I'd like to think the hatchback craze has finally started to catch on in the US. And when you have vehicles like the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door, how could it not?
What an interesting, fast, attractive, functional and fun vehicle. The compact bullet shape is perfect for city driving, and the 265-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine is pure glee.
This is exactly the kind of car I could own living in Chicago. The compact size and I-mean-business hood scoop had me at hello. The peppy engine power and smooth 5-speed manual transmission got me shortly thereafter.
My first foray onto the highway had me smiling with delight at the quick on-ramp acceleration. And the tight steering and stiff suspension had me weaving in and out of traffic like a race car driver. The ride and handling was all sport and not an iota of cheap.
Which is nice considering the base price of the WRX is $26,220 with destination. And that includes the standard all-wheel drive (AWD), steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod integration and Sirius Satellite Radio. Personally, that's all I'd need in a car.
The test vehicle was a Premium model, which upped the starting price to $28,720. But at this trim, you get some nice standard upgrades such as a power moonroof, fog lights and heated cloth seats. The test vehicle also added the optional satellite radio and navigation system, which took the as-tested price up to $30,720.
One word of advice: Ditch the navigation system. Right now you'd do better with a portable Garmin as the Subaru system still uses a confounding system of DVDs to select your geographical location. And it's annoying as all get out. Especially when your stuck in traffic trying to get to the airport, and you're running late. And there's a medical emergency you'd love to route around. But the wrong DVD is in the system.
Not that I speak from experience or anything.
While the fuel economy isn't the greatest at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, you have to keep in mind this is for an AWD vehicle, which is the only kind that Subaru makes. The 5-speed manual transmission is a smooth shifter, but I do need to point out that the clutch is a tad stiff. Great for spirited driving, bad for stop-and-go city traffic.
The exterior styling of the WRX follows the same formula as other 5-door hatches, but the distinguishing factors on the Subaru version include that aforementioned hood scoop and wide taillights individual round bulbs, which add visual interest to the rear of the vehicle.
The interior is plain and simple and relatively solid for a compact car. I liked the cloth seating surfaces, and I especially liked that they could be heated. Behind the wheel gauges were easy to read and straight forward, and all the buttons and dials were within easy reach.
I liked the sporty ride of the WRX, and it's compact shape made it easy to maneuver in and out of traffic. Not to mention that parallel parking was a breeze. The one surprise: Turning radius kind of stunk. Pulling out of my compact condo parking space became a series of 3-point turns, which i didn't expect from a small vehicle with AWD.
Anyone shopping this 5-door hatch segment has to check out the WRX, but I'd be remiss if I said it was the only vehicle worth testing. I have to admit a bit of an obsession with the Mazdaspeed3. I think both vehicles are winners, but while one comes with AWD and a bevy of up-level standard features, the other has tighter handling, a lighter clutch and a smaller price tag. So, it all depends on what you're looking for.
For more automotive coverage and up-to-date raves and rants on Jill's car du jour, be sure to visit her car blog,
Drive, She Said. You can follow Jill on twitter @Jill_Ciminillo.