Subaru's turbocharged hatchback and sedan are bigger, better

By Mark Maynard
WHEELS EDITOR

September 15, 2007

Hell froze over at Subaru. It abandoned its stubbornly independent stance of using frameless door windows and went with the more traditional framed windows for its 2008 Impreza, including the sporty WRX and sportiest WRX STI.

MARK MAYNARD / Union-Tribune The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX features crisp lines that are reminiscent of BMW's 5-Series. It's a grown-up treatment, but the car's still a hoot to drive.

That's a big change for this company that has its own way of building cars, which includes four-cylinder “boxer” engines – with horizontally opposed cylinders – and all-wheel drive for every model.

The switch to framed windows was to increase body rigidity and decrease wind noise, which seems obvious, though I liked the light weight of the past models' convertible-style doors.

The Impreza WRX hit the sweet spot when it debuted in 2002. It had brisk, turbocharged acceleration and a price that made it nearly irresistible. But the styling was mundane. Whether sedan or hatchback, it was a shape for function and utility more so than curb appeal.

That's changed for 2008, and the price is still within reach. The 2008 models, which just went on sale, are larger with crisp lines that are reminiscent of BMW's 5-Series. It's a grown-up treatment, but the car's still a hoot to drive.

And this is the plain 224-horsepower WRX, built in the likeness of the world rally racer – not the 293-hp, WRX STI.

2008 Subaru WRX premium package Body style: compact, five-passenger, all-wheel-drive sedan Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four boxer Horsepower: 224 at 5,200 rpm Torque: 226 foot-pounds at 2,800 rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic with Sportshift manual function Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph, 5.7 seconds, by Road & Track EPA fuel economy estimates: 19 mpg city, 24 highway Trunk space: 11.3 cubic feet Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.3/43.5/52.8 inches Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 37.6/33.5/53.2 inches Length/wheelbase: 180.3/103.1 inches Curb weight: 3,142 pounds FEATURES Standard equipment includes: remote locking, air conditioning with air filter, electroluminescent gauges, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, power windows-locks-mirrors, four-speaker single CD audio system with audio jack in the front center console, 60/40 split rear seat, locking glove box, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob Premium package adds: aerodynamic front lip spoiler, side ground effect moldings and, on the sedan, a trunk spoiler; projector beam fog lights; dual-mode heated front seats, heated mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer; 100-watt, 10-speaker audio system with six-disc in-dash CD with MP3 capability Safety equipment includes: dual-stage front air bags, seat-mounted side bags, side curtain air bags CHASSIS Brakes: power-assisted four-wheel discs with 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution Steering: power-assisted rack and pinion Suspension: four-wheel independent with front struts and lower control arm, rear double wishbone with upper A-arm Tires and wheels: 205/50 17-inch all-season on alloy wheels PRICING Base: $27,095, including $645 freight Options on test car: none

Pricing starts at $25,495 for five-door hatchback and $24,995 for the four-door sedan, which includes the $645 freight charge, a five-speed manual transmission and Vehicle Dynamics Control.

A topline model with four-speed Sportshift automatic, premium package, navigation system and satellite radio is $29,095 for the sedan and $29,595 for the five-door.

But there's nothing particularly cheap or base about the entry-level model. And the larger dimensions are good all around.

The sedan is 4.5 inches longer than the previous four-door and 6.5 inches longer than the new five-door models. The door openings are larger for easier entry and exit, and the back doors open to 75 degrees. Head room is phenomenal at 40.3 inches. And the extra length also allows a more relaxed rear seatback angle and much more leg room. The trunk is small at 11.3 cubic feet, but the seatback folds for more more room.

Safety features include standard side-curtain air bags and front seat head and chest side-impact air bags. The driver's side front air bag deploys according to the driver's proximity to the steering wheel, which is measured by a sensor on the seat track. The front passenger air bag uses a sensor to detect whether the seat is occupied, and whether it's a child or adult who is strapped in. Stability control is optional.

The added size didn't seem to hurt performance. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine revs and rockets just as before, in part because of more low-end torque generated by a new intake manifold, intercooler and turbocharger. The five-speed manual gear ratios are good onrapid starts, despite a bit of turbo delay, and at highway speeds the engine is not revving at dizzying rpms. The four-speed automatic seems dated because most makers have moved on to five-and six-speeds, but Subaru has to hold some news in reserve.

Fuel mileage may seem light, but these EPA ratings reflect the new calculations, which are lowering all cars' range from the previous standard. The five-speed manual is rated 19 mpg city and 25 highway, using 91 octane, and the four-speed automatic is 20/25.

With plenty of safety, function and thrills, the WRX is an ideal package to brighten the lives of enthusiasts with family responsibilities.

 Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com

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