2006 Subaru Impreza WRX

Let's get one thing straight—the only real flaw in the first and second-generation Subaru Impreza WRX, as sold in America, was that the turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four had a big hole in it where low-end torque should be. Subaru has taken a great step to mend this, now equipping all WRXs with the larger 2.5-liter boxer motor as has been available in the WRX STi since the 2004 model year. Everybody start clapping.

Styling

The WRX has been a delightful driver's car: nimble, tossable, fast, communicative, and readily modified. The interior is still the same blend of approachable plastics and easy functionality (though not at the level of Honda, still distinctly Japanese). The engine, the aforementioned willing, rpm-addled 2.0-liter flat four, though not a brawler down low, was more than adequate once spun to high revs. Suspension is still a combination of McPherson strut in front, lateral links in the rear, and supple in a fashion that would make long-travel rally homogolation easy. For the 2006 model year, the econo-exotic WRX experience that made this car such a phenom remains.


About that engine: the turbo'd 2.5-liter as found under the '06's hood is like the big brother STI's unit, minus some boost and a few details, and that improves the torque deficit which WRX pilots have always griped about. Horsepower wasn't anything to sing for—227 becomes 230 for 2006—but that consequential torque figure climbed by 18 lb.-ft. to 235, and all reports, including our own seat-of-the-pants comparo, proclaim it worthy of praise. It wasn't about a shortage of horsepower, anyway, but torque, and Subaru heeded your calls with a dash of displacement. Should simplify the manufacturing of USDM engines, too. The 2.5-liter engine, as in the WRX, is also a cleaner cooker than the old 2.0-liter (a rather filthy little motor) and qualifies for Low Emissions Vehicle II (LEVII) standards.

Interior

If you've never driven the Impreza WRX, you owe yourself some seat time. This is the definition of economy-exotic, a spry little guy with long legs who happily sucks the door handles off far pricier "performance" cars. You can buy this as a wagon, even. Sleeper, thy name is WRX wagon—only a few pounds heavier, it'll still paste a big smile on your face every time you leave Mustangs and every Integra in your wake. Comfortable enough for cross-country duty, with enough cargo room to enable bringing a couple kids, you can truck all over the place, including high into snow country, because Subaru all-wheel-drive's legendary capacity for bad-weather handling is no fluke. Since 1996, every Sube built has had AWD—there's a reason these things are a dime a dozen in the Northeast, Northwest and mountain country all over.


As for the 2006 WRX, additional model options have been added to the now familiar sedan and wagon selections. A TR (Tuner Ready) stripper WRX can be ordered, alongside Limited sedans and wagons with leather, heated seats, moonroof and a few other doodads. The TR, notably, will be priced the same as the Impreza WRX from 2002.