2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Review

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is the fastest car sold for approximately $32,000, because it's essentially a professionally modified economy car with a turbocharged 300-horsepower engine.


The STi has exotic sports car acceleration (0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds) and handling and braking of world-class sports cars costing considerably more. This Subaru is from the successful Subaru Tecnica International (STi) high performance and motorsports development division of Subaru-producer Fuji Heavy Industries, so it's been skillfully developed.


The STi is derived from Subaru's fairly light Impreza subcompact sedan, but has an oversized hood scoop and outlandish rear spoiler. They're integral to its performance but --along with gold-color wheels -- give the car a juvenile appearance. Drivers over 25 or so thus may feel out of place behind the wheel.


Some car buffs may scoff at the garish wheel color, but know the hood scoop is needed to feed the intercooler, which works with the turbocharger to give the car's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine all that power and an impressive 300 pound-feet of torque. There's even a manually operated water spray feature for a driver to enhance intercooler efficiency during high-performance driving, although I never found it to be needed.


The spoiler is designed to reduce rear-end lifting at high speeds, but the lightweight aluminum wheels would be best off painted something like a dull silver to tone things down.


This car is lowered and looks absolutely wild with the scoop, spoiler and performance-directed STi design features such as aerodynamic side ground effects moldings and wide flared front fenders and rear quarter body panels.


Never mind the gold wheels -- the STi looks fine to followers of the World Rally Championship, which is hot in Japan and Europe and best known to (mostly young) American players of Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo video racing games; they feature rally cars from automakers such as Subaru and Mitsubishi.


Forget the Chevrolet Corvette or Ferrari -- those folks want an auto that closely resembles and performs like a winning world championship rally car. So do the young members of the fast-and-furious crowd, who like hopped-up small Japanese cars; they don't care about modified American cars such as the Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros that captivated their dads.


The only major rival to the STi is the 276-horsepower, $29,999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sedan (0-60 mph in 5 seconds), although the Dodge Neon SRT-4 sedan is a slower U.S. alternative (0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds) with its 230-horsepower intercooled, turbocharged engine and bargain price of about $21,000.


But the STi is king of the hill. The 2004 model was plenty good, but improvements for 2005 include better quick-ratio power steering, new limited-slip front differential to enhance grip and larger BBS wheels (although the wide 45ZR tire size remains the same.)


The high-performance suspension has been modified and the rear track (distance between tires on the same axle) has been increased for enhanced stability. A new aerodynamic underbody cover contributes to what civic-minded Subaru calls "enhanced high-speed track stability."


There's a new automatic climate control system. The interior wasn't a strong point of the 2004 STi, so there's a more upscale interior with a new dashboard with a special instrument cluster, console, door panels and Momo three-spoke leather-covered wheel. New blue door panels match the upholstery, and higher-friction seat fabric provides better grip for occupants during cornering maneuvers, although the special front sport bucket seats offer plenty of side support in curves.


Comfort and convenience items include cruise control, power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver's seat and a tilt steering column. Recommended is the $928 Performance Group option because it contains a handy short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual gearbox, which is the only transmission offered.


That package also contains a turbo boost gauge, although most drivers won't have time to glance at it because the STi has explosive acceleration -- at high engine revs. Low revs in higher gears result in lazy acceleration because power and torque kick in at high revs, as in a race car. The STi has a 160 mph speedometer and 9,000 rpm tachometer.


However, the engine loafs at 2,800 rpm during 70 mph cruising. Fuel economy is an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 on highways.


The 2004 STi had no sound system, but newly standard is a 140-watt AM/FM premium stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and six speakers. The security system gets a new engine immobilizer with a transponder ignition key.


Subaru's well-developed all-wheel-drive system adds road grip for sharper handling and safety, although aftermarket performance winter tires are needed for area winter driving. A driver-controlled center differential optimizes power distribution for various road and driving conditions. Front and rear limited-slip differentials help increase traction and reduce understeer.


Other safety items include a special frame for occupant protection, anti-lock Brembo disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, front side impact air bags and high-intensity-discharge low-beam headlights.


Steering is unusually quick, but the stiff suspension occasionally delivers a jerky ride -- the price paid for the sharp handling. The clutch pedal has a rubbery feel and its aluminum-alloy pedal covers can cause shoes to slip off them; race drivers use high-friction shoes during rallies, but most average motorists wear slippery shoes. Stopping distances are short with the powerful Brembo Performance Brake System, although the brake pedal is rather touchy.


Four tall adults fit, but have little room to spare because the Impreza is a subcompact car. Doors have large outside handles and interior storage pockets. They open wide, but a deep step-down floor slightly hampers entry and exit.


The trunk is fairly large, but has a rather high opening that's moderately wide. The lid has manual hinges and no interior covering. Rear seatbacks don't flip forward to increase the cargo area.


Open the hood and you'll find easily reached fluid filler areas and Subaru's compact, horizontally opposed piston engine set low to give the STi a lower center of gravity for better handling.


Subaru once made slow, marginal economy cars. My, how things have changed.

2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi

Price
$32,195

Likes
Exotic car acceleration. Superb handling. Upgraded interior. More equipment. All-wheel drive.

Dislikes
Stiff ride. Garish gold wheels. Add-on items look juvenile.