I test drove the 2016 Subaru WRX STI this afternoon. If you’ve read any of my other writings, you know that I have a super soft spot for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and that I am hopelessly nostalgic about that car. The media say that the current STI has finally met the Evo X in stock handling and AWD tarmac prowess, so I was very curious to see how Subaru drives.
Inspecting the STI’s interior in the showroom, I find it nicer than the Evo IX’s, but the STI shows that it is born of economy cars instead of luxury cars. I am smiling with honest excitement upon discovering that the headliner and trunk liner are made of the same scratchy mouse-hair material used in my old Evo IX! Evo similarities continue with the higher-than-expected seating position. A true sports car or sports sedan would sit you closer to the tarmac. The STI’s seats are appealing to the eye, comfortable enough—the seat bottom is on the harder side—but not terribly affectionate. They don’t have much thigh bolstering either. All of the dials are hard-plastic, but they surpass the Evo by at least working smoothly. The rear trunk room is decent (my long term M3’s trunk is deeper), and it is nice that the rear seats fold down for expanded cargo capacity.
My salesman Alex is quite excited to have an STI customer. He owns a WRX and used to race motorcycles, and I’m guessing the STI is why Alex applied for a job at this Subaru dealer. Showing a sensitivity towards his wares, Alex makes sure to let the car idle and warm before taking off from the lot. I really like the Subaru engine sound and enjoy how a significant quantity of that sound makes it into the cabin. Sitting in the passenger seat, I am surprised by how fast and torquey the STI is when given full throttle. There is a mild torque surge in the engine’s mid-range, where the turbo is working at its best. I love, love, love the race car, always-on, ride quality of the STI. I can feel everything going on with the pavement under the car through the seat and floor. Yes! It is extraneous information, but it makes me so happy! I am somewhat surprised that there is a new car on the market that rides down the road with the same intensity and spirit as the Evo IX. I had assumed that cars of this intensity and rawness were not sold anymore.
Switching places and driving the STI for myself, the goodness continues. The six-speed manual shifter is tight and notchy, with moderate length throws. It is very pleasant to use. The clutch is not so heavy, and it is easy to modulate for smooth starts. The STI’s hill start assist and larger engine (vs. Evo) also help when getting away from a stop sign. The power is joyous but not as eye-widening from the driver’s seat as it was from the passenger’s seat. Clearly, this engine was developed under the old-school turbo tuning philosophies where boost thresholds can be well above idle, and turbo surge is allowed. Modern turbo tuning, like is done with the ATS-V and F80 M3, tries to deliver peak torque as soon as possible in the rev range and hold it as long as possible, impersonating the fat, linear torque of a large displacement NA engine (although failing to provide NA’s high RPM crescendo). The Subaru’s 2.5l has minor lag off the line and then a surge of midrange torque when the turbo spools. Its lag and surge are more moderate than the Evo IX’s, but the same good flavor is still there. While I’m enjoying the engine’s character, I’m used to having the M3’s 414 stomping German horses, and 300 hp cars like the STI and IS350 just don’t feel that quick in a straight line. Perhaps I could adjust back?
The STI’s steering was a little heavier than I expected (I just came from a test drive of the Lexus IS350, and it had light steering), and the Subaru has good rack-speed. It is missing the frenetic turn-in of the Evo. Still, I am satisfied with the steering.
I love driving the STI and spend most of my time smiling. The tightness of the chassis and suspension, and the way I am engaged with road feel, are the highlights. The sweet-shifting six-speed and turbo surge seal my love-affair. I am so happy there is still a car as rough-and-ready as this on the market! Where are the other rough and ready-to-race four-doors? Yes, my excitement has a large component of nostalgia in it, but this is the recipe I want, and it is still available with a factory warranty!
If the Focus RS is not obtainable, I’ll give the 2016 Subaru WRX STI a serious look next to a used Evo IX. Most Evo IXs are pretty worn at this point, so the STI is an appealing alternative to get much of the same feel in a factory-fresh form.
Mike's Steering Column 