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Impreza WRX: all-new, more livable for 2008

Published 11:21 am Friday, November 30, 2007

Subaru has created an all-new version of its Impreza WRX performance compact sedan for 2008, maintaining the virtues of the existing powerplant but molding a vehicle more conducive to everyday use.

The previous model was all go and no show — quick and taut but with scant amenities and a puny interior.

For 2008 the wheelbase has been extended by 3.7 inches and the car is 4.5 inches longer overall. These increases give the WRX a more refined ride, a nice big trunk and a much roomier passenger cabin. I was amazed to see that with the driver’s seat positioned back far enough for my long legs, I could sit in the rear seat and still have lots of leg room there, too.

Ride comfort has been boosted by the addition of high-tension steel at key structural points, placement of the engine lower in the chassis (lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity) a stiffer chassis, and double-wishbone rear suspension. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) have been reduced — mainly vibration and harshness, because the cabin still reverberates with road noise.

In addition to being roomier, the cabin has a more upscale look, and higher-quality materials. More attention to utility is evident in all the useful stowage spaces, and I found the driver’s seat eminently comfortable — once I got its manual seatback adjusted just right.

The 2.5-liter boxer engine still generates 224 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque, but weighs 50 pounds less, and has been modified to produce more torque at lower rpm. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic with Sportshift is optional. Incline Start Assist, also known as a godsend, is standard on the five-speed. When stopped on steep inclines, it momentarily keeps the car in place so it doesn’t roll backward while the driver is getting first gear engaged.

The EPA fuel economy ratings are 19 mpg city, 24 highway with a manual transmission, and 20/25 with an automatic. These numbers were calculated using 2008 standards, so they look lower than last year’s, but in fact for 2008 the Impreza WRX’s fuel economy is improved.

Subaru’s esteemed all-wheel-drive is standard on every model (there are sedan and five-door versions). For 2008, Vehicle Dynamics Control and brake assist are thrown in, as are side curtain airbags.

A new Premium Package is available, featuring such items as an upgraded sound system (10 speakers, six-disc in-dash CD changer, surround sound) heated front seats, auxiliary audio input jack, projector beam fog lights, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, front and rear spoilers, and side ground-effects molding.

My tester was a sedan equipped with the manual transmission, the Premium Package, an optional navigation system and Sirius satellite radio. The integrated navigation and audio control system isn’t intuitive enough by my standards. I had to resort to the owner’s manual just for bass-treble adjustment, and the screen insisted on displaying information I didn’t want.

For a tech-crazy person with some patience and less brain plaque, however, maybe the system would seem perfectly simple and cooperative.

The 2008 Impreza WRX is much different looking (I like it a lot), and more civilized and practical than the old version. The old one had hordes of fans, many of whom will snort at the new model, and its higher price. But they’ll all be wild young single guys or would-be wild young single guys, and what does that tell you?

Keeping the performance qualities of the old Impreza WRX but making it more livable was smart thinking on Subaru’s part.