2015 Subaru WRX STI
So much of how we perceive a vehicle—even if we are someone who has spent their entire professional career evaluating them—has to do with where we are at in our life. That thought came to the fore as I climbed into the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI for my first drive, for it was 11 years ago that I bought one of the first of these rally wonders with my own hard-earned and reveled in its ferocious, uncompromising performance.
A decade later the car looked similar, all evocative bright blue scoops and bulges wrapped around shining gold wheels. Its been updated of course—this model is two generations removed from my own, and the LED lights, quad exhausts and even larger rear wing made it stand out, and attract tremendous attention from Suby aficionados, of which there are a seeming endless number here on the Front Range.
Inside it was déjà vu all over again, with blue trim, mediocre plastics and a tight, short-jab shifter falling readily to hand. Mine had no factory stereo, this one’s is amongst the worst I’ve ever heard. Which is a shame as the new STI is quieter by far, its throbbing exhaust note, all in-yer-face under full throttle, dying away at highway speeds. Higher velocities also serve to smooth out much of the heavy starch in the Subaru’s ride. What has clearly improved is the steering. Back in ‘the day’ my Suby’s helm was considered vague compared to its competitors. Mods I had made improved it, but it’s nowhere close to the new STI’s tiller, which is better than most cars you can now buy. The Subaru turns in like a demon too, and the adjustable center differential allows you to play rally hero to hearts content on low-friction surfaces. A more rigid structure and stiffer springs have turned this STI into one of the funnest out-of-the-box machines available.
What this new STI isn’t, is faster than my old one. Blame its middle-aged avoirdupois, a corollary of all the new safety systems onboard perhaps. 0-60 takes about five seconds (my old one did the dash in 4.6) and while the pedals allow for perfect heel-toe maneuvers and the brakes are incredibly strong, there just isn’t the kind of strait line stonk I expect now. The STI is actually good value though; it costs less, adjusted for inflation, than my first-gen model did.
Despite the lack of over-the-top accelerative ability I might wish for, the new WRX STI is a superb driving, well built and quite practical car. Though I might have aged past the point where it is the most compelling four-door choice, it still holds very broad appeal and it warms my heart to know Subaru hasn’t abandoned its rich rally heritage.
EPA ratings: 17/23mpg
Price as tested: $38,190
Here is what Subaru has to say.
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