If you happen to live under a rock, or have spent the last two years stuck in front of your TV binge-watching Netflix as the real world passes by, you might not be aware the small to midsize four-door sedan market has officially been declared dead by the automotive know-it-alls. It seems everyone is crazy for small to midsize CUV’s and SUV’s, leaving a lot of great new vehicles such as the 2017 Mazda3 and Canada’s current top seller, the Honda Civic (in sedan form) working overtime to hold market share. It’s a shame; do all of us really go off-road on a regular basis? Maybe higher fuel prices would help not only Alberta rebound, but wake up the world to the value of a great 4-door sedan. Not that I want to see higher prices at the pumps!
2016 Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX
On that note, the 2016 Subaru WRX was an automatic choice for my favourite rides of Christmas. It is comfortable, roomy, looks amazing and can, unlike many of today’s pseudo CUV off-roaders, go almost anywhere you want. It’s a Subaru! You know, symmetrical full-time AWD, one of, if not, the best get-me-there-and-back-again systems on the planet. Wrapped in bright red with a plush black interior, this is really all the car anyone needs. Ok, maybe the STi would be nice, but it is somewhat hard on the kidneys and I will gladly take a little extra comfort to go along with the sporty good looks of the WRX.
A 2.0-litre DOHC 4-cylinder Subaru BOXER engine with twin-scroll turbocharger develops 268 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000-5,200 rpm. Matched to a CVT transmission, this allows the WRX equipped with the Sport Tech Package to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Top speed reaches a more than adequate 240 km/h.
Inside, the WRX is both business suit and rally jacket enthusiast. Getting behind the wheel, a sense of invincibility takes over as images of real off-road racing with Subaru’s signature blue and yellow racers from the past flashing through my mind. Reality hits hard and I realize the only adventure on my schedule today is to pick up groceries and stop by the dry cleaner. No worries, the 2016 Subaru WRX can handle this as well, and surprise-surprise, I can do it all from the comfy confines of a fuel efficient four-door sedan. Isn’t technology amazing!
Hey Santa, forget about trading in that old sleigh with 8 tiny reindeer power, plus one, for a midsize CUV. This should be your new ride!
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