2002 Subaru Impreza Review

The new Subaru Impreza WRX isn't your father's Subaru. Or your mother's. Or your aunt's.


Rather, the 2002 WRX is the very fast, ultrastable road version of Subaru's Impreza world championship rally competition car. This 227-horsepower car does 0-60 mph in a blistering 5.7 seconds. Its all-wheel-drive system, which doesn't call for driver involvement, makes it at home at high speeds on rotten roads.


The WRX is partly meant to add luster to Subaru's revamped 2002 Impreza small car line. Many Americans who follow the world rally championship scene probably regard it as a gift from the gods.


World-class rally competition isn't well known in America because NASCAR and Indianapolis 500-style racing on tracks dominate media coverage here. But rallies are major events in Europe and other parts of the world. They're conducted over impossible roads and make racing on tracks seem almost tame.


Subaru has sold road versions of its competition rally cars in Europe and finally has gotten around to offering one here.


One nice thing about the 140-mph WRX is that it's considerably less expensive than rivals such as the BMW 325xi and Audi A4 1.8T Quattro all-wheel-drive models, which lack the competition-style nature of the WRX.


And the WRX is well-equipped, with standard air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, cruise control, keyless entry and an in-dash six-disc CD changer.


Base WRX prices range from $23,495 to $24,995. Regular Imprezas, which have 165 horsepower, go from $17,495 to $19,795.


Despite its impressive performance, the WRX is civilized; it's even offered as a station wagon--or ''Sport Wagon,'' as Subaru puts it.


The WRX has a special aluminum hood with a big, functional scoop and the blister-fender design from the Impreza World Rally Championship car. The wagon has pronounced fender flares instead of the blisters.


But the WRX still has the generally bland styling of the regular Impreza, with oversized, rather odd looking headlights.


On the other hand, the WRX' businesslike interior is racer-like, with a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, gauges with silver painted frames, aluminum alloy brake pedals with rubber grips and special flat-woven seat fabric.


Flaws? Dashboard controls should work more smoothly and average-looking plastic is used throughout the interior. That tells you that the WRX is based on the entry level Subaru.


Highly bolstered sport seats help keep front occupants firmly in place during spirited driving. Four 6-footers easily fit, but lower rear door openings are narrow and the back windows don't lower all the way.


Attention to detail is shown by the small flap that folds down above the inside rearview mirror to block sun glare from a driver's eyes when the regular sun visors don't do the job.


But the zippers on the back of the front seat covers look odd. I unzipped one to see if a hidden storage area was behind the cover in the seat and only saw interior seat parts. It turns out the zippers are there because seats come from an outside source and the zippers facilitate installation of the covers after the seats arrive at the manufacturing plant.


The sedan's trunk is large. It has a low opening for easy loading, and there's a fold-down rear center armrest with a trunk pass-through area. The wagon has a 60-40 split/fold rear seatback.


The body structure of the 3,085-3,220-pound WRX is far more rigid than that of the old Impreza and safety items include standard side air bags up front. The increased rigidity improves ride and handling while helping reduce interior noise.


Power comes from a sophisticated 2-liter four-cylinder. It has dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder--not to mention the large turbocharger and intercooler. The engine rumbles softly like a competition motor at idle speed and doesn't get very loud even when pushed hard.


There isn't much punch below 2,500 rpm--as is the case with many rather heavy turbocharged cars with small engines. But hold on once the tachometer needle nears the 3,000 rpm mark. Downshift from fifth to third gear, and the 65-75 mph passing time feels nearly as fast as that of a Chevrolet Corvette.


Cruising is easy, with the engine turning over at only 2,700 rpm at 65 mph.


Premium gasoline is called for, but fuel economy isn't bad for such a high-performance car: an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway with the five-speed manual transmission and 19 and 26 with the optional four-speed automatic.


The automatic doesn't seem to fit the competition nature of the WRX. The manual's shifter is stiff, but its throws are short and it works with a decent heavy-duty clutch.


Handling is superb with the four-wheel-independent sport suspension and fairly wide 55-series tires on 16-inch wheels. Optional are even wider 45-series tires on 17-inch wheels.


The steering is quick and the ride is firm, but supple. Four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock system provide swift, sure stops.


Although not for everyone, the WRX is an affordable thoroughbred that promises to enhance Subaru's image.



Impressive Impreza



2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX


Prices


$23,495-$24,995


Likes


Very fast. Race-style handling. All-wheel drive. Roomy.


Dislikes


Funky styling. Stiff shifter. Narrow rear door openings.