2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door review notes

I had this 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX for the weekend, and I was surprised by how little I missed our long-term 2011 Impreza WRX STI version. This car provides almost all of the fun, without many of the drawbacks of the hard-core model.

The WRX is down 40 hp from its big brother, but in between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm you’ll hardly notice. It makes the same sounds as the STI and rips off the line with the same aplomb. Unfortunately, fuel mileage didn’t seem to improve; my two fill ups averaged about 19 mpg.

I did like the feel of an old-school five-speed manual in the hatchback, instead of the six in our sedan. The cogs could be held for a bit longer, and there are no extra steps to get into reverse. Like the STI, the driver doesn’t need to shift out of top gear to pass on the expressway. Also, the shifter felt robust in the hand. There wasn’t a lot of flexing from any of the linkage parts.

The steering and suspension are both softer than the STI. I put a good amount of miles on the car over the weekend, and not having to dodge every road imperfection was a blessing. I didn’t realize how stiff our long-term car actually was until I jumped in this one.

Ninety percent of the time, having a softer suspension and easier steering are a good thing. But those few times when you do want the razor sharpness of the STI you’ll miss it. Luckily for me, spirited driving wasn’t needed on Saturday or Sunday.

I still like the sedan body better than this hatch. I like the big wing on the four-door, something I wouldn’t trade for the extra space of the hatch. I might be alone in that. I also love this gunmetal color much better than the WR blue.

So, the upgraded STI gets you more power, upgraded brakes and the driver-controlled center differential. If you’re looking for a track car, that’s the one to have. But if you want a car that’s good everywhere, except when being pushed to 10/10ths, the WRX will do. And being $8,000 less expensive doesn’t hurt, either.

Courtesy of Auto Week