The perfect combination of horsepower and style, Subaru WRX
Every so often we come across a test drive that can make both of us happy, because it can seemingly transform into different cars to suit our individual moods, and so it was with the newest 4th generation of the Subaru offshoot of the ever popular Impreza , or what is now known as the WRX. A vehicle that we would be completely comfortable driving to work as an everyday commuter, spending a black tie night out on the town with friends, taking Deanne and her friends shopping, or most important to having a day at the track.
So it was with the new WRX that proved to be completely comfortable wearing any of these different transformations, for whichever one of us happened to be driving that day, letting our mood dictate the adventure that awaited us.
The WRX comes with a 2.0 liter Subaru Boxer direct injected four-cylinder engine which of itself is designed in a very unique way with the pistons working in a horizontal position- two on each side of the engine. In this design engine vibration is kept to a minimum with each side opposing the other canceling out vibration in a natural way.
This also helps the engine to run smother and more efficiently and allows for the maximum transfer of power to the wheels, and with the included twin-scroll turbocharger output on, the WRX reaches 268 horsepower and 258 ft.-lb. of torque. In the end this makes for a very fun car to drive no matter what ones style of driving is, we found ourselves looking forward to each day planning places to go just to have some extra time with our new found friend…. the WRX.
Of course with all that power, the folks at Subaru have included other additions that will be necessary to keep the diver completely engaged with the road. The steering has been improved with a an electronic system that reacts to changes in the steering wheel in as little as 100 milliseconds, allowing for precise control of cornering lines be in heading up the canyon or a day on the tract, the WRX is more than up for it.
It wouldn’t be complete without a track tuned high performance suspension and high performance summer tires that give the WRX an overabundance of grip whenever it is needed. Now add all wheel drive to the mix what more could we ask for it will even perform very well it he snow if needed. There is one small downside to this type of tires, they will wear out faster and they can tend to be pricy, ah a small price to pay for fun!
There are two different transmissions available in the WRX a 6 speed manual or what Subaru calls the Sport Lineartronic Transmission that can be set in a 6 or 8 speed manual modes with paddle shifters. Our test ride came with the manual which makes the car that much more fun to drive, and with the right mojo can rocket the WRX to 60 in right around 5 seconds. Either way the WRX will captivate a driver getting his full attention for the entire ride.
The WRX Premium that we drove also comes standard with a moonroof giving a more open feel to the interior. The large wing on the rear deck that comes standard on ever more powerful STI version was absent on our test ride, giving us a more adult feel when driving. We understand how the youthful wing adds to the racing stance of the vehicle, but were happy our ride didn’t have it, at our age sometimes it’s good not to stand out.
On the gas mileage side of things the WRX is rated to do pretty well at 20 city and 27 highway with a 23 mpg combined number. We however got right around 22 mpg, realizing that Craig had a heavy foot pretty much every time he got in the Subaru! We would think that after the newness wore off that the EPA numbers would be more likely.
Inside the new design did not disappoint us at, with 3 different screens to keep track of different vehicle functions and a nicely designed racing inspired electroluminescent gauges, one is never at a loss to know exactly what is going in with the WRX. With the newly redesigned Subaru a touchscreen is included and gives a sleek classy look to the center dash. This new infotainment system is a huge step forward for the manufacture that had lacked in this department in previous years.
Subaru Starlink is also standard in the WRX adding an additional level of safety and peace of mind to the drive. This system functions much like the GM OnStar system, allowing for the addition of many different apps to the vehicles like Iheart radio, Pandora, Yelp and many others. There is also a mobile app that can find one vehicle in a large parking lot, lock and unlock doors, remotely start and diagnose problems. This is a great feature we have enjoyed on any of our GM test rides, and did again now that Subaru has a similar technology.
The only upgrade to the WRX was the addition of Navigation, that also upgraded the stereo to a 440 watt Harmon/Kardon premium sound system. It was great, and if using the vehicle to travel, it would be an exceptional addition.
One thing we really liked about the WRX was how easy it was to get in and out of, unlike having a lower to the ground sports car that can challenge us when getting in and out, with the WRX we were more at ease with this process and it still gave Craig everything he needed to supply his addiction to a speedy car.
Inside there was ample space for 4 adults, even on a longer drive, the seats were leather clad and heated of course, there was a an automatic climate control to keep us warm and comfy, push button keyless start and entry of course.
Voice commands worked well and would control our phones after hooking them up through the Bluetooth connection. Controlling the navigation was also easy with voice commands, something that makes getting around in unfamiliar territory much easier.
The WRX really has something for everyone and will be enjoyed by the entire family. For excitement and a great ride, check out the newest version of Subaru’s sporty 4 door at Doug Smith Subaru in American Fork at 523 West Main, 801-492-1110.
Base Price: $28,895
Price Driven: $32,855
