2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

When the Subaru Impreza WRX arrived here in 2002, we applauded their efforts to rattle the brand’s bland U.S. image by luring enthusiasts with their global road rally credentials - and it worked! But, with success came trouble. Last year’s all-new WRX clearly traded spirit for wider appeal. And that was a mistake. But guess what, only a year later Subaru is back with a fix!

A fix that infuses this car with the edginess it should have received last year.  Performance-enhanced, the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX appears to once again be the remedy true purists want - especially since competition in the very hot sport-compact class has ramped up considerably, including a vastly improved Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

The first thing fixed is under the hood. While both sedan and 5-door hatchback WRX models sport the same 2.5-liter flat-four engine as last year, it now has the added kick of the STi’s larger turbocharger with a peak boost of 13.3 psi.  That delivers 265 horsepower - a jump of 41 - and 244 pound-feet of torque - up 18.

WRX power is managed by a new 5-speed, short throw manual gearbox.  It once again feeds an all-wheel drive system, but without the front and rear limited slip differentials of the STi or its Ralliart rival.

Still, on the track, traction is good for 0 to 60 runs of 5 seconds flat.  That’s a full second better than last year’s time, and it beats the Lancer Ralliart by almost a half second, while closing the gap considerably between itself and the 305 horsepower STi.

The WRX’s power tonic is mixed with a suspension retuned for more spirited handling. It borrows the front upper strut mounts from the STi and features stiffer springs and thicker stabilizer bars, both front and back. Damping is also firmer, with cornering now the clear focus instead of ride.

Wider 225/45R17 tires also contribute, with a far stickier compound than before.

The result is a WRX that is once again surgically precise. With very fast steering, it is the definition of point and shoot. It feels great! And though it’s extremely well planted, VDC stability control was there to wrangle us in if we got too crazy.

For stopping, the WRX utilizes the same braking system as before, all-discs with ABS and Brake Assist. But, the grippier tires made a difference here, too. Fade-free halts of 118-feet on average from 60 to 0 are world-class.

While we’ve never been big fans of the current gen WRX styling, for ‘09 it has been positively improved. The once optional Aero Body package is now standard on both sedan and hatchback.

The kit’s STi-type grille and pronounced ground effects nicely beef up the car’s stance.  Out back, the 4-door dons a trunk spoiler while our 5-door has a gate spoiler and rear diffuser. The sporty look is finished off with modified exhaust tips.

The interior from last year’s redesign carries over, but not without some eye-catching finishers, like the new black-checkered upholstery with red-stitching on the sport seats.  A nod to rally-racing, indeed.  The leather wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel is now also seamed in devilish crimson.  And to further punctuate performance, there are new aluminum alloy pedal covers.

The WRX premium package adds a CD-changer 10-speaker stereo and moonroof.

Touch-screen navigation is available, too. 

For safety, there are six standard airbags, including head protection for both rows.

While not a car bought for practicality, there is plenty. The accommodating 60/40 split folding rear seat combines with our 5-door’s wide cargo floor to allow an impressive 44.4 cubic feet of storage space.

Remarkably, all the extra horsepower takes only a minimal toll on the WRX’s gas mileage.  Government fuel economy rating is 18 city/25 highway on premium fuel.  Expect 21 miles-per-gallon in real world driving, only one down from last year.

The WRX’s Energy Impact Score is 16.3 barrels of oil consumed per year, while its carbon footprint is 8.7 tons of CO2 emitted annually.

Price wise, the Impreza WRX sedan starts at $25,560, while the hatchback begins at $26,160.  A performance bargain that also has the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart beat by over a grand.

For 2009, Subaru redirects the Impreza WRX back to its original intent: to provide hard-core sport compact driving excitement that is affordable to own and operate. That spirit was lost for a brief period of time, and we made excuses for the 2008 effort. Now, none are needed. Road rally enthusiasts can breathe easier now. The real WRX is back.