Inside WRX
The Impreza is now built from the same platform as the larger Subaru Legacy, which makes it roomy enough for four adults or five in a pinch. There's abundant headroom too.
Rally-style heated sport seats are comfortable, and all the performance car elements are in place- including metallic accenting and a revised instrument cluster with a big centre mounted tachometer like a Porsche. Winter-busting features like automatic climate control and heated wipers come as standard. Minor complaints include a few squeaks and rattles, and the stereo system. Compared to the premium audio systems in some competing vehicles, the one fitted to the WRX seems mediocre.
Boxer power
But what's behind the new grille certainly isn't mediocre. It's a turbocharged and intercooled version of the 2.5 litre boxer engine found in the standard Impreza. Due to measurement procedures, output is down slightly to 224 horsepower this year. That's still 56 more horses than the standard model makes, and they're all wonderful. Power was sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission on the tester. A four-speed automatic is available.
Putting it down
The heavy clutch and somewhat notchy shifter were a little demanding though enjoyable to use nonetheless. Power comes on quickly and firmly as the turbocharger kicks in at the slightest press of the accelerator. The engine, like all boxers, is a bit lumpy and coarse, but it sounds fantastic, and the WRX's eagerness to devour pavement will cause lasting grins.
Just watch your speed- because this machine likes it, and the turbocharger can sneak up on you on the highway if you don't use the cruise control. Nail the throttle, and after a whiff of boost-lag, torsos become firmly pressed into seatbacks, while grins wipe across all occupants faces. Mileage averaged about 9L / 100km on the highway and 11L / 100km in the city- less than the 07 model I tried last year and strangely only slightly worse than the standard car.
The Impreza is now built from the same platform as the larger Subaru Legacy, which makes it roomy enough for four adults or five in a pinch. There's abundant headroom too.
Rally-style heated sport seats are comfortable, and all the performance car elements are in place- including metallic accenting and a revised instrument cluster with a big centre mounted tachometer like a Porsche. Winter-busting features like automatic climate control and heated wipers come as standard. Minor complaints include a few squeaks and rattles, and the stereo system. Compared to the premium audio systems in some competing vehicles, the one fitted to the WRX seems mediocre.
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| The interior looks good, but fit and finish could be better. |
Boxer power
But what's behind the new grille certainly isn't mediocre. It's a turbocharged and intercooled version of the 2.5 litre boxer engine found in the standard Impreza. Due to measurement procedures, output is down slightly to 224 horsepower this year. That's still 56 more horses than the standard model makes, and they're all wonderful. Power was sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission on the tester. A four-speed automatic is available.
Putting it down
The heavy clutch and somewhat notchy shifter were a little demanding though enjoyable to use nonetheless. Power comes on quickly and firmly as the turbocharger kicks in at the slightest press of the accelerator. The engine, like all boxers, is a bit lumpy and coarse, but it sounds fantastic, and the WRX's eagerness to devour pavement will cause lasting grins.
Just watch your speed- because this machine likes it, and the turbocharger can sneak up on you on the highway if you don't use the cruise control. Nail the throttle, and after a whiff of boost-lag, torsos become firmly pressed into seatbacks, while grins wipe across all occupants faces. Mileage averaged about 9L / 100km on the highway and 11L / 100km in the city- less than the 07 model I tried last year and strangely only slightly worse than the standard car.
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| Power gets to the wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox - a 4-speed automatic is optional. |