Subaru illustrated over time that thinking small can land big results.
No heavy-duty pickup trucks, no seven-passenger minivans and no 707-horsepower V-8 engines. Instead, the current lineup consists of compact and midsize sedans and crossovers with a recently introduced diminutive coupe thrown in for good measure.
Until the rear-wheel-drive BRZ compact coupe debuted in 2013, all Subaru's sold in the United States included all-wheel-drive standard. That holds true for our tester this week, the compact WRX. While a majority of compact-size four doors boast front-wheel drive, fewer offer all-wheel drive as an option while standard all-wheel drive remains a rarity. For Chicagoland drivers all too familiar with four-season weather extremes, all-wheel drive provides solid footing with lots of grip.
In the 2013 calendar year, Subaru sold 424,683 units in the United States, an all-time record that the company certainly will surpass in 2014. Numbers should easily sale past 500,000 units by year's end, marking a new milestone. In the 2014 model year, Subaru introduced its first gas-electric hybrid teamed with all-wheel-drive; the five-door 'XV Crosstrek hybrid.'
Subaru's U.S. debut dates back to 1968 when the diminutive '360' coupe first reached the shores. Fast forward to 2015 and the compact Impreza proudly stands as Subaru's entry-level selection. Impreza, available with four or five doors, first arrived in 1993. During its 2002 second-generation redesign, Subaru introduced the higher-performance Impreza WRX, which quickly gained a loyal following as a four-cylinder, all-wheel-drive performance choice.
In a wise marketing move for 2015, the economically-themed Impreza nameplate separates from the higher-performance WRX moniker, allowing WRX to stand on its own merit. It's now strictly a sedan; no five-door WRX body style is offered.
The 2015 WRX includes many platform updates resulting in a stiffer chassis. Also joining the fun; larger front brakes, new twin-scroll turbocharged powertrain and a first-ever six-speed manual transmission.
This past January at the Detroit Auto Show, Subaru debuted a limited edition WRX STI performance flagship model. Only 1,000 of these will be built in the 2015 model year featuring unique, racing-inspired blue paint, gold alloy wheels and pumped up horsepower.
The sole WRX engine is a 2.0-liter, twin-scroll turbocharged 'boxer' engine; a four-cylinder cranking out an impressive 268 horses. Boxer engines, shaped like a common suitcase, differ from conventional designs since pistons lay flat at 180 degrees (instead of the 'V' inspired 90 degrees) and ride shallower in the engine compartment. This lowers the center of gravity, improving agility and handling. Only a scant few automakers sport a Boxer-style engine, Subaru and Porsche being the most prominent.
Subaru recommends premium 91 octane or higher fuel for optimal performance of the 268 horsepower turbo boxer. By comparison, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Impreza boxer engine generates 248 horses.
The new six-speed manual continues once again with Subaru's long-instituted incline start assist, basically holding the neutral WRX steady while the driver's right foot moves off the brake to accelerator pedal while the left foot dances with the clutch.
Pricing for a nicely equipped 2015 base model, with six-speed manual, starts at $26,295. Two other trims include Premium (adding heated front seats, sunroof and fog lamps) and top-line Limited (all Premium extras along with leather upholstery, and eight-way power driver's seat). A $1,200 new continuously variable transmission (CVT) with three driving modes is available in Premium and Limited trims.
Kudos to Subaru for keeping option packages brief and simple. Premium trims offer a $2,000 in-dash 6.1-inch touch-screen navigation with upgraded stereo. Limited trims offer a $2,500 in-dash navigation, upgraded stereo and keyless push start or $1,500 for navigation and push start.
Our tester, a WRX Limited with six-speed manual started at $29,995. With the $2,500 option package and $795 delivery charge, the bottom line ended at $33,290; representing the most opulent factory-equipped WRX available.
The dashboard's intuitive and simplistic design gets easily absorbed by the driver. Two circular analog gauges dominate the instrument panel, flanking a digital menu with selection controls found on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Bright red backlighting illuminates at night. The black interior attractively adds a dark, carbon-fiber-like trim. As with many track-inspired vehicles, the three-spoke, manually tilt-and-telescope steering wheel features a flat bottom. Included on the face: cruise control and secondary audio functions.
Atop the center column resides an all-new, deep-set, sun-protected 4.3-inch multi-informational four-color screen with rear back-up camera feed. Below, a centrally located touch screen helps navigate through stereo, hands-free phone and optional navigation feeds. A small thin knob controls sound volume through old-school tactile means. A second knob for station selection would be welcomed. Three medium-sized, brushed-aluminum in-row twist dials control ventilation functions.
While a long fuel gauge lever is floor bound left of the driver's seat, the trunk release is found on the dash left of the steering column. Heated seat buttons are found directly behind the hand-operated parking brake between front buckets. A small flip-top bin (hinged at the rear) houses portable electronic plug-in ports and a 12-volt outlet.
Rear seats provide decent head and good leg room for WRX's compact size, but the vertical transaxle floor hump limits optimal comfort to two adults. Rear seatbacks fold down with a 60/40 split once outboard top pin/posts lift up. Trunk volume remains a smidgen larger in 2015 at 12.0-cubic feet. A temporary spare tire resides under the trunk's flat floor.
Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive distributes torque 50-50 front to rear. If slippage is indicated, the system automatically transfers more torque to wheels with the best traction. Responsive electric power assist steering quickens responses and a tight turning circle. Also assisting handling is the new active torque vectoring system helping cornering characteristics, part of Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics control.
In the compact sedan domain, WRX visually stands out thanks to a prominent hood scoop/vent smack dab in the hood's center region; almost as wide as the center front grille. Limited trims exclusively add LED low-beam headlights for a unique look among the WRX trio.
Side fenders include scallop-type vents for better brake breathing. Quad exhausts emit a deep, powerful note. A small spoiler adorns the short deck lid in Premium and Limited models intersecting with large rear window.
Subaru's sole U.S. assembly plant, operational since 1989 (and celebrating 25 years of operation in 2014), is a relatively short drive from the Chicago area situated in Lafayette, Indiana. Current Subaru models assembled there include the Legacy sedan and Tribeca and Outback crossovers (2015 WRXs and Imprezas call Japan home).
Since 2007, the Toyota Camry has been assembled in Lafayette (along with Georgetown Kentucky), but will cease Indiana production in 2016 allowing more options for Subaru. One of Subaru's three U.S. regional offices is located in Itasca. Translated from Japanese Subaru means 'unite.' Toyota Motor Company owns a 16.5 percent shareholder stake in Subaru.
2015 Subaru WRXPrice as tested: $33,290
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 268
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Overall length: 180.9 inches
Overall width: 70.7 inches
Overall height: 58.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,267 pounds
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Assembly: Japan