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:

    Menu list of the Hands-free system
    Turn the “TUNE/TRACK/CH” dial to select a menu, and then press the dial to enter the selected menu. *: If a cell phone is not registered, the menu described in the chart is not indicated. ...

    Shift lock release
    If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the “ON” position then move the select lever to the “P” position with the brake pedal depressed. If the select lever doe ...

    Selecting preset stations
    Presetting a station with a preset button allows you to select that station in a single operation. Up to six AM, FM1, FM2 and FM3 stations each may be preset. ...