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When Cars Guide Aaron Gold asked me to review the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door, he had only one condition. "You have to promise me that you'll take it out and drive it hard on some canyon roads." Let me think about that for a sec -- okay! That's like taking me to a buffet and making me promise to try the lobster. The WRX begs to be flogged, and I obliged. The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door arrives with a base price of $28,950 ($29,833 as tested) and EPA fuel economy estimates of 19-20 mpg city and 24-25 mpg highway. Let's drive.
First Glance: A spy in BMW's house?
The WRX has been available in the United States since 2002, and has undergone its first substantial redesign for the 2008 model year. Gone are the bug-eye headlights and bubble butt of yore. 2008 ushers in a new sleek, normal-looking WRX. Some fans may lament the change, but let's take a closer look and see what Subaru's up to...
Subaru may have a spy in the house of BMW. To my eye, WRX resembles the European-market BMW 1-series hatchback (link goes to photo). That's high praise -- Subaru has never been a design leader. In fact, the company's quirky design has attracted the anti-design crowd, Birkenstock-wearing hippies who make their own cheese. This new WRX is worthy of a tuxedo, so classy are its lines.
The hood is separated from the bumper with a horizontally-linked grille and headlight package. WRX's signature hood scoop has been toned down into a flush opening, albeit a large one, in the center of the hood. Ten-spoke 17" aluminum alloy wheels fill the big wheel wells. A sharp character line runs from the middle of the front fender all the way along the body, connecting with the taillights at the rear. Another sharp crease connects the front and rear side doors, suspiciously like the "Bangle Bends" that BMW designer Chris Bangle is so famous for on his cars. On the WRX, the lines lend a real sense of speed and forward motion, even while sitting still. A revised, simplified tailgate finishes off the WRX, with big rounded glass. It's a unique look, elegant in a way previous WRXs never were. Nice.
In the Driver's Seat: Coddle your hippie
While Subaru exteriors have been quirky, Subaru interiors have been quietly inching toward luxury over the years. The secret that those hippies never tell is that they like being coddled. Subaru has gotten very good at coddling drivers and passengers alike, loading up WRX with luxury features, high quality materials and comfort all around. My test vehicle was equipped with standard automatic climate control, touch-screen GPS navigation, Sirius satellite radio, tilt and telescopic-adjustable steering wheel, power windows and door locks, and heated seats. Fit and finish are exemplary, with a feeling of quality everywhere you look and touch. I also appreciated the extra thoughtful features, like an auxiliary audio input, plenty of cubbies and places to stow gear, and straightforward ergonomics.
Rear seat passengers are also treated to a very comfortable space, with a dual-bucket-look 60/40 split folding bench seat. The hatchback's design provides plenty of headroom, and the 103.1" wheelbase (3.7" longer than the previous WRX) adds a little bit of stretch for the legs.
Let's not forget that WRX is a potent driver's car. Subaru hasn't forgotten, equipping the cabin with a very grippy driver's seat that keeps you in place during hard maneuvers. Comfort doesn't have to mean cushiness, as evidenced by the seat's firm feel. Adjustability is great, and along with that tilt/telescope steering wheel, it's easy to get into the perfect driving position.
On the Road: Fast-forward
Now that we're in position, let's drive. My WRX arrived with a 5-speed manual transmission and a buttery clutch. You can get a 4-speed automatic in your WRX for an extra grand, but you'd be missing out on half the fun. Let's talk engine: how about a 2.5 liter turbocharged double overhead cam (DOHC) horizontally opposed ("boxer") 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque? Sound good? You bet it does. And with 3,142 lbs of car to haul around (just 50 lbs more than the old WRX), it just plain cooks. Subaru has tamed turbo lag, which is the tendency of a turbo's power to kick in seconds after the throttle has been depressed. Push down on the gas and WRX takes off, no lag in sight.
Power alone does not make a driver's car. It's how that power gets to the street, and what the car does with it that counts. Every WRX is equipped with Subaru's "Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive" system, which distributes torque and horsepower to the wheels that need them. Combine that with 4-wheel independent suspension (front struts, rear double wishbone), four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist and electronic stability control, and you've got a recipe for canyon carving. The thrill of velocity, of pushing the car into the turns and knowing that you've got incredible grip at your disposal, can make sane men do crazy things. I'm normally a very safe driver. I had to tell myself out loud several times to slow down in the WRX -- I just wanted to drive insanely fast at all times, I was having such fun.
Journey's End: A brilliant balance of fun, utility and comfort
WRX sits right in the middle of the Impreza lineup. The Impreza 2.5i (link goes to review) starts at just $17,640 and arrives without the turbo, relegating it to a mere 170 hp/170 lb-ft of torque. Above the WRX is the WRX STI (Subaru Tecnica International), which takes insane up a notch with 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. The first question you have to ask yourself when you're considering a WRX is "Why not the STI?" Well, beside price (STI starts at $35,640 and can top out above $40,000), STI adds bodywork and a wing to the design, which will draw unwanted attention. STI is also set up with a stiffer suspension and is less civilized on a day-to-day basis than WRX. I'd definitely choose the sleeper WRX, and I'd choose the 5-door over the sedan.
If you're considering a Subaru WRX, there are several other excellent vehicles to consider. My personal favorite "hot hatch" is the Mazdaspeed3, a pocket rocket with a very reasonable price tag. The Volvo C30, Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI are also very good, though none of these cars offer all-wheel-drive. (VW's R32 does, but it's more expensive, automatic-only, and not as much fun.)
If you need a comfortable, fast hatchback that will invigorate you every time you get behind the wheel -- and if you've got great self-control -- you owe it to yourself to test drive a Subaru WRX. There are faster cars; there are more fuel-efficient, cheaper cars; there are flashier cars; but there are few cars that balance fun, utility and comfort with such ease. -- Jason Fogelson
Next page: Likes/dislikes, who should buy it, details and specs
