premium gas & dont get as good fuel econmy but its so fun u wont care
If u get a regular 4cyl model aim for 05 or newer those have the best power, the older ones r ok, but Id say sluggish. Avoid anything before 02.

Before u buy, just go test drive a few models, only u can make the right choice on what u like & what fits ur needs the best, but there is a subaru made for everyone.

There are different engines in them, even though they may look the same on the outside. The sales agent will explain it all to you, but it sounds like what you're wanting is their WRX STi, which is modeled after a rally car and is AMAZING for both performance and looks.

fastest= sTi
sluggish= ???? probably th base Impreeza

sum 1 sed Subie put th engine backward 2 make it faster. l wud rather say th boxer engine iz th cause.

The impreza ST l is the fastest one. it has a superior turbo and superior brakes and ecu tuning. This generates about 275hp. The WRX is next or in the new 08/09 model its called the 2.0 GT. This has not the same tweaking as the ST l models and is cheaper, and therefore has about 225hp. In the new models there are also 1.5 models, but for the purpose of a subaru impreza this is a pointless option.

Just remember that the turbo models are the fastest ones. That is how you will know.

most subaru is have 2 engine choices..

2.5i & 2.5 GT/XT

2.5i is a standard 170 hp fuel injected engine.

2.5 GT/XT is the 2.5 engine but turbocharged so u get 224-243 hp.

so, get a turbocharged engine. there r exceptions. subuaru has a few flat 6 is on the Tribeca & Legacy 245-256 hp, more horses but probably a little more sluggish than the turbocharged models. & of course the one with the most punch is the engine on the Impreza WRX STi, that will be 305 hp from the 2.5 turbo.

Do not get a 4 cylinder without a turbo!!! We had an impreza (automatic) & an Outback (automatic), stupid us with husband bought them a week apart.. The Outback looked very nice, in & out, but was soo sluggish, went for trade in under 2K! The Impreza looks good outside, soo boring inside. Little faster, since it is lighter, but still did not satisfy. Went to trade in also. So they did not even last an oil change.. That is our Subaru experience.. Me, l would not buy an Impreza WRX (Impreza with turbo), it is still ugly inside, looks like a car from the eighties, same as the regular one just faster & like 8 grand more.. Maybe the Legacy GT, that l would buy.. Bigger, then impreza, nicer, faster.. This is a 4 cylinder turbo.. Or a V6 Outback, a little expensive & only comes as a Wagon..