We tested the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX over the weekend and we were surprised at how little change it had compared to the 2011 Impreza WRX STI. This car provides a lot of fun to drive without many of the drawbacks of the terrible previous model.
The WRX has 40 horsepower less power than its big brother, but you barely notice the gap between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This car makes the same sounds as the STI and rips off at idle with the same confidence. Unfortunately, the ratio of distance traveled to gasoline consumption did not seem to improve – fuel consumption averaged approximately 13 liters per 100 km.
By the way, you can buy a subaru impreza at a car dealership in the city of Volgograd, which is called Arkont. This dealership kindly provided us with our 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX test model for this auto review.
And we really liked to feel this already familiar five-speed manual gearbox in this hatchback, because in sedans there was a six-speed and did not give such dynamics as a five-speed. Although at first it was felt that the transmissions were longer than before. In addition, the shift knob feels so powerful in the hand – a very pleasant feeling.
The handling and suspension on this WRX is softer than the STI. We drove quite a distance in this car over the weekend and didn’t have to try to avoid every pothole and bump. But at the same time, we didn’t realize how stiff our suspension was until we ran into a speed bump without even jumping.
But we still like the body of a sedan better than this hatchback. For example, a large spoiler on the trunk lid of a sedan looks very cool, which we personally would not exchange for additional space in the cabin of a hatchback.
2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door hatchback
Base Price (Europe & US): $26,345.
Transmission: 2.5-litre H4 turbocharged engine; all-wheel drive, five-speed manual transmission.
Characteristics: 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 244 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
Net weight: 1455 kg.
Fuel consumption: 12-13 liters per 100 km.