Exciting drive

The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine may also play a role in injecting "go-fast" into your blood. The engine creates 265 horsepower and 244 pound-feet of torque, which for a car that weighs 3,200 pounds is more than enough juice. The WRX loves to be flogged and pushed through decreasing radius turns.

Rarely do work commutes leave a little sweat streaming down your back, but the WRX lets you hop out of the car a little more excited than when you got into it.

Even the five-speed manual offers quick throws and makes you drive with a little more enthusiasm. Drivers use manuals. A six-speed may have helped the car's mileage, though, which at 19 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway are middle of the road at best.

But that's just one of the give and takes with any car. Want great performance? What are you willing to give up?

    See also:

    Control panel
    1) Fan speed control dial 2) Temperature control dial 3) Airflow control buttons 4) Air conditioner button 5) Air inlet selection button 6) Rear window defogger button (Refer to “Defogger and d ...

    Seek tuning (SEEK)
    If you press the “” or “” side of the “SEEK” button briefly, the radio will automatically search for a receivable station and stop at the first one it finds. This function may not be available, ...

    Conditions in which front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is not activated
    The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag will not be activated when any of the following conditions are met regarding the front passenger’s seat: ● The seat is empty. ● The seat is equ ...