Subaru Imprezza 2004

The Subaru Impreza line-up ranges from sporty to outrageous to practical. The practical and innovative Outback Sport remains, but the cheap, value-oriented models are long gone.

The Impreza 2.5 RS is at the sporty end of the spectrum. The 2.5 RS is an affordable sports sedan, fun to drive hard with stable handling and a growling boxer engine. The RS is comparable to other sporty compact sedans, though its brilliant all-wheel-drive system adds to its price. The Impreza TS Sport Wagon combines the practicality of a wagon with the sporty driving experience of the RS.

The best-selling Impreza, however, is the outrageous WRX. Japanese manufacturers have, until recently, been understanably reluctant to offer so-called homologation specials because rallying was about as popular in America as cricket. That's all changed now, perhaps due to rally-based video games or coverage of World Rally Championship events on the Speed channel.

Even more outrageous and into certifiable territory is the WRX STi.

On the practical side is the Impreza Outback Sport. Powered by the sporty 2.5 RS engine, the Outback Sport features a raised suspension for driving on unpaved roads. Its cargo area is trimmed to offer the utility of a small SUV. Rugged-looking design cues add an outdoorsy look. Outback Sport is very practical yet fun to drive.

Model Lineup

The Subaru Impreza model lineup includes the Outback Sport wagon, the 2.5 RS sedan and 2.5 TS sport wagon , the WRX sedan and WRX wagon , and the limited-production WRX STi. All models come with all-wheel drive.

Impreza RS, TS wagon , and Outback Sport are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 165 horsepower.

WRX models are powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine that generates 227 horsepower. The WRX STi comes with a 300-horsepower turbo/intercooled 2.5-liter engine.

Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are available on all models but the STi.

The STi has no factory options, though ground effects moldings, a rear spoiler, and 17-inch wheels and tires will be available as dealer or port-installed options for the WRX. STi dispenses with floor mats and an audio system, but dealer-installed audio systems are available. There's a choice of silver-colored wheels or gold wheels inspired by the WRC team.

Walkaround

Subaru looked to its rally team to update the appearance of the Impreza line. For 2004, Subaru Impreza models feature a lower, more aerodynamic hood with a grille designed to admit more cooling air. Gone are the unpopular large oval headlamps. Many thought they made Imprezas look goggle-eyed, like that kid in fourth grade who was always getting beat up.

The WRX began in Japan in 1993 as a homologation special, a limited-production model built to satisfy production requirements for the World Rally Championship. Hugely popular in Europe, the WRC is a series of races run on all types of roads, often unpaved, and in all kinds of weather. Subaru's turbocharged all-wheel drive is particularly well suited to driving flat out on treacherous roads. Rally-prepared Subarus have been available in Japan and Europe for several years, but the WRX was the first to be certified for the U.S.

Large taillamps flank a trunk opening that extends down to the rear bumper. The trunklid has been carefully sculpted, a small lip added to the trailing edge. The rear bumper cap wraps all the way to the rear wheel openings and is contoured for a sporting effect.

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Interior Features

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is a serious performance machine and a driver sliding behind the steering wheel will immediately sense this. Most obvious are the rally-style front seats, with large side bolsters intended to keep driver and passenger in place during hard cornering. Just about everyone should be able to get comfortable in the WRX, which has tilt wheel and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The pedals are sporty-looking aluminum alloy with rubber grips.

The rear seat is roomy for a subcompact. The curve of the C-pillar means you'll need mind your head when getting in, but toe room under the front seats and reasonable headroom for anyone under six feet means an endurable ride for most adults.

Driving Impressions

No matter the model, the Subaru Impreza is extremely stable. All-wheel drive eliminates any hint of torque steer under hard acceleration.

Subaru Impreza RS, TS, and Outback Sport are powered by a 165-horsepower naturally aspirated horizontally opposed four-cylinder. WRX comes with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine that generates 227 horsepower, strong motivation to a 3100-pound car. WRX STi nails the needle to the peg with 300 hp from a 2.5-liter turbo and intercooled engine.

Four different types of all-wheel drive are used. Models with manual transmissions use a locking viscous center differential, while those automatic transmissions have Subaru's electronically controlled Variable Torque Distribution AWD. The WRX STi is equipped with a special heavy-duty six-speed manual gearbox and a driver-controlled center differential.

When the WRX was new, we called it "an absolute hoot to drive." But there's nothing like a generous dollop of horsepower in a compact chassis to twist the excitement dial over to the right and, with 300 horsepower, the STi boasts a power-to-weight ratio that humbles expensive sports cars and sports sedans.

There's a tense feel to this engine even at part throttle, like it's ready to run. The heavy-duty gears in the transmission, exclusive to the STi, whine faintly, something Subaru didn't try to hide. Drive it over 3000 rpm and the turbo boost starts to rise, even with the gas pedal well off the floor, and the engine wants to surge the car forwards. The STi yearns to run. Slam the pedal to the floor and the STi grips and goes. The engine is louder than the WRX's but never gets raucous. It definitely does sound like a very serious Subaru.

The WRX engine reaches its power peak at 6000 rpm and is redlined at 7000 rpm; maximum torque comes at 4000 rpm. Knowing how quickly this engine can rev to redline, Subaru has a buzzer that can be set to alert the driver to shift before the engine bumps up against its rev limiter. Gear ratios on the six-speed manual gearbox are well matched to the engine's torque curve, with second gear good to the high side of 60 mph. The shifter is quick and accurate and the transmission always willing to go to the next gear.

With its nominal rearward torque bias, the STi's suspension has been tuned to provide minimal understeer. Its turn-in, a racer's term for how well the car responds to steering wheel input at the start of a turn, is crisp. In transients, the shift of weight from one side to the other in S-curves, the STi is smooth and well controlled. The WRX STi has inverted MacPherson struts, with the damper body on top rather than on bottom, which allows a stiffer strut for better camber control and more accurate steering.

With the grip of all-wheel drive and its big and sticky tires, the STi launches from corners. Braking is like throwing out the anchor, thanks to the race-ready Brembo disc brakes at all four wheels, plus four-channel ABS that actuates the brakes of each wheel independently (most four-channel systems read all four wheel separately, but apply ABS to both of the rear wheels together). The brakes, no matter how hard you use them, are absolutely fade proof, even on the racetrack. Subaru has learned the hard lessons of world-class rallying well.

Around town, the STi's ride quality is extra firm. The short 100-inch wheelbase and sports suspension make a luxurious ride impossible. Buyers wanting a boulevard ride ought best look elsewhere, which no doubt they will. Textured pavement generates noticeable road noise in the cabin, but while the WRX never felt harsh, the STi is not for the faint of heart.

We've driven the WRX over rough roads, the kind they use for special stages in rallies. We beat the WRX like a living room rug over a clothesline and it never shook or shuddered, much less fell apart like it should have done. We came away impressed, not only that the Impreza wasn't shedding parts, but also that it felt as solid as chunk of concrete. That boded well for the long-term durability of all the Impreza models, which are built on the same solid chassis.

The Sti, on the other hand, is not designed to be driven on gravel stages because of its low ride height. Therefore, rally competitors gravitate to the 227-hp WRX instead.

All of the Impreza models are firmly packed with technology, so they weigh a little more than other subcompacts. According to Subaru, the all-wheel drive, the fully independent suspension, the chassis, and the turbo have all been put on a gram-by-gram diet. The chassis was made as light as possible, with competition in mind, using tailor-welded blanks (essentially, thicker metal only where it's needed). The STi even has a lightweight glass rear window. Still, though the STi weighs in at over 3000 pounds, it has a power-to-weight ratio rivaling the V8-powered 2004 Audi S4.

The Impreza 2.5 RS can be considered WRX Lite. With 165 horsepower and, just as important, 166 foot-pounds of torque on tap, it will suck the headlamps from the 120-horsepower Mitsubishi Lancer OZ, the 130-horsepower Mazda Protege, and the Ford Focus ZX3. More potent competitors include the 160-horsepower Acura RSX and the 180-horsepower Volkswagen GTI 1.8T. While the Subaru benefits from all-wheel drive, these other cars muddle through with front-wheel drive. Best of all, the RS comes with the same spirit as the WRX, only with a few ponies less for more affordability.

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Summary

Subaru is selling its WRX models as quickly as it can make them. Subaru only plans to make about 300 STi models a month, however. The good news is that it's still a tremendous performance car bargain, and it will make the standard WRX easier to get for everyone else.

Subaru says the usual demographic analysis doesn't fit the WRX. Instead they're looking at psychographics, which means that if you want a car like this, you want this car, regardless of your age, gender or income level: If you have to ask why, you won't understand the answer. The STi will trump that in spades. We see the WRX appealing to enthusiasts who aren't necessarily eager to impress the neighbors but do enjoy driving a very capable automobile. Certainly there's nothing like it on the market today. The line forms to the right, just behind me.