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Subaru Impreza WRX - What the Auto Press Says

The following is a performance-capsule review of the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX. It is based on our analysis of 31 published reviews and test drives.

Fear not, enthusiasts: the legendary WRX is back to its old self, providing break-neck speed and superb-handling dynamics for an affordable price.

 

Model Overview

Much to the delight of rally racing enthusiasts and back road burners, Subaru's 2008 decision to go mainstream with the WRX has been rescinded. Edmunds explains: "[L]ast year's complete redesign of the Impreza lineup left those die-hard fans angry at the Japanese performance car gods for softening the WRX virtually beyond recognition. The 2009 Subaru Impreza should assuage their concerns, as the WRX model is back to its rip-snorting self, and the base Impreza continues to be an intriguing alternative to the compact-car status quo."

While auto critics favor the high-performance WRX STI on the track, most agree that the base WRX is got what it takes to leave thrill-seekers impressed. For 2009, the WRX features more power, new suspension tuning, and -- unlike last year's people-friendly model -- no automatic transmission. "The only bad thing about the updates to the 2009 WRX is that it makes anyone who bought a 2008 model look incredibly foolish," writes Car and Driver.

The Impreza WRX and WRX STI are performance-tuned variants of the popular Subaru Impreza. They are available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles.

• "While we hope to eventually see the 265-hp engine available with an automatic (and better yet, a dual-clutch gearbox like Mitsubishi offers), Subaru's new rides are still rugged, capable cars that provide a great deal of driving enjoyment." -- Popular Mechanics
• "The WRX and WRX STi have developed an almost cultlike following over the past few years because of their ability to accelerate hard and feel composed when tackling high-speed turns. Unless ultimate performance is your goal, the WRX is the more practical choice because it costs $9,000 less than the STi and it's rarely possible to use the STi's extra power on the street." -- Kansas City Star
• "Getting it right in the car business is no easy thing. Cars are emotional. Emotions vary with externalities. And externalities -- fuel pricing and availability, driving climate, credit conditions and government regulations -- are wildly variable. Making the right car for the right customer at the right price -- the price at which that customer will buy and feel good about buying -- is, thus, something of a magic trick. In the case of its 2009 Impreza WRX sedan with navigation, Subaru is to be congratulated for pulling one off." -- Washington Post

The Bottom Line

The WRX is engineered for folks who like to speed, cut corners with ease, and take on the occasional street race challenge. Shoppers in the market for a commuter car with sporty appeal are better served driving a Civic Si.

After a brief performance scare in '08, the 2009 WRX is back to its original bad-boy self -- featuring a turbocharged engine that produces 265-horses in the WRX and 305-horses in the track-tuned WRX STI. Combined with an all-wheel drive-train and performance tuned suspension settings, the WRX is a force to be reckoned with. And while it's true that the STI features performance technology not equipped on the base WRX, it's roughly $10K more and slightly slower. So, unless you're a track rat, there's really no point in forking over the extra dough.

Before buying a WRX, be sure to test drive the Lancer Evolution. Like the WRX, the Evo features a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and performance-tuning. It's even built a cult-like following for its proven success in the rally racing circuit. It is, however, slightly slower than the WRX, but test drivers argue it's just as competent of a handler.

Performance Dynamics

Test drivers praise the WRX for its powerful engine and thrilling handling dynamics. While most find the WRX STI better suited for high-performance driving, the WRX still impresses with its quick acceleration -- which, interestingly, bests the STI.

The Impreza WRX features a 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged four-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine that generates 265-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 244 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. While the WRX STI trim comes equipped with the same engine, it produces considerably more power -- 305-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 290 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The WRX and WRX STI Imprezas are mated to a fully synchronized five-speed manual transmission and close-ration six-speed manual transmission, respectively.

Unique to the STI is Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), a system that enables drivers to choose from three vehicle performance modes that regulate its engine control unit (ECU) and fine-tune its electronically controlled throttle.

According to Subaru, the WRX and STI net a city/highway fuel economy of 25/18 mpg and 23/17, respectively.

Both the WRX and WRX STI come equipped with an engine-speed-sensing variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Both vehicles' suspension systems are performance-tuned and independent. Subaru, however, claims that the STI is tuned especially for high-performance driving. All trims feature anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, though the STI adds a Brembo performance braking system, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and a Traction Control System (TCS) to the mix.

All WRX models employ Subaru's Continuous All-Wheel Drive system, which defaults to a 50/50-split front-to-rear torque distribution. In the event that wheel speed differs between the front and rear axels, Subaru's all-wheel drive system will distribute more power to the wheels holding the most traction. The STI's all-wheel drive system slightly differs in that it has a Driver Controlled Center Differential DCCD), which analyzes vehicle inputs to determine optimal torque distribution.

• "From behind the wheel, the new engine's manic pull to redline feels nothing like last year's asthmatic lump. Whereas that engine fell on its face suddenly over 5500 rpm, the new engine pulls hard right to its 6400-rpm fuel-cut, STI-style. The difference is monumental - the new engine makes more than 70 hp and 60 lb-ft of torque more than the old one at redline. Although its power peak is well short of the STI's 305 hp, the WRX weighs some 220 pounds less than the STI, and it feels almost as quick." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Torque is up to 244 pound-feet, an increase of 18 that comes at a relatively lofty 4000 revs, but there's plenty of grunt starting at 2500 rpm. And when we say "plenty," we mean it: the revised WRX now blasts to 60 mph from a standstill in an electrifying 4.7 seconds. That's 1.1 seconds quicker than the 2008 model-and get this-0.3 second quicker than we've managed in a WRX STI, the supposedly higher-performance version of the WRX." -- Car and Driver
• "A few laps at a road course with a high-speed lane change and a slalom section revealed the WRX's tenacious grip. But close to the limit it has a tendency to understeer. Turn-in isn't nearly as crisp as the STi's, but the WRX's overall handling characteristics are still impressive for a family-hauling sedan. And let's be honest, if it was as good as the STi, why would that car even exist?" -- Popular Mechanics
• "The WRX has always been a great-handling car because of its all-wheel drive that distributes drive torque equally to the front and rear wheels. If the front or rear wheels slip, the center differential compensates by sending more power to the wheels with the most traction." -- Kansas City Star
• "The 310-mile run here from my house in Northern Virginia was a total joy, even with the complication of intermittent snow and ice on mountain roads. The all-wheel-drive system in the Impreza WRX handled the mess with ease. Straightaway runs on dry roads were nothing short of exhilarating." -- Washington Post