This thing is fun on a grand scale. The wide Dunlop tires are put to maximum use thanks to the symmetrical all-wheel drive system, which apportions power to the wheels with the most traction, most of the time. The STI gets a switch on the center console that allows the driver to decide how much power goes to the rear wheels. Dial it all the way up, and you get more power to the rears, and more fun behind the wheel.

It works beautifully. On a twisty mountain road, this one little switch was the difference between sedate and spectacular. Enthusiasts know what we mean here: With the switch in its full lock position, you can actually slide the rear around, steering with the throttle, and laughing at how strongly the car pulls out of corners. With it in the looser positions, you get less and less fun, with the STI driving like any other Impreza, albeit much faster.

The problem isn’t that it’s expensive – lots of cars are – but that aside from the performance gear, you don’t get much in the way of improvements over the basic Impreza. The plastics are still all hard, the interior is still noisy, the interior storage is still only so-so, and so on. Even the seats, which do such a wonderful job holding you in position when you’re flogging this Subie, were exceptionally uncomfortable for the daily grind. The seatback angle is such that I felt like I was being forced to hunch over a little bit. After an hour or so on the road, my back was killing me, and there was no adjustment in sight to alleviate it.

Still, this is a specialty car, designed for a small sliver of people for whom the near-$40,000 price tag isn’t an issue. They want the speed, power, handling and curious prestige that comes from owning the STI. They will be extremely happy with it.

Specifications

Test Vehicle:  2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-Door
As-tested Price: $18,140 including a $645 destination charge
Engine Size and Type:  2.5-liter four-cylinder
Engine Horsepower:  170 at 6,000 rpm
Engine Torque:  170 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Curb Weight:  3,064 lbs.
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway):  20/27 mpg
Length:  173.8 in.
Width:   68.5 in.
Wheelbase: 103.1 in.
Height: 58.1 in.
Legroom (front/rear):  43.5/33.5 in.
Headroom (front/rear):  40.3/37.6 in.
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume:  44.4 cu. ft.

Source: myride

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