The original Subaru Impreza WRX STI (well, STi until a few years ago) was a legend that was not originally available in the United States. Which of course increased its allure. Still, even once available here many more people lusted after an STI than actually bought one. Aside from the high price, the ride was so harsh and noise levels were so high that the car simply wasn't livable for many people-myself included.

For the 2008 model year Subaru redesigned the Impreza. Later in the model year a new STI arrived. Have they managed to correct the old car's faults without losing the things that made it special? I took one for a test drive to find out.

Subaru WRX STI Styling

Let's be blunt: the current Impreza is not attactive, especially not the misshapen blobby hatch. For the STI, now available only in hatch form, the fenders are flared and a sporty body kit is fitted. And, miracle of miracles, the STI looks far better than the WRX, especially with the standard five-spoke wheels. Multispoke BBS alloys are paired with the optional nav system, but to my eye the car doesn't look nearly as good with them.

The interior of the STI has never been special, and the new one continues this tradition. Some reviewers find the more organic exterior to be more upscale, but if anything it seems more plasticky to me.

Subaru WRX STI Accommodations

You sit lower behind a more massive instrument panel in the redesigned Subaru WRX STI. I preferred the airier cockpit of the previous car.

The well-bolstered Alcantara-upholstered buckets provide very good lateral support, and are also comfortable. The rear seat remains tight, with barely enough room for the average adult.

The hatch is more practical than the sedan, with a similar amount of cargo room to other compact hatches.

Subaru WRX STI Driving Experience

Mitsubishi continues with a 2.0-liter four for the Evo, the STI's archrival. Prior to introducing the STI in the U.S., Subaru bumped displacement from 2.0 to 2.5. As a result, the STI's engine feel's much torquier than the Evo's, even feeling explosive in the previous-generation car. Despite a small power increase, to 305, and a slight weight reduction, the engine doesn't feel quite as strong in the new car. Blame an increase in sound-deadening material. This remains a very quick car.

The STI I drove was fitted with the optional short-throw shifter. I personally like the shorter throws, even with the attendant increase in shift effort.

The STI has never handled as well as the Evo, and this continues to be the case with the redesigned cars. Thanks to trick electronics, the new Evo feels more agile than a car with its front-heavy weight distribution and relatively heavy curb weight has a right to.
In comparison, the STI feels much less agile, despite a lower curb weight. Steering feel is just so-so, and the system could be quicker. There's more roll in turns than there should be. But what I mind the most is that the car simply feels too static, even if you play with the adjustable center diff. The Evo feels more alive and dynamic.

The upside of the overly soft handling is that the ride quality is much improved over the previous STI. Add in much lower (if still far from Lexus) noise levels, and the STI is actually quite livable now.

Subaru WRX STI Price Comparisons and Pricing
The 2009 Subaru WRX STI lists for $35,690. This is a large amount of money for a compact car with a plasticky interior. You're clearly paying for the hardware here, not features and interior materials.

The regular WRX lists for over $9,000 less. Even if you adjust for feature differences, the gap is over $6,000. The regular WRX is now quicker, so the STI premium buys you a more aggressive exterior and a more sophisticated suspension with stickier tires. Worth it? Probably not to many.

The Mitsubishi Evo lists for about $1,500 less. Adjust for feature differences--such as the leather/suede upholstery in the STI--and the Subaru ends up $500 less. Price isn't likely to be the decided factor between these cars.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, TrueDelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)
TrueDelta's page for the Subaru Impreza WRX STI:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Impreza.php

Subaru STI Last Words

I should lust after this car, but I don't. While the improvements in ride quality and noise are welcome, the car needs more of an edge to it. Most of all, whatever Mitsubishi did to make the porky Evo feel agile needs to be done to this car.

If that's not bad enough, Subaru firmed up and boosted the power output of the regular WRX for 2009 Though the STI still looks much better, the regular WRX is clearly a better value.

A Note on Subaru WRX STI Reliability
I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've been collecting my own data. Results are posted to TrueDelta.com, with updates every three months. Unlike other sources, TrueDelta clearly identifies what difference it will make if you buy a Subaru WRX STI rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" stats.
To report results, TrueDelta needs reliability data on all cars--not just the WRX STI--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants pay an access fee.
Details here:
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
Alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.
Amount Paid (US$): 35,690