When Subaru introduced the STI in the U.S. for the 2004 model year, it did so using a four-door compact sedan with the subtlety of a ruffled hot-pink tuxedo. After all, with BBS alloy wheels and Brembo brake calipers painted a sparkly gold that could dress up a bass boat, a gaping hood scoop that could double as a badger den, and a giant rear wing that looked like the handle on Paul Bunyan's lunchbox, the STI didn't exactly blend into the automotive landscape. Nevertheless, it was blindingly quick, an absolute blast on a curvy road, and about as reliable as any ordinary Subaru, which is to say virtually bulletproof. Naturally, Subaru found plenty of enthusiastic takers. But as the STI's first generation neared the end of its lifecycle, Subaru was already hawking more mature versions; the 2007 Limited, for instance, came with silver BBS wheels, black Brembo calipers, and a low-profile lip spoiler.
For the second generation, which made its debut for 2008, Subaru took the STI's maturation to the next level, ditching the sedan body style in favor of a hatchback form and losing the humongous hood scoop and rear wing. Sure, the new four-door hatch still featured a scoop and a wing, just modestly sized. And despite functional side vents, bulging fenders, and larger 18-inch alloys, the hatch came across as understated in light of its predecessor.
Subaru, apparently, was serious about trying to attract European-brand customers with the STI, not to mention WRX owners aspiring for something more tenacious but less gaudy.
Curious to see how Motor Trend's discerning staff would accept this grown-up $35,640 pocket-rocket, we ordered one for our fleet, replete with the $3800 navigation/BBS wheels package, a $760 audio package that included satellite radio, and a $404 equipment group with an auto-dimming rearview. All said and done, our STI carried a pricetag of $40,612. Sure, that's extravagant for a Subaru but not unwarranted, what with the STI's impressive equipment list: 305-horse turbo flat-four, handbuilt six-speed manual, Brembo brakes, forged 18-inch wheels, Dunlop summer tires, HID headlamps, leather/Alcantara interior, and all-wheel drive with a Driver Controlled Center Differential that offers three auto and six manual settings as well as front helical and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials. Plus, the STI fills a test sheet with daunting data: 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds, the quarter mile in 13.5 at 100.6 mph, 60 to 0 in 109 feet, and lateral acceleration of 0.90 g.
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