2010 Subaru WRX Review

By J.P. Vettraino of NewCarTestDrive.com

The Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI are engaging, appealing cars, and almost unique in the marketplace. They are fast and fun to drive yet practical. Based on the Impreza compact, they are economical to operate (given their performance) and, more than ever, they make excellent cars for commuters who like a little spice in their daily drive.

A new 2010 STI Special Edition is aimed at those willing to trade a few amenities for more handling performance. The suspension is adopted from the Japanese market STI spec C, which adds a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear sub-frame bushings plus upgraded springs. The front springs are 16-percent stiffer, while the rear springs have been stiffened by 29 percent.

Despite their racy appearance and serious performance, the WRX is quite refined. The current WRX models are smoother and more comfortable than pre-2008 versions, and easy to live with during the typical commute. Their cabins are roomier than previous versions, with an overall improvement in appointments and finish quality. They’re offered with high-grade audio and an optional navigation system.

The WRX and STI have achieved cult status among driving enthusiasts and boy racers, but more than ever that image is too narrow and confining. These cars have decent room in the back seat and good cargo capacity. Their all-wheel-drive system can legitimately be considered a safety and foul-weather advantage, even if, with the powerful, turbocharged engines in the WRX, it’s marketed as a performance enhancement, a role it also fills.

These are drivers cars. They aren’t available with automatics and leather upholstery is not an option. Yet buyers seeking a smaller car with lots of safety features should like the WRX. All-wheel drive comes standard. All models come with Vehicle Dynamics Control and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution. The WRX gets excellent ratings in crash tests.

At about $25,000, the WRX models come well equipped, with nice seats in carbon black checkered accented by red stitching, automatic climate control, a good stereo and more horsepower than all but a couple cars in this size/price class. Both are powered by a 2.5-liter, 265-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, arranged in Subaru’s familiar horizontally opposed, or flat-four, configuration. The WRX offers a bang for the buck that surpasses many more expensive sports sedans.

The STI version is essentially its own car, and available only as a hatchback. STi stands for Subaru Technica International, the high-performance division that made the WRX famous through considerable success in the World Rally Championship. Nearly every major mechanical system is unique to the STI: six-speed manual transmission, special suspension and brakes, unique interior appointments and a high-tech, manually adjustable all-wheel-drive system. Yet the STi’s centerpiece is a higher-tech, higher-boost version of the 2.5-liter four, generating 305 horsepowerThe Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi are fun, fast and well built, with standard all-wheel drive and overall performance that’s rare in their class. They’re also practical, with decent room in the back seat and good cargo capacity, and they’ve achieve excellent scores in NHTSA crash tests. Recent refinements haven’t significantly diluted the character and enthusiasm that have made the WRX so appealing over the years, but they have raised the bar on comfort and quality. The WRXs cost more than many cars of comparable size, and they give up some fuel economy for the performance, but those who appreciate this car’s strengths probably won’t mind.