The Subaru Impreza is the oft-forgotten option when looking at buying a compact sedan. The appeal of the more prevalent German brands means that the tried and tested recipe that is the Subaru Impreza often goes overlooked. Al one needs to do is spend some time with an owner to understand why the Impreza has been around as long as it has - it's a great car to live with!
Related: Subaru WRX ES Premium review: Split personality in a sedan body
Motorsport fans will know that if there's an Impreza to have, it's the WRX. Listed as a separate model to the Impreza (but still sharing the same platform and many of the mechanicals), the WRX is for the consumer who wants a little more punch from their purchase. Competing against the likes of the Audi S3 sedan, BMW M235 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-AMG A35 sedan, the WRX is able to hold its own and then some.
Here are three reasons why we think the Subaru WRX stands out from the competition.
1. Safety
Not only does the Subaru WRX score a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, but it's packed to the hilt with driver assistance and safety systems. Their pride is the EyeSight system that employs a stereoscopic camera system to help mitigate collisions. The latest WRX is fitted with EyeSight 3.0 and integrates with other driver systems such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, Lane Sway Warning and Lane Departure Assist.
It is worth noting that this system is fitted to the WRX models that are equipped with the CVT gearbox but the manual versions also feature safety systems such as Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and several others.
2. Symmetrical full-time all-wheel-drive
Long the value proposition, the trademarked Subaru Symmetrical AWD offers exemplary road manners and grip levels for the WRX. By employing a symmetrical design, the WRX is able to offer astounding balance and a low centre of gravity, improving its handling characteristics without encroaching on interior space.
Manual versions use a viscous coupling to transfer the power forwards and backwards automatically, depending on the driving situation and road surfaces. The CVT models use a Variable Torque Distribution system that splits the power 45:55 in most instances and allows for additional biasing when situations require.
3. Rally-inspired performance
The WRX wouldn't be the capable machine that it is today without years and years of motorsport development. When the Impreza relaced the Legacy in the WRC in 1993 with the Impreza, they knew that they were onto something and the Impreza won on its first outing. Since then, Subaru has worked tirelessly to improve the performance and durability of the Impreza WRX.
The current model still employs the same, tried and tested recipe of a 2.0-litre, flat 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with twin-scroll turbo technology to yield 197 kW and 350 Nm torque. Mated to the 6-speed manual gearbox, the WRX is will sprint to 100 km/h in only 6-seconds.
