2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
A Jekyll-and-Hyde STi
I quite like a hatchback, but tend to think of them as fly-weight urban runabouts, rather than rally-inspired heavy-hitters, so when the vehicle became five-door hatchback only last year, I was disappointed. What once looked super bad now looked sorta cute, and cute was not what I was anticipating from the STI.
A week in one cleared up any such misgivings. I still much prefer the old body style, but there is not much else "cute" about it.
Although the name's the same, don't mistake the WRX STI for an Impreza — they share an architecture, and not much else. The STI gets its own engine, transmission, all-wheel-drive system, stability control, suspension, brakes and interior appointments (although a couple of those are from the Impreza, too).
In addition to the body style change, the third-generation STI for 2008 gets a more potent (up by 12 hp to 305) version of the 2.5-litre intercooled turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine used before. Torque remains the same (290 lb.-ft.) but it peaks sooner – at 4,000 rpm versus 4,400. Offering more boost than the standard WRX, the STI also uses a drive-by-wire electronic throttle control system that also helps reduce fuel consumption.
The vehicle's rallying intentions are discernable in its power curve, particularly in "Intelligent" mode; it has a short first gear and isn't really blistering off the hop — the real power comes a bit later, which would seem to make sense if it were more important to you to get power out of the corners than away from a stop light. Subaru's Intelligent Drive allows you to choose one of three driving modes — Intelligent, Sport or Sport Sharp — via a dial on the centre stack. I stuck mostly to Intelligent's more relaxed setting.
Sport offers quicker throttle response, while Sport Sharp makes an even bigger difference to immediate throttle response. This would definitely be the setting of choice for a lot of STI fans, but I've discovered that, while it did impress me, such a setting didn't suit my city-bound purposes as well as the gentler Intelligent.
I've been increasingly realizing lately that I have become "of an age," and comfort and convenience are becoming more important than white-knuckle excitement. Here, the STI surprised me. It's a civilized city dweller as well as a rally-ready hot-hatch. Its unpretentious engine growl doesn't call undue attention to itself, and its comfortable ride is smoother than I anticipated. (It's also got a good backseat.)
The all-wheel-drive system found in the STI is dubbed Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD), which is exclusive to the STI. It allows drivers to select one of four modes: Auto, Auto (-), Auto (+) and Manual. The Auto (-) is new, and shifts torque bias (typically 41:59, front:rear) toward the rear and opens up the centre limited-slip differential. The Auto (+) setting tightens up the limited slip; in addition, there are six manual differential locking settings. This served to remind me that I am also getting lazy, so I stuck mostly to Auto mode, which offers a good all-around option for most drivers in most settings, and suited me fine. It varies the front/rear torque distribution automatically according to conditions and driver input.
The driver can also control the level of intervention coming via the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system: Normal, Traction (for less ABS engagement) and Off.
It all means the car's dynamics are so customizable, you really could rally in it, then drive your grandmother home in the snow.
It manages to offer admirable grip with a minimum of understeer, and should that become a problem, the Brembo brakes are up to just about any task, with four-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers with slightly smaller rotors at the back. Those and the gold rims on my tester made the wheels one of the sexier parts of the car.
Inside, it proves again its viability as a daily driver with comfortable bucket seats (with gorgeous suede inserts), well-placed controls that are mostly easy to manage, and easily read dials. The sound system, by contrast, was awful. Not only did it not have a place to put an aux cable (hello? 2008?) but the radio was just plain weird. I had to put the volume up to its maximum of 40 to try to hear the CBC and still couldn't hear it except at low speeds. (What? You're saying most STI drivers aren't that interested in CBC Radio? Hey, its buyers are getting older, you know!)
The nav system was fine, if a bit complicated to, well, navigate. The touchscreen interface I liked, though.
My only other substantial complaint can be chalked up to taste — I dislike a predominance of red lighting, the STI at night appears unrelentingly angry as hell. At least, all that red should be mitigated by a blue dial or a white light somewhere, but no, it's red all the way.
Aside from that, the STI for 2008 is perhaps a kinder, gentler version, but there's no question it's still got what it takes to attack a rally course or a city boulevard with equal aplomb.
Summary:
Strong Points
Weak Points
- - fun to drive and performs nicely
- - more well mannered than expected
- - well-rounded vehicle
- - looks less fierce than it is
- - expensive coming and going
- - too much dang red
Editors Rating:
Latest News
-
1.
-
2.
-
3.
-
4.
-
5.
-
6.
-
7.
-
8.
-
9.
-
10.