What do others think of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX?

A few weeks ago, the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. According to the many comments I’ve received on this blog, current Subaru owners and fans are quite disappointed by the new look and lack of performance upgrade. But what do other news source and blogs think of the new WRX? I’ve compiled a list of facts and opinions found on the internet since the beginning of the month.

What do others think of the new ‘rex?

Scoop has an interesting quote from Chris Rickards, the General Manager of Subaru of New Zealand: “More than 60 percent of Impreza purchases are either made by women or influenced by women. Increasingly we are finding women seeking style and performance as well as safety in their new car purchase.”

IGN says: “Subaru has never been known for making ‘pretty’ cars, and its latest ride – the 2008 Impreza WRX – is most certainly not a ‘looker’”. But then, no Impreza has ever been pretty. To be honest, every Impreza known to man has been more than a bit ugly, but just like you say to the hot cheerleader that won’t date your ugly ass, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

theage.com.au says: “While the WRX has been toned down to be more conservative in an effort to appeal to a different audience, Subaru insiders suggest the range-topping STi model will be more radical than ever. [...] The leaked images of the new hatchback-style Impreza model have already stirred debate on motoring forums, and the official pictures of the more conservative WRX range are guaranteed to polarise more opinions.”

Subdriven says: “Developed around the product concept of new, more refined designs for comfort, the latest Impreza incorporates sophisticated styling and rich interior design, roominess and space, and outstanding comfort and utility, while offering a pleasant and safe ride enhanced by Subaru Symmetrical AWD (All-Wheel drive) with the Horizontally-Opposed engine.”

Motor Trend, who was the first to leak pictures of the new car, says: “How does a kid racer mature without growing up? In the case of the Subaru Impreza WRX, it loses the fender flares and becomes a hot hatch, that Euroesque ideal of the small, fast, cheap car. And it becomes more liveable, more sophisticated. [...] Unfortunately, this first look at the new model-now a five-door hatchback as well as a four-door sedan-hitting showrooms in September doesn’t include a drive. The news is about everything but getting behind the wheel and flogging it sideways in the dirt or snow.”

Autoblog says: “It looks better in person than in photos, but we’re not yet ready to commit to, you know, actually liking it. Inside, the Impreza has a roomy feel, but the overall quality left us feeling a bit unsatisfied.”

Jalopnik says: “Subaru wiped the cosmoline off its new Subaru Impreza WRX, in the upcoming sedan configuration. It’s the one an informal survey of Jalopnik comments chose as the best looking of the new Impreza models. And it does look pretty good in three dimensions, if slightly more generic that its blocky predecessor.”

Auto123 says: “The new Subaru Impreza is here. Having lost its aggressive boyish good looks, the 2008 edition of the Impreza is now more mainstream and should actually attract more potential buyers. [...] Unfortunately, the engine choice are directly carried over from the previous car; too bad for those that were hoping for big power increases for the WRX.”

Mobile Magazine says: “Although I’ve never owned a Subaru myself, I’m a fan of the carmaker because of their sporty Imprezas (particularly the STi) evoke a great sense of power in a beautiful all-wheel-drive package. The newly unveiled 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX ditches the pig nose fascia found on the current model, replacing it with a wider, sleeker grille.”

Sunday Mirror says: “SUBARU took the wraps off their new WRX this week – and the four-door has to be the most handsome incarnation of the new Impreza line-up. With more than a hint of the BMW 3-Series, I particularly like its gaping bonnet scoop, and for once there’s a frontal aspect that isn’t going to frighten small children. [...] Die-hard Scooby fans may be disappointed, but I think this is absolutely the right way to go with the Impreza, moving its market away from a bad boy’s toy to a 30-something’s skateboard. In the process it’s bound to steal sales from the excellent but ubiquitous 3-Series.”

Hamilton Spectator doesn’t care about the appearance: “There has been some fan griping on the Internet about the bigger size and ‘Camry-like’ new look but most WRX aficionados, having gone through previous cosmetic makeovers, swear they don’t care what it looks like as long as it still rides, handles and performs like a WRX.”

New Zealand Herald thinks the new hatchback’s been designed with women in mind. “The five-door hatch is moving upmarket with a more stylish design to appeal more to women buyers and break into the European hatch market.”

Motor Authority says: “Subaru of America senior vice president Timothy Mahoney has told Ward’s Auto that most WRX fans have come to accept the new design. “The WRX is a really emotional product and it has a very loyal following,” he said. Mahoney then went on to explain that most people came around after seeing the car up close, referring to the 100-odd WRX enthusiasts that attended a special post-show event hosted by Subaru.”