The good news
Before going any further, I'd like to talk about pricing because that's the good news about the 2008 Impreza. With a $2,000 lower base price ($20,695), this compact now finds itself in the sweet spot of the category. Tradition obliges, it comes well equipped and offers all the little things consumers like: heated side mirrors, 16-inch wheels, climate control and -- finally! -- a rear bench that almost folds completely flat.
The real deal, however, is the Sport model. At $23,195 (plus $1,100 for the automatic transmission), buyers get aluminum wheels, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Reverse Assist, four-wheel disc brakes (that's right, the base model still relies on rear drum brakes...), fog lights, a wiper de-icer, audio controls on the steering wheel and -- God bless -- heated seats.
WRX: blending into the mass?
Strangely, while the WRX wagon used to be offered at the same price as the sedan ($35,495), the new model is now more expensive: $33,895 for the 5-door and $32,995 for the 4-door.
What do you get for this kind of money? A 224-hp turbocharged engine, a functional hood scoop, electroluminescent gauges, rally sport-type seats, 17-inch wheels, satellite radio (excluding subscription fees), a telescopic steering wheel and automatic climate control.
That's a nice list for sure, but few visual elements set the WRX apart from the lesser models. No huge spoiler, no aggressive rims... even the body kit is modest. It's as if the WRX wanted to blend into the mass or make people forget about its WRC heritage. Mission accomplished!
Let's get serious
Okay, what kind of beast lies under the hood? There's nothing really new here. The good old 2.5L horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder engine is back and I'm glad. This boxer mill has always been loyal and dependable; for 2008, it remains so while benefiting from a redesigned intake, which helps deliver more low- and mid-range torque.
Before going any further, I'd like to talk about pricing because that's the good news about the 2008 Impreza. With a $2,000 lower base price ($20,695), this compact now finds itself in the sweet spot of the category. Tradition obliges, it comes well equipped and offers all the little things consumers like: heated side mirrors, 16-inch wheels, climate control and -- finally! -- a rear bench that almost folds completely flat.
The real deal, however, is the Sport model. At $23,195 (plus $1,100 for the automatic transmission), buyers get aluminum wheels, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Reverse Assist, four-wheel disc brakes (that's right, the base model still relies on rear drum brakes...), fog lights, a wiper de-icer, audio controls on the steering wheel and -- God bless -- heated seats.
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| The aggressiveness of the previous model is just not there. |
WRX: blending into the mass?
Strangely, while the WRX wagon used to be offered at the same price as the sedan ($35,495), the new model is now more expensive: $33,895 for the 5-door and $32,995 for the 4-door.
What do you get for this kind of money? A 224-hp turbocharged engine, a functional hood scoop, electroluminescent gauges, rally sport-type seats, 17-inch wheels, satellite radio (excluding subscription fees), a telescopic steering wheel and automatic climate control.
That's a nice list for sure, but few visual elements set the WRX apart from the lesser models. No huge spoiler, no aggressive rims... even the body kit is modest. It's as if the WRX wanted to blend into the mass or make people forget about its WRC heritage. Mission accomplished!
Let's get serious
Okay, what kind of beast lies under the hood? There's nothing really new here. The good old 2.5L horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder engine is back and I'm glad. This boxer mill has always been loyal and dependable; for 2008, it remains so while benefiting from a redesigned intake, which helps deliver more low- and mid-range torque.
 |
| The venerable 2.5L 4-cylinder boxer engine is back. |