About This Subaru Impreza Sport Premium 2016 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru Impreza Sport Premium 2016 sits on a set of 17×9 / 17×9-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Enkei for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Subaru Impreza Sport Premium builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Enkei RPF1 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Enkei RPF1 on the Subaru Impreza Sport Premium 2016
I walked around this Subaru in the lot and immediately noticed how those 17x9 RPF1s transform the stance. Pushing a nine-inch wide wheel onto an Impreza Sport requires serious precision. This setup uses a +45 offset, which keeps the scrub radius feeling sharp and responsive.
That +45 offset is the golden ticket for this specific chassis. It tucks the wheel inward just enough to avoid those pesky fender tabs. We see way too many guys rub their liners because they guess on the offset.
Enkei designed these spokes with a distinct curve that clears the factory Impreza calipers without any spacers. You get that classic racing look without the headache of sourcing extended wheel studs. The hub bore fits snug, so grab some high-quality hub-centric rings to prevent those high-speed vibrations.
These coils drop the car right down to where the tire meets the liner. I love how the 17-inch diameter keeps the sidewall meatier than an 18-inch wheel would. You get more compliance on rough roads while still looking aggressive.
We checked the inner clearance near the strut housing carefully. At 17x9, you are very close to the suspension arm depending on your alignment specs. Dial in some negative camber if you want to tuck those wheels flush under the metal.
The barrel lip depth on the RPF1 looks purposeful rather than flashy. It screams rally heritage instead of trying too hard for the show scene. This is a functional fitment that respects the engineering of the Subaru platform.
Just watch out for tight lock-to-lock turns on uneven pavement. You might hear a tiny whisper of rubber against the plastic liner if you hit a dip hard. That is the price of admission for a meaty, track-ready aesthetic.
What We Recommend for Subaru Impreza Sport Premium 2016 Owners
If you want to replicate this build, stick to a square setup. Staggering wheels on this AWD system ruins your differential math and creates a nightmare for your tires. A 17x9 square configuration keeps rotation simple and performance predictable.
Don't try to go wider than nine inches unless you enjoy hacking up your fenders. Anything more aggressive than +40 offset will have you poking past the wheel arches like a go-kart. Keep it tucked and professional.
We highly suggest running a 245/40/17 tire to get that perfect balance of grip and profile. A slightly wider tire will protect those silver rims from curb rash during daily commutes. Avoid the extreme stretch look because it cheapens the build.
Alignment is everything when you swap wheels this wide. You need to pull at least -1.5 degrees of camber in the front to stop the outer shoulder from shredding. Take it to a real shop instead of using a string and a prayer.
Avoid buying cheap knock-off wheels that mimic the RPF1 design. The weight savings of the genuine Enkei MAT process actually improve your steering feedback. You will feel the difference in every corner you take.
Style and Build Analysis
The Silver finish on these RPF1s provides a clean, timeless contrast against the Subaru paint. It feels like a callback to the golden era of Japanese rally cars. The brightness of the silver catches the sunlight and highlights the intricate spoke geometry.
We think the proportions hit the mark because the wheel size doesn't overwhelm the car. The 17-inch diameter feels right at home in the wheel wells of this Impreza. It looks like a car that was built to be driven hard on a winding mountain road.
The stance sits low enough to look mean but high enough to remain usable. We see too many builds that drag their belly pans on every speed bump. This Subaru maintains its dignity while looking completely transformed.
Compared to other builds we have featured, this one shows restraint. Many owners throw on massive wings or tacky stickers, but this guy kept it classy. The wheels are the center of the conversation, not the side show.
Every time I look at the profile, the car seems wider and more planted. The RPF1 design is busy enough to be interesting but simple enough to stay relevant forever. It is a masterclass in how to upgrade a daily driver without ruining its character.
Why We Love This Build
This build resonates with me because it is exactly what a daily-driven Subaru should look like. The silver RPF1s glint in the light as the car rolls into the light of the setting sun. It carries that understated confidence that only true enthusiasts understand.
I stopped dead in my tracks the moment I saw it parked at the show. The wheels fill those arches with purpose and demand your respect without shouting for attention. It makes the factory lines look sharper and more focused than stock.
When you walk away from this car, you look back one last time to admire the stance. It reminds me why we love this hobby in the first place. You need this setup.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Subaru Impreza Sport Premium 2016
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Enkei RPF1
- Wheel Size: 17×9 / 17×9
- Offset: 45 / 45
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Federal 595 RS-RR 235/40 24.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 24.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru Impreza Sport Premium owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels fit my Subaru Impreza Sport Premium? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Subaru Impreza Sport Premium owners run 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
