LA-GD3 · TA-GD3

Subaru Impreza GD3 specs

GD3 is the model code of the Subaru Impreza / Forester. Japan’s transport ministry lists it in its fuel economy lists from 2004–2007 under 2 model types LA-GD3, TA-GD3. A genuine car’s chassis number starts GD3-.

GD3 at a glance

Make: Subaru
Model: Impreza, Forester
Model code: GD3
Model types: LA-GD3, TA-GD3
In MLIT’s lists: 2004–2007
Engines: EJ15 1,493 cc petrol
Gearboxes: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
Drive: four-wheel drive
Kerb weight: 1,230–1,280 kg
Official fuel economy: 13.4–16 km/L (38–45 mpg)

Fuel economy is from Japan’s official tests and is usually better than you’ll see on UK roads. MLIT doesn’t list power or torque.

LA-GD3

Listed 2004–2007. The LA prefix (our explanation, not MLIT’s) means certified to Japan’s 2000 emissions rules, 50% below their limits. Check LA-GD3 against ULEZ and clean air zones.

Engine	Gearbox	Drive	Weight	Seats	Fuel economy	Listed
EJ151,493 cc petrol	4-speed automatic	four-wheel drive	1,260 kg	—	14.2 km/L40 mpg, Japanese 10-15 mode test	2004–2007
EJ151,493 cc petrol	5-speed manual	four-wheel drive	1,230–1,250 kg	—	16 km/L45 mpg, Japanese 10-15 mode test	2004–2007

TA-GD3

Listed 2004–2007. The TA prefix (our explanation, not MLIT’s) means certified to Japan’s 2000 emissions rules, 25% below their limits. Check TA-GD3 against ULEZ and clean air zones.

Engine	Gearbox	Drive	Weight	Seats	Fuel economy	Listed
EJ151,493 cc petrol	4-speed automatic	four-wheel drive	1,270–1,280 kg	—	13.4 km/L38 mpg, Japanese 10-15 mode test	2004–2007

Each row is one version as MLIT lists it. A version can appear twice when MLIT gave figures on two tests that year. Low-emission stars and trim names aren’t shown. MLIT gives fuel economy in km/L; the mpg figures are our conversion to UK gallons. Japanese tests are gentler than real UK driving, so expect less.

Check a GD3 before you buy

Make sure the car is what the advert says: the chassis number on the V5C should start GD3-, and the engine and gearbox should match one of the versions above. Our free check reads the UK MOT history and compares it with the chassis code.

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Questions

What engine does the GD3 have?

MLIT lists the Subaru Impreza / Forester GD3 with EJ15 1,493 cc petrol.

What fuel economy does the GD3 get?

Officially between 13.4 and 16 km/L (about 38–45 mpg), depending on the version, on Japan’s own tests. Real-world figures are usually lower, especially against the older 10-15 mode test.

How heavy is the GD3?

Between 1,230 and 1,280 kg kerb weight, depending on the version.

Is LA-GD3 the same as GD3?

Yes. LA-GD3 is the full model type: the letters before the hyphen are Japan’s emissions code, which changed as the rules were tightened, and GD3 is the model code. The chassis number starts with GD3-.

About these figures

The model types, engine codes, capacities, gearboxes, drive, weights, seats and km/L figures are copied from MLIT’s yearly lists of cars on sale in Japan each March, so “listed” years are list years, not exact production dates. The English model names, mpg conversions, emissions code explanations and chassis number matching are ours. Lists before 2013 were printed as PDFs that we read by machine; where an older list gives an engine code that doesn’t match its capacity, we’ve used the figure the same model type has in other years. Check anything that matters against the car’s own papers. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected]. All Subaru model codes.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan, fuel economy lists 2004–2026, used under the Public Data License 1.0. Edited and translated by JDM History.