Expert opinion
The Impreza WRX STI has come in many shapes, sizes and colours over the years (although admittedly many of those have been World Rally Blue with gold wheels). But some constants have remained: surging turbocharged acceleration, the unmistakable note of its flat-four boxer engine and oodles of four-wheel-drive traction and grip.
One of the key poster cars of the PlayStation generation, the Impreza WRX STI was initially introduced in the UK in 2002, with the rather unfortunately styled ‘Bugeye’ models. These had 265hp in standard form. The nose cycled through various restyles and power from the 2.5-litre flat-four rose to 280hp – with special editions such as the 320hp RB320 offering still more poke – until bowing out in 2007.
Its replacement was a hatchback and, despite the best efforts of its engine, it had gone a little soft and the interior felt dated from the get-go. The reintroduction in 2010 of the saloon helped, feeling like a return to its spiritual roots, but it wasn’t until the fourth-gen body of 2014 (which turned out to be the last hurrah for the model) that the STI got back its sharp looks and handling mojo.