Subaru's strength comes from its diminutive, nimble stature. One of Asia's smaller automakers doing business in the U.S., its quirky cause-driven philosophy serves as a differentiator, delivering steadily-as-she-goes sales growth.
As with Mitsubishi, another non-large Asian player, no pickup trucks or full-size SUVs dot dealer landscapes, although Subaru U.S. sales dominate those delivered by Mitsubishi. Subaru of America calls Itasca home to one of three regional offices: Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Denver, Colorado round out the trifecta.
Through July, Subaru of America posted sales of 331,551, a 2.7 percent uptick from the same 2015 time frame. By contrast Japan's largest automaker, Toyota, reported sales of 1,412,033 through July. Subaru set an all-time U.S. sales record in 2015 with 582,865 vehicles, up an impressive 13.4 percent over the previous all-time high, set one year prior. Subaru has the momentum to top these results by year's end.
Subaru's marketing mantra during subsequent decades resonates today with an easily digestible message: all-wheel drive all the time. Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive distributes torque 50-50 front to rear. If slippage is indicated, the system automatically transfers more torque to wheels with the best traction to optimize surface conditions and driving situations.
In 2013, Subaru made an exception to its own all-wheel drive rule by introducing the low-slung BRZ coupe. The rear-drive BRZ shares underpinnings and production time with Scion's FR-S. Now that Scion has opted for early retirement, absorbed by Parent company Toyota, a new designation emerges in 2017, the numerically-centric, Toyota '86.'
Another Subaru differentiator is its lineup of Boxer engines. Shaped similar to a large Samsonite suitcase from yesteryear, pistons lay flat at 180 degrees (instead of the 'V' inspired 90 degrees) and ride shallower in the engine compartment. This lowers the center of gravity, improving agility and handling. Only a scant few automakers outside of Subaru, mostly high-end track-specific types, share this design.
Subaru's niche WRX traces its roots back to the 1990s, building a loyal fan base for those seeking a high-octane compact-sized rally-type car as daily transportation where top-notch fuel economy remains an afterthought. The STI prefix designate is the ultra-high flagship trim. The WRX STI underwent extensive rebooting in 2015 with a one-inch longer wheelbase and sedan-only body style. Expect minor updates in 2016.
Now that Mitsubishi decided to bid farewell to its low volume, high-performance 'Evo' (based on the compact Lancer platform), WRX finds itself the reigning King of affordable, Japan-based tuner-centric cars.
A base, 2016 WRX checks in at $26,595 with two available option groups: Limited and Premium. The up-performance WRX STI offers the 'Limited' option package which adds a blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert, both new for 2016 joining an in-dash navigation system and upgraded Harmon Kardon audio experience.
Our STI tester with Limited packaging posted a $38,995 starting price and $39,790 finish after $795 destination charge. Yet another added value; a new-for-2016 eye-catching "Hyper Blue Edition" at no additional charge. Only 700 are available with clear coat exterior blue hue and blue stitching throughout front/rear seating. Seats incorporate suede-like cushion inserts flanked with leatherette bolsters. Expect more-than-generous head room.
Visually setting STI apart from WRX; a TALL (10 inches from top to base) wing-type spoiler jetting above the deck lid. As counter intuitive as it sounds, the tall-standing wing does not block rear-view mirror perception. If the tall version's not your style, a low profile version is offered at no extra ding.
Up front, STI's sizable hood vent adds attitude and along the sides, brake vents cool off hot lap adventures. A pair of dual exhaust pipes add a menacing appeal. Strap-like door handles share the hyper blue color although side mirrors adorn black.
Both WRX and WRX STI incorporate a tighter platform than its distant Impreza cousin. Mechanically, STI differentiates from WRX with larger Brembo brakes, a stiffer suspension and hydraulic-boost steering. At highway speeds, expect wind and road noise, a reasonable trade off in exchange for performance hype. The suspension connects drivers with the pavement with a bit of bounce rather than a smooth glide.
The STI's standard six-speed manual transmission moves with pleasant, predicable short throws. Subaru introduced hill-holder clutches long ago, allowing right foot darts between the brake and accelerator pedals without rollback (for about five seconds) while the left foot glides up from the clutch pedal. Active torque vectoring applies brake pressure to inside front wheels to facilitate more neutral cornering.
The WRX STI's 2.5-liter intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine delivers 305 horses, a tweak up from WRX's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo cranking out 268 horses. A turbocharger runs off of recycled exhaust gases spinning a pinwheel-inspired turbine to pump concentrated air into the engine. Turbocharging increases engine output without adding undue weight.
A circular selector dial aft of the transmission shifter commands three modes: sport, sport sharp (for maximum performance driving) and intelligent.
Inside, the snazzy, flat, electroluminescent instrument panel includes two circular analog gauges with hot-red backlighting at night flanking a single-panel, 3.5-inch digital message board detailing odometer readout and current gear setting of the manual transmission. Lower dash push-button start is part of the Limited package.
Three good-sized circular dials along the lower central dash help monitor fan speed and dual temperature settings, a superior design to an assortment of tiny buttons. Below is an open cove with 12-volt outlet for stowing portable electronics. Plug-in USB and auxiliary ports reside inside the arm rest/storage bin behind dual beverage holders and stick-lift manual parking brake.
In addition, more colorful information may be gleaned from a long brimmed multi-function display atop the center dash (outside temperature, clock, miles to empty, etc.) with a manual up-down screen-select switch nearby. This is in addition to the 7.0-inch in-dash audio screen doubling as a backup camera feed. Large select icons and screen commands are intuitive and logical in nature with a 'home' button always accessible. Audio dials flanking the window add a 'simplicity factor.'
The three-spoke, flat-bottomed, manually operated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel contains its share of electronic wizardry including secondary audio controls at 9 o'clock and cruise control at three bells. Also available, Starlink, Subaru's answer to linking Bluetooth Smartphones with touch screen functions.
Rear seat backs fold down with a 60/40 split once pull tabs atop backs yank upward to unlock. This gains access to a relatively usable, tall standing 12.0 cubic-foot trunk. With a transmission hump vertically partitioning the floor, row two is best left for two adults.
Subaru translates from Japanese as 'unite,' a reference to the logo's six stars representing the six companies united under Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company). This blue background oval appears on the steering wheel, deck lid and the rectangular honeycomb grille.
2016 Subaru WRX STI
Price as tested: $39,790
Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 268
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Overall length: 180.9 inches
Overall width: 70.7 inches
Overall height: 58.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,267 pounds
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway