Review: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Review: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Bottom Line:

The 2009 WRX is a wholly different animal compared to the new model introduced just one year ago. More turbo power and a refined suspension should help it compete against the latest Lancer derivatives.

Pros:

• Fat turbo-torque powerband
• Responsive handling, civil ride quality
• Sedan or hot hatch, you decide

Cons:

• Seats are a step backwards
• Long shift throws
• Where are the bulging fenders?

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If you're considering buying or about to pull the trigger on a 2008 WRX, stop the presses. If you have one of the all-new-for-2008 editions already in your garage, please accept our condolences. Barely a year into the latest WRX cycle, Subaru has rebooted the all-wheel-drive performance icon by adding 41 ponies under the hood, a sportier suspension and some STI body armor to the 2009 edition.

Model Lineup
The WRX, a high-performance, rally-inspired version of the compact Impreza, is offered as both a sedan and a five-door hatchback. For 2009 Subaru has consolidated some of its option packages and expanded its list of standard equipment.

The Exterior Aero Package, formerly part of the Premium Package, is now standard on both versions of the WRX. The package features a three-piece body kit (lip spoiler and two side skirts), an STI grille with WRX badging, and a new exhaust tip on the sedan. Five-doors get a rear duck-bill-style spoiler from the STI, while sedans get a revised rear deck spoiler.

All WRXs stomp on the terra with a bigger contact patch, thanks to larger 225/45 Dunlop SP Sport tires and 17x7-inch gray-hued alloy wheels. Subaru's Premium Package for the WRX now includes a power sunroof.

Under the Hood
The horsepower wars have been unkind to the WRX, which has put out 224 ponies since its introduction in the U.S. in 2002. The MAZDASPEED3 checks in with 263, the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 pumps out 285, and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS is rated at 260. The WRX's biggest contender will be Mitsubishi's Ralliart, a de-tuned version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo with a more WRX-like price tag and 237 horsepower. The arrival of the Ralliart probably played the largest role in Subaru's 2009 WRX revisions.

This power infusion puts the WRX right back in the thick of it. Subaru added an STI-sized turbo and revised intercooler to its stout 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. With 13.3 psi of turbo boost, the WRX now produces 265 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 244 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm. A larger diameter exhaust system and higher flowing catalytic converter are said to cut backpressure by 30 percent compared to the 224-horse engine. An updated and reprogrammed ECU runs the show.

The 2009 WRX is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. Those that want an auto can check out the 2009 Impreza 2.5GT model that has a standard automatic transmission and is powered by the old 224-horse WRX engine.

Inner Space
The WRX has a racier interior compared to standard-issue Imprezas. Exclusive carbon-black checkered upholstery with contrasting red stitching and the WRX logo set the tone. The bucket seats offer ample side bolstering but the bottoms are flat and a touch unsympathetic on longer stretches of driving.

The 2008 redesign elongated the Impreza's wheelbase and the extra inches translate into more interior room. The WRX makes good use of the real estate with a lot of hip and legroom and numerous storage nooks. The five-door's rear seats can be folded flat, opening up 44.6 cubic feet of cargo domain. All WRXs feature 60/40 split-folding seats to enhance hauling capability.

The sporty nature of the interior is evident in the red-stitched, leather wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals and the use of brushed-aluminum-looking plastic trim. The main cluster features electroluminescent gauges with needles that sweep and flash at startup — something Subaru relates to the car's heartbeat.

On the Road
The truth is the car's heartbeat can be felt best when jumping on the loud pedal, as it is immediately evident that the '09 WRX has more ponies in its corral. The 41 extra horsepower adds a vibrant exclamation point to the WRX driving experience that was not there before. The gear throws are a tad long, but once we dialed in to the clutch the WRX was keen to boost all the way to its 6500-rpm redline. Thanks to the WRX's tall, flat torque curve, rolling into the throttle at speed was a most-satisfying maneuver.

As our endorphin levels stabilized and the road began to waver, the WRX flexed it suspension with a similar brow-raising surprise. The 2009 edition features stiffer springs, thicker sway bars and more responsive shock damping, and it shows. Crisp is the best way to describe the car's handling as we put the car to task on challenging roads, an autocross section and a simulated rally stage.

Turn-in was quick, and the car stable and quite predictable, especially when we swung way off line and plowed some innocent cones. Control was never in question, and the feedback was so clear it's as if the chassis was whispering in our ears. Switch to commuter mode and the ride is calm and compliant, making the new tuning win-win.

Right for You?
WRX enthusiast Web sites are afire with disgruntled 2008 owners who missed the boat and find themselves 41 horses behind the 8- ball. But Subaru made the right move in the nick of time as the WRX's main competition drops into its price range.

More than a bump in boost, the '09 WRX has improved on many fronts. Significant suspension updates, styling refinements and key equipment changes create a car that is discernibly better on the road and more of a value in the wallet. Subaru is pricing the 2009 WRX at $24,995 for the sedan and $25,495 for the five-door hatch.

Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compact tuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.

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