Topic: Comparison Test: All-Wheel Drive Compact Cars

[Autos_Editor]

Can Mitsubishi beat Subaru at its own game?

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[sailor723]

I really think the "new" smaller engined,CVT equipped Impreza is a step backwards for Subaru. I sure hope the ever increasing quest for fuel economy at all costs doesn't do to performance in today's cars what pollution controls did to cars in the 70's. Unfortunately, it looks like things might be moving that way.

[kenm]

Subaru goes the fuel-efficiency route with a 2.0L inline-four

This, from a hardcore Subie guy! 

[Mike]

Subaru goes the fuel-efficiency route with a 2.0L inline-four

This, from a hardcore Subie guy! 

I swear I had it different before.  I need to go change that 

[redman]

What I really liked about the Subaru of old was the stiffer body handling and the low end torque the 2.5 delivered. Maybe all this car needs is Toyota's D-4S injection system which uses both direct and port injection in the the BR-Z / FR-S ?

[hemusbull]

When these two could be compared as functionality, they are distantly away in terms reliability and quality. Subi is the winner with highes resale value and the nest reliability in long term altough Mitsu is better interms afordability as is available for financing with 0% for 84 months!

[2JDM]

I really think the "new" smaller engined,CVT equipped Impreza is a step backwards for Subaru. I sure hope the ever increasing quest for fuel economy at all costs doesn't do to performance in today's cars what pollution controls did to cars in the 70's. Unfortunately, it looks like things might be moving that way.

IMO, they reduced fuel consumption the easy way. Anyone can reduce fuel consumption by putting in a smaller engine, with less power.

[roundupready]

Great comparison review.

Personally, I'd still get the Impreza hatch back though.  But that's just my presonal preference. 

[Jaeger]

Good on Mitsu for swapping out the winter rubber.  Would have loved to have heard that conversation " You don't know what these people on the forum are like!" 

I agree that even though it is long in the tooth, the Mitsu is still the better looker.

I'll take my sporty compact sedan sans CVT.

Jaeger

[greengs]

Good on Mitsu for swapping out the winter rubber.  Would have loved to have heard that conversation " You don't know what these people on the forum are like!" 

I agree that even though it is long in the tooth, the Mitsu is still the better looker.

I'll take my sporty compact sedan sans CVT.

Jaeger

You can't.  The Lancer AWD only comes with CVT whereas the impreza can still be had with a manual transmission.

[jyarkony]

Subaru goes the fuel-efficiency route with a 2.0L inline-four

This, from a hardcore Subie guy! 

I swear I had it different before.  I need to go change that 

I thought it was a V-4???

your editor is asleep on the job... 

[cruzzer]

Thanks for an interesting comparison. The Lancer did better than I expected. In HP/LB the much more fuel efficient Subaru trails the more powerful Mitsubishi by a only 0.6 hp/lb (20.05 vs. 19.45. Maybe a worthwhile tradeoff as it looks like the Lancer would be using about two litres more gas per hundred km than the Impreza in AWD. Too bad about the CVT's, but otherwise a useful and informative comparison.

[Jaeger]

Good on Mitsu for swapping out the winter rubber.  Would have loved to have heard that conversation " You don't know what these people on the forum are like!" 

I agree that even though it is long in the tooth, the Mitsu is still the better looker.

I'll take my sporty compact sedan sans CVT.

Jaeger

You can't.  The Lancer AWD only comes with CVT whereas the impreza can still be had with a manual transmission.

Sure I can.  I just buy something without a CVT.  Easy peasy.  Never said I would buy the Lancer - I said it looked better.

Jaeger

[johngenx]

I slag on Subaru for their lousy dealers, but around here they seem amazing compared to the Mitsu dealers. I think Subaru is on the right path with the Impreza, as it needed to have better fuel economy but I worry that each new product has less character and more Toyota-ness to it. But, if the BRZ is any indication, maybe that is a good thing.

I'd love to see an Impreza Sport that notches way under the WRX and uses the new 200hp engine. If they can bring the BRZ to us for 27K, why not an existing platform hatch with that engine for the same or less?

I'd buy a 200hp awd Impreza for $25k way ahead of anything in the upper Civic/etc crowd.

[nbtoab]

A couple of years ago I decided to stick to posted speed limits when driving, crazy notion eh! But I have 15 and 18 yr old sons and wanted to impress upon them that driving the speed limit is not such a bad thing, especially since the new graduated license system in AB is harsh on young speedy drivers. But after a couple of years of this, I've noticed a few changes, a certain calmness prevails over my driving time even as driver after driver franticallly whizzes by me. And now, I'm considering a new vehicle, one offering the opportunity for my wife to use on occasion after 10 yrs of driving a manual trans, something she could never quite grasp. I've driven a couple of CVT equipped cars during my "posted speed limit phase" and found them decent enough. As most are installed in the name of fuel efficiency, no doubt they are here to stay. Maybe what you should have is a giant CVT equipped vehicle comparision and let us all know what's good out there and what to avoid.