Directions for fun in a WRX: Tape handbrake release. Disconnect ABS. Find gravel road. Lose inhibitions.
We often follow these directions with our long-term WRX project car--perhaps the most highly anticipated car we've ever had in our fleet, and the only one that regularly sees gravel. There's little that hasn't been written about the WRX in this journal and finding new ways to describe its practicality, speed and fun factor is becoming a challenge.
In the year since the WRX was last recognized as one of our Eight Great Rides, nothing is new about the car--mechanically at least. Plenty, however, has changed about our perception of it.
Since last year's award, we've spent hundreds of quality hours tearing up the gravel roads of California and Arizona in Subaru's wondercar. Our time behind the wheel has led us to two conclusions. First, there's not another car out there that can compete with the WRX's split personality. It's this car's ability to be docile and easy to drive on the street coupled with its all-weather, any-road prowess which makes it so easy to love. Second, there's nothing else out there that can hang with the WRX for the money. While it isn't the quickest car through the slalom or the sharpest on the skidpad, these numbers belie its true character when driven to the limit.
The WRX is deceptively fast in the real world. Charge up a mountain road or down a gravel pass and you'll quickly realize the car's true worth. The WRX's stiff chassis packs loads of suspension travel and fair ground clearance--both very non-traditional sports car attributes, which add to its broad appeal. In addition, the WRX has the only turbocharged engine in this year's Eight Great Rides. It's also the most powerful.
Coincidence? We don't think so. The WRX's mild 2.0-liter turbo and all-wheel drive combine to trounce every other car in this market in zero to 60 and quarter-mile acceleration.
We've called the engine mild from the factory only because it has huge power potential with aftermarket goodies. Our testing has shown a turbo upgrade and more boost easily puts the WRX into the low 13-second quarter-mile range--practically supercar territory for a relatively small total investment.
And you can still drive it like a madman in the dirt. With the absence of the Integra Type R this model year, the WRX is the unchallenged king of small car performance. And, until Mitsubishi shows us a real Lancer, it looks like the WRX will remain on the throne. Rumors abound about the addition of a WRX STi to Subaru's U.S. model line and with any luck, the STi will be available by the time next year's Eight Great Rides rolls around. Until then, all hail the WRX.