2015 Subaru WRX First Drive

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2015 Subaru WRX Drive Details:

Subaru won’t offer 5-door hatchback this time around around, just 4-door sedan

New, more robust 2.0T engine is much smoother & responsive than outgoing 2.5T engine

CVT is surprisingly aggressive for an automatic transmission

Stiffer chassis and new Electronic Power Steering do much to improve handling

We’ve covered specs and features, and also brought the world premiere of the next generation Subaru WRX. The rally-inspired, high-performance 2015 model is all new basically through the ground up, together with aEverything is fine and dandy, but what we should really want to know is: how can it drive? To which Subaru responded, appear to Northern California during early December and we’ll allow you to take it for anyFirst, because those have changed somewhat in the outgoing WRX, let’s talk options and packages. While an STI version is incorporated in the cards, you will find no five-door hatchback or wagon this period around, Subaru deciding to focus all of its resources in the sedan making italready mentioned, the 2015 Rex is going to be available in either six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and the CVT has three different modes: Intelligent, a six-speed Sport mode and an eight-speed Sport Sharp mode. Paddle shifters are available for the autoThis is probably an excellent place to start with the hands-on evaluation, because we had been a bit astonished at how sorted out the WRX’s CVT is – good and aggressive when it must be. Forget the notion that a CVT is a slouch, because this one proves otherwise (we guess not too surprising when you stop and think how far similarly high-tech semi-auto gearboxes have come, a trend started by Euro automakers and carried on in models just like thea brand new 2.-liter direct injection turbocharged mill, a lump that replaces the outgoing 2.5L EJ engine and makes three more ponies (for 268 total) and 14 more pound feet of torque (for 258) with 500cc less displacement. From behind the steering wheel it is overall a much smoother and responsiveThis new car isn’t simply more powerful, though; indeed it might handle such as the dickens. A physically more rigid chassis structure helps the newest WRX be agile and precise – tighter, if you will – ultimately making the sedan more toss-able and fun to get. Paired with the platform’s new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system, plus the specially tuned suspension, therefore we swore we were driving the lighter, rear drive BRZ, it was so much fun. The newest WRX is without a doubt one of the better EPS cars out that you can buy.

2015 Subaru WRX steering wheel 2

2015 Subaru WRX gauges

2015 Subaru WRX digital instrument

From the driver’s seat it seemed like the cabin was hugely improved over the old Rex, feeling a lot more premium. Greater bolstering on the seats and the D shaped controls appealed to our own inner pilot, but we geeked the most on the dual gauge instrument layout. It features a 3.5-inch LCD central screen to display various functions including oil level, remaining washer fluid and selected gear ratio, plus a new multi-information central display with 4.3-inch LCD screen to supply a multitude of vehicle system functions, including a rear camera display, a boost gauge Bluetooth, audio, climate and displayperiod in the new WRX wasn’t all goodness and lightweight. We weren’t particularly big fans of the soft brake pedal, which is useful enough, but it would be nicer to have a pedal with some backbone to it for that added modicum of confidence when you wring the car out.

In spite of this, we can’t hate in the 2015 WRX. It’s a huge step higher than the third-gen. Rex, now feeling more like a refined automobile. Purists will miss the raw nature of past generation WRX’s, but the fun factor and soul remain there.

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