The Subaru WRX is one of those cars that demands to be driven. It may not suit everyone's taste, as it's a road-going rally car, but it is an auto that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Over the years we've seen Subaru go from a really small Japanese automaker that built products for folks living in the New England region of the U.S. and become something much stronger than that. Now it has a small rear-wheel drive sportscar in the BRZ, it has the volume product in the Forrester, Subaru also has a small "urban utility" vehicle with the CrossTrek XV and then there's the classic midsize sedan, the Legacy.
But, without the mod-friendly Impreza, Subaru would lose out on a good chunk of business. So, the WRX couldn't possibly suck. Though it seems the reception has been mixed since it introduced the all-new sedan at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. That's because it's become a touch more refined. Oh, and it also can be had with a CVT transmission for the FIRST time.
Obviously purists are freaking out, but in reality, if Subaru wants to gain more market share, there's no other way to go, particularly when manual gearboxes are going the way of the dodo.
That said, how good is it?
Check out one reviewer's take, below...
The 2015 Subaru WRX has an all new, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged and intercooled. The aluminum, direct-injected "boxer" makes 268 horsepower (at 5,600 rpm) and 258 lbs-feet of torque from 2,000 -- 4,000 rpm. The 2015 Subaru WRX gets a new six-speed manual transmission comes standard while a "Sport Lineartronic™" continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes optional. It features SI-DRIVE performance management with six-speed and eight-speed manual shifting modes and steering wheel paddle shifters. The exterior is nearly all new. The only exterior components shared with the Impreza are the roof panel and deck-lid. Subaru is offering the 2015 Subaru WRX as a sedan only. Check out another accurate, fun and informative TFLcar first drive video review as Nathan test the new Subie in Northern California.