2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Review

Subaru built slow, clunky economy cars with cheesy interiors about 20 years ago, but it was the only automaker to offer four-wheel drive for all its autos then. It's now selling upscale four-wheel-drive cars, including an early 2004 sedan with a race-rally car design and sizzling acceleration.

That new all-wheel-drive sedan is the sophisticated Impreza WRX STi. It generates 300 horsepower and lots of torque with its turbocharged, intercooled four-cylinder engine, which is amazingly sophisticated.

The STi streaks to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That's exotic car acceleration, but it's expected from a car developed by Subaru Tecnica International (STi). That's the high performance and motorsports development division of Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes Subarus.

The WRX STi is quite a few steps above the popular, 227-horsepower WRX. That two-year-old model costs $24,295-$24,795 and also was inspired by Subaru world championship rally cars. It comes as a sedan and station wagon and hits 60 in 5.7 seconds.

The lower-horsepower WRX is offered with a manual or automatic transmission, but the STi comes only with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox. Only about 300 a month will be offered in America.

Even tenths of a second during acceleration are important to buyers of these type of cars, which are the ultimate autos for the young "fast and furious'' set.

The more power you have, the faster you go. The only STi rival is Mitsubishi's new $28,987 Lancer Evolution all-wheel-drive small sedan, which also has a design inspired by race-rally cars. It has 271 horsepower and does 0-60 mph in five seconds.

Of the two, the STi is the most comfortable. The Lancer "Evo'' has quicker (almost too fast) steering and go-kart handling. But it has a stiffer ride and less progressive power delivery because of its smaller 2-liter intercooled, turbocharged engine. World Rally Championship rules call for a 2-liter cap on displacement, but Subaru correctly figured that a 2.5-liter engine would be more docile for a U.S. market production car.

The STi has a supple ride and comfortable interior, with supportive race-style front seats and easily read gauges (except for the tiny turbo boost gauge). While not plush, the interior has nicely finished materials and a straightforward design.

Climate controls are large, and comfort and convenience items include air conditioning, cruise control, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver's seat, tilt steering column and power locks and windows.

However, this subcompact car has a rather tight interior, which lets in a fair amount of tire noise. Four 6-footers fit, but there's little room to spare. And leg room gets tight behind a tall driver who moves his seat back enough to get comfortable.

The cargo area is decent for a small car, and fold-forward rear seatbacks allow it to be enlarged.

Safety items include side air bags up front in this 3,263-pound car, which is fairly heavy for an auto with a 100-inch wheelbase--thanks to the comfort and convenience items.

The STi has no sound system, but is wired to accept one. Subaru says elimination of a radio is a weight-saving move, but probably figured that many STi buyers would remove a factory sound system and install a more high-tech one, anyway. Lots of WRX owners have done just that.

Quick steering, a competition-style suspension, wide 45-series performance tires on large 17-inch wheels and all-wheel drive give the STi superb agility. And easily modulated anti-lock Brembo brakes--also found on exotic Italian sports cars--provide short stopping distances. However, a driver often must shift gears a lot for the best performance--and be in the right gear at the correct engine speed.

For example, there's virtually no acceleration if you floor the accelerator in second gear at low engine revs. In that situation, with fast-approaching traffic behind you, a quick shift to first gear and a floored throttle are needed to get out of harm's way.

The shifter has a short throw, but gear change action occasionally is stiff. The clutch has a light action, but has a long throw.

Fuel economy is decent, considering the car's high performance: an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.

The STi has aggressive styling, with a huge hood scoop, bulging fenders, aerodynamic side body moldings and tall rear spoiler. It doesn't have the voluptuous styling of many high performance cars. But, after all, it's derived from an economy car, and its add-ons items are strictly functional.

Europe and Japan are familiar with cars such as the STi because they've been sold in those countries for more than a decade, but Americans who follow world rally championship races on the Speed Channel long have been waiting for Subaru to bring its hottest rally car here. The 227-horsepower WRX was pretty good, but the STi is a whole lot better.

Young players of Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo video racing games, which feature rally cars from automakers such as Subaru and Mitsubishi, will have to wait a few years to turn the ignition key of an STi.

The STi can be compared to foreign high-performance autos with six-figure prices. It's a narrowly focused, but highly visible, car that promises to enhance Subaru's image here.


2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
Price:
$30,995

Likes:
Race-rally car design. Docile, but provides exotic car performance.

Dislikes:
Stiff shifter, and much shifting often needed. Rather tight interior.