What do the Guide Rating stars mean?
We've tested two of the Impreza's three variants here at About.com Cars, and both have done well. I liked the Impreza 2.5i because it provides safe, sensible transportation, and Jason liked the hot-rod Impreza WRX 'cause it's so darn much fun. So what about the top-of-the-line Impreza, the all-singing, all-dancing STI? Read on.
Larger photos: Front - rear - interior - all photos
- Excellent styling -- looks way better than the WRX
- Roomy wagonette body makes it great for family duty
- Lots of fun to drive fast
- Not so much fun to drive *really* fast
- Showy electronics are overkill
- Fastest of Subaru's Impreza-based hot rods
- Price range (incl. options): $35,640 - $40,358
- Price as tested: $36,305
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 17 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, 19 MPG combined
The WRX STI costs $10,645 more than the WRX, and for that you get extra power (305 hp and 290 lb-ft vs. 224/226), a six-speed stick, extra-stiff suspension, extra-fancy electronic center differential (with three performance programs and nine "manual" settings), and an extra-butch body kit. And there's stuff you don't get: No sedan body style and no automatic transmission.
Normally I wouldn't waste time talking about the body kit, but I think the STI looks brilliant -- the bulged-out fenders and big scoops do wonders for the Impreza's otherwise-dull styling, and the mini-wagon body adds a fair amount of practicality.
So what's it like to drive? Acceleration is absolutely thrilling. Handling-wise, the STI is like a stereo that sounds better and better the louder it gets -- until the dial hits ten and the base and treble suddenly get all distorted. The STI goes from unyielding grip (like a well-behaved all-wheel-drive car) to slight understeer (like a well-behaved front driver) to some sort of random response (like an unstable sociopath). I felt as if the STI would work with me, but only to a point -- and if I crossed that line, it would simply kill me and move on.
What about the driver-adjustable differential? I left it in the recommended setting of Auto Minus, but wasn't able to coax even a hint of oversteer out of the STI, though on some curves I felt the power shifting back and forth, front-to-rear, as if the electronics couldn't decide what to do.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with the STI, but I don't think I could justify spending the extra 10.6 grand when the WRX is so good. The real competition comes from Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution; I wholeheartedly prefer the Lancer. The STI was fun, but a bit scary at the ragged edge. If you buy one, I'm sure you'll enjoy it -- just remember to treat it with respect. -- Aaron Gold
