2012 Subaru Impreza WRX Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Impreza WRX, and includes Subaru WRX safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

When a Subaru Impreza wears a WRX or STI badge, it signals something special: rally-bred performance. The WRX is the standard model, and the WRX STI is the insanity-on-wheels model. Hatchback and sedan body styles are available, and this review pertains to the hatchback variant.

This year, the carryover Impreza WRX and WRX STI diverge from the redesigned standard Impreza. Subaru intends to separate the WRX models from the Impreza lineup, but in the interim the WRXs will continue on the old Impreza platform. In addition to this change in strategy, a new optional touch-screen navigation and audio system debuts for 2012, equipped with real-time traffic reports, SMS text messaging capability, HD Radio, satellite radio, iPod compatibility, and iTunes tagging.

The Subaru Impreza WRX Hatchback is offered in base, Premium, Limited, and STI trim levels. Standard equipment on the base WRX includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, summer performance tires, continuous AWD with a viscous coupling center locking differential, a sport-tuned suspension, and a five-speed manual gearbox with Incline Start Assist bolted to a turbocharged 265-horsepower engine. An STI-derived wide-body appearance is also included, along with a functional hood scoop, quad exhaust outlets, and, on hatchback models, clear-lens taillights, a rear roof spoiler, and a rear diffuser panel.

Inside, the WRX gets performance seats wrapped in checkered black cloth with red stitching, as well as automatic climate control, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, power windows, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, and cruise control. The six-speaker stereo includes a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio input jack, satellite radio, a USB port, and iPod compatibility, and the WRX is equipped with Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming. Additional features include a 60/40-split folding rear seatback, carpeted floor mats, aluminum pedals with rubber grips, electroluminescent gauges, an outside temperature indicator, and auto-off headlights. Hatchbacks also have a cargo cover, a cargo area light, cargo tie-down hooks, and a rear wiper and washer.

Move up to the WRX Premium and you’ll receive front fog lights, a power moonroof, and an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The WRX Limited adds to this with leather seats and HID headlights. The new touch-screen navigation radio system is exclusively available as an option on the Premium and Limited models.

If you determine that you require the 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque available in the WRX STI, and you have the $10,500 required for the upgrade, you’ll also receive numerous performance-enhancing pieces of hardware.

A six-speed manual transmission headlines the long list of features, which includes 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in 245/40 Dunlop SP Sport 600 performance tires, Brembo performance brakes with a Super Sport ABS system, a Subaru Intelligent Drive system that calibrates the STI’s engine response to three different modes, a Driver Controlled Center Differential with three automatic modes and six driver-selectable manual settings, a helical limited-slip front differential, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and a high-performance STI-tuned suspension with inverted front struts and double-wishbone rear underpinnings. The WRX STI’s structural and suspension components are reinforced, a quick-ratio steering system is installed, and this model gets a multi-mode version of Vehicle Dynamics Control. Additionally, functional brake cooling scoops and engine cooling vents are included, along with HID headlights and a front lip spoiler.

That’s not all you’re getting for your money. The WRX STI also has Alcantara upholstery, leather seat bolsters, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a unique STI three-spoke sport steering wheel. Subaru offers its new touch-screen navigation and radio as an option on the STI model.

If you’d like to further personalize your new WRX, Subaru dealers offers a long list of optional accessories. Highlights include an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a HomeLink universal remote, fog lights, and an upgraded speaker system.

Aside from its racy bodywork, what makes the Impreza WRX special is what’s installed under the hood. Two flavors of a turbocharged, 2.5-liter, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine – powerful and more powerful – are available.

In the standard WRX, that amounts to 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 244 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Premium fuel is required, and the WRX is equipped solely with a five-speed manual gearbox. An automatic transmission is not available at any price. Fuel economy measures 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The standard WRX is also equipped with an all-wheel-drive system that splits power evenly between the front and rear wheels, and can automatically direct up to 100 percent of the power to the front or rear wheels as necessary.

The WRX STI is an entirely different beast. In addition to a long list of hardware upgrades designed to maximize performance, the WRX STI cranks 305 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, distributing power to an exceptionally sophisticated all-wheel-drive system through a six-speed manual transmission. The STI requires premium gasoline, and is rated to get 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

What constitutes “exceptionally sophisticated?” The WRX STI’s multi-mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) all-wheel-drive system automatically distributes engine torque depending on steering angle, throttle position, engine rpm, wheel speed, yaw rate, cornering force, braking, and wheel slippage to optimize power delivery front-to-rear and side-to-side. The DCCD system also provides six driver-selectable torque distribution rates for manual control under certain circumstances.

Every Subaru is designed around what the automaker calls its Ring-Shaped Frame Reinforcement body structure, which is engineered to deflect crash energy away from the passenger compartment in a collision. In addition, the WRX is equipped with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, a Vehicle Dynamics Control stability control system, traction control, and six airbags. The WRX STI receives ventilated disc brakes at all four corners, and a multi-mode version of Vehicle Dynamics Control.

If you’re wondering what happens to the 2012 Subaru WRX in a crash, well, we are, too. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed crash tests on this vehicle, though the IIHS called the standard previous-generation Impreza upon which this model is based a Top Safety Pick.

Reliability predictions are favorable, if not great. Consumer Reports thinks the WRX lineup will prove average with regard to long-term reliability. J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked the entire Impreza family when making its most recent prediction, said these Subarus are likely to provide slightly better than average dependability over time.

The Subaru WRX’s wide-body styling, wider track, bigger wheels and performance tires, and firmer rear sub-frame bushings debuted in 2011, giving this more affordable Subaru performance machine a more aggressive look for greater appeal, and more credible handling. At that same time, the WRX STI received higher-rate springs, thicker front and rear stabilizer bars, and revised suspension bushings.

A Subaru hallmark, the WRX’s horizontally opposed engine design is also known as a Boxer engine for the way the pistons jab outward toward the sides of the vehicle like a fighter’s fists, or as a “flat” engine because the cylinders lay flat rather than vertically or in a V-shaped arrangement. The only other automaker to use this type of engine is Porsche.

Subaru says the WRX STI employs solid engine mounts to minimize engine movement, inverted front struts for higher bending resistance, aluminum front lower L-arms to reduce unsprung weight, and a nitride-hardened crankshaft. Additionally, the WRX STI’s Super Sport antilock braking system can control braking at each individual rear wheel to reduce understeer, and the STI breathes freer thanks to a high-flow rear catalytic converter and a low back-pressure muffler.

The WRX’s turbocharger produces 14.2 PSI of boost, while the WRX STI’s turbo generates 14.7 PSI.

If you’re interested in tempting fate, the WRX STI’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system can be completely disengaged.

For some reason, Subaru explains cargo space by using the number of Tour-size golf bags that will fit in the cargo area (two for the WRX Hatchback). Yeah. Like any self-respecting WRX owner is gonna tote golf bags.

The Subaru WRX and WRX STI are tools designed to maximize acceleration, handling, and braking regardless of road surface conditions. These are highly specialized automobiles, brilliant at what they do best, and lousy for 95 percent of the people, 95 percent of the time. But for that other five percent, wow.

-- By Christian Wardlaw