Subaru WRX

The Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Impreza that Subaru introduced to Japan in 1992. However, this all-wheel-drive sports compact, available as both a sedan and a wagon, was not available in the U.S. until 2001, the start of the vehicle's second generation.

Subaru introduced the third-generation Subaru WRX for sale in 2008. This had been a highly anticipated launch, and fans and critics alike were expecting big things. Unfortunately, they didn't really get it. While the 2008 Subaru WRX for sale had a lot of potential, the problems overwhelmed it. For the optimistic among us, expectations for the reworked 2009 Subaru WRX for sale were high.

Fortunately, Subaru responded to the criticism. They upgraded underperforming aspects of the WRX by using parts from the higher-performance WRX STI. The main area of focus was the suspension. With the STI suspension along with wider tires, stabilizer bars, and better spring rates, the handling comparison between the 2008 and 2009 Subaru WRX for sale are night and day.

Starting in 2009, the WRX definitely got its magic back, and it is now the perfect complement to its more-athletic big brother, the STI. The 0-60 mph acceleration is now in the low 5-second range, and it accomplishes the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds with a top speed of approximately 99 mph. The closest thing to a comparable for the WRX is the Lance Ralliart, so if you want to test-drive a comparison that would be the one. However, the Ralliart doesn't come close to matching those figures.

The 2009 Subaru WRX for sale also outperforms the Ralliart with the 265 horsepower and 244 pound-feet of torque that it's turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces. In addition, the turbo from the WRX STI gives the WRX a low- and mid-range potency to which the Ralliart pales in comparison. This is a much different experience from the 2008 turbo, which gave us just 224 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque. The only real complaint that people will have is that a sixth gear would have been a nice, but not critical, improvement for highway driving.

As always, the WRX sedan's styling is a unique one. Either it speaks to you, or it doesn't. There doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground in this regard. Some people don't like how the style downplays the handling and acceleration capabilities. However, people who love the Subaru WRX don't care about such things, and likely revel in it. The exterior isn't exactly boring after all. It boasts a graceful, sloping nose, and the aggressive hood scoop at least hints of the performance hidden under the hood.