Subaru WRX Review

The specification reads fine. A 2.4 litre turbocharged flat-four making 271 horsepower, symmetrical all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual, and a stiffer platform that improves the ride and the noise levels considerably over the car it replaced. On a wet or loose surface it still does the thing Subarus do, which is find grip where nothing else can. The problem is that everything has been sanded smooth. The engine is muted and flat above four thousand, the steering tells you very little, and the chassis no longer feels like it is conspiring with you.

The unpainted plastic cladding around the arches drew complaints from the moment the covers came off and has not aged into acceptance. Fuel economy is poor for the power, because all-wheel drive and a turbo four is not an efficient combination. Running costs are reasonable and the boxer engine reliability record has improved a lot since the head gasket years. It is a good car that used to be a great one.