2013 Subaru Impreza WRX: One Last Look At An Icon

It didn’t take long for the Subaru WRX to become an affordable performance icon. Right from the time it was introduced in 2002, this Japanese rocket has been wooing young and old alike with its combination of turbocharged power, all-wheel drive, and a rally-inspired suspension. No, the boy-racer looks haven’t always been for everyone, and yes, the WRX has earned a reputation as having a powerful thirst for octane (or better) at the fuel pump, but the compact sedan and hatchback versions of Subaru’s best-known performance car have always struck a chord with a core group Canadian car buyers.

The 2013 Subaru WRX sedan is in many ways the final product of the car’s 10 years of evolution. With an all-new model on the way – one that promises to stray farther away from the WRX’s traditional Impreza-based roots – the current design is a last hurrah for a vehicle whose personality has shed its rougher edges and embraced a surprising level of day-to-day comfort and competence.

• Also: 2013 Subaru WRX STI: Almost Too Much Of A Good Thing
• Also: 2015 Subaru WRX STI: Track-Tested At Laguna Seca

Linear Turbocharged Power

Even after a decade on the market, the heart of the 2013 Subaru WRX remains the same: a small-displacement, turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission that feeds the 2.5-litre unit’s output to all four wheels. With 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft of torque on tap, the WRX is quicker than it was in any of its previous iterations. More importantly, the Subaru’s power delivery is now smoother than ever before, with the transition between the un-boosted, sub-3k rpm range and the sudden thrust of acceleration as the snail spools under the hood no longer featuring such a sharp delineation. Rather than feeling pokey at lower speeds, the WRX’s 2.5-liter engine is agreeable in almost every driving situation, with lag minimized as much as possible.

Naturally, it’s once the Subaru WRX has tipped into boost that it really comes alive. The turbocharged engine pulls strong right up to the top of its rev range, and it gets there fast enough to get you into trouble should any of the local constabulary witness your exhibition of speed. While the engine’s power delivery is definitely linear, the WRX’s manual shifter remains trapped in an earlier era, displaying a rubbery, long-throw feel and a distinct resistance to sliding into reverse during my time with the car.

Slick Handling In All Four Seasons

When the original Subaru WRX first came out, much was written about the understeer that came through as the all-wheel drive car’s most defining characteristic in the handling department. Those days, too, are gone, as the WRX is delightfully neutral given the fact that all four wheels are being driven by its engine. Steering response is also quick and relatively communicative, making it easy to point and shoot the Japanese sedan with confidence.

Although the WRX’s suspension has been setup to prize handling over coddling, I was quite happy with the level of comfort that the car had to offer when traveling over the rough-hewn city streets of Montreal. Even better was the lack of rattles and squeaks that sometimes accompany stiffer versions of economy-based performance cars. The WRX feels very solid whether you are out getting groceries or challenging yourself to shave a few tenths of a second off of your best lap time.

Base Model Is No Consolation Prize

Despite the fact that the 2013 Subaru WRX model that I drove came in base trim, I was pleasantly surprised by the vehicle’s interior layout and materials. Subaru is often criticized for its occasionally plain, and often spartan passenger compartments and feature sets, but despite the absence of anything other than a basic stereo and heated seats, the WRX felt almost perfectly outfitted. Its lack of interior flash – minus the very comfortable leather armrests on the door panels – were a perfect counterpoint to the aggressive aerodynamics, functional hood scoop, and quad exhaust tips that festooned the sedan’s body work, and felt appropriate to the automobile.

Interior room was also pleasantly generous, adding to the Subaru’s capabilities as a practical daily driver. In particular, I would like to single out the front seats, which are nicely formed to hold tight onto both forward occupants as the WRX hurtles through a corner - an unexpected bonus in the least expensive edition of the car.

Canada’s Compact Performance Car Of Choice

Let’s face it: when the snow starts to fly, no one wants to be caught spinning their high horsepower wheels. The 2013 Subaru WRX has become Canada’s compact performance car of choice almost by default – not just because as it represents one of the most appealing combinations of price and power in its segment, but also because of the all-wheel drive system that sets it apart from almost every other competitor.

With a heritage built on drifting sideways down snowy mountain roads, the WRX’s spiritual link to the Canadian winter couldn’t be stronger than if it had been designed right here in the Great White North. Throw in four doors and an aftermarket that is simply begging you to let it considerably amplify the car’s power via a simple ECU flash, and you’ve got a recipe for a cult – no, a religion – based around the Subaru WRX.