2015 Subaru WRX

A longtime Subaru mainstay, the WRX has been, and still remains, the brand’s performance center. So it’s only fitting that with an all-new generation, the 2015 WRX ups the ante when it comes to attitude and aggression on a budget.

While still based on the Impreza sedan, the new generation drops the Impreza name altogether; making the WRX now a stand-alone model.

Power comes from a 2.0 liter turbo flat-4 engine, the same one featured in the Forester XT. Its 268 horsepower is up slightly over the outgoing Impreza WRX, but now better managed thanks to Active Torque Vectoring on the front axle. Both axles benefit from enhanced all-wheel drive systems with a nominal torque split of 45 front, 55 rear. We saw plenty of grip and stability through the winding roads of Northern California’s Redwood forests where the fun factor was highest with the standard, quick-shifting six-speed manual.

Also available, a sport-tuned version of Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT. Designed with efficiency in mind, selectable drive modes offer 6 or 8 speed simulated gear ratios. Paddle shifters do allow for some room to play, so it doesn’t totally kill the enjoyment factor as some might think.

Styling remains understated, though the iconic WRX hood scoop is an eye catcher. The mean looking quad exhaust setup out back also looks great, but it just doesn’t bark quite as loud as the car’s performance can bite.

On sale this spring, the 2015 Subaru WRX starts around $27,000.