The Inside

The interior is quiet enough at idle that one time I didn't even realize it was running. That's when I recognized Subaru finally seems to have licked this engine's chronic idle vibration. In this model and others, the turbo four previously exhibited a rough idle that caused the car to bounce gently but irritatingly when waiting at a stoplight.

Even back at the 2007 New York auto show, where we first saw the 2008 WRX, it was clear that its interior had been much improved — enriched and definitely up to date. The sport seats are comfortable and supportive, with modern tight-weave fabric and sky-blue stitching. The dashboard shares its overall design with other newish Subaru models. Though plentiful, the faux-metal trim is inoffensive, maybe even effective. The gauges are bright and supplemented by a centrally positioned display at the base of the windshield that includes stuff like a trip computer and clock. The optional navigation system is right below it — nice and high and with a touch-screen interface. Well done.

    See also:

    Emergency brake
    CAUTION Use the emergency brake only in case of an emergency. If the emergency brake is excessively used, the brake parts will wear down faster or the brake may not work sufficiently due to rear ...

    Cargo area light (Outback)
    1. Remove the lens by prying the edge of the lens with a flat-head screwdriver. 2. Pull the bulb out of the socket. 3. Install a new bulb. 4. Reinstall the lens. ...

    When you do not tow a trailer
    - Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube and insert the receiver cover onto the hitch receiver tube. - Place the dust cap over the four-pin connector of the hitch wire harness to ...