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FORESTER
Base price: $25,794

The Forester grew and changed for the 2009 model year, though the standard all-wheel-drive system remains — as AWD does in all Subaru models. The interior is spacious and practical, the exterior a pleasant, inoffensive design.

The new Forester is one of Subaru Canada's core vehicles. It has good fuel economy for an AWD crossover wagon. The base engine is a 170-horsepower, 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed boxer engine with five-speed manual transmission. A more powerful Forester comes with a turbocharged engine producing 224 horsepower.

It competes with other small five-seat crossover wagons such as the Dodge Journey, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix.

The Forester is a pleasant family ride. It has decent car room and comfortable seats. The suspension absorbs bumps smoothly, but the tall wagon is prone to roll in quick manoeuvres. Wind and road noise are noticeable at highway speed.

Over all, the Forester is a roomy, fuel-efficient and practical vehicle.

IMPREZA
Base price: $21,895

The Impreza is a simple, sensible, pleasant hatchback with all-wheel-drive, decent fuel economy, comfortable seats and relatively good people space.

The recently redesigned Impreza is a lot of (AWD) car for a fair price. It is well equipped and the reliability story is good. The sub-$22,000 base price is a strong point, as well.

Subaru has put a lot of attention into details that might get overlooked. For instance, the air conditioning has a filtration system and that is welcome where pollen is heavy in the warmer months. The hood is held open by little shock-absorber-style struts, not a prop rod. Those in the back seat get heat vents and they are welcome in the winter.

The engine is a 2.5-litre "boxer" four-cylinder rated at 170 horsepower. A five-speed manual is standard. All in all, a solid all-around compact entry.

WRX STi
Base price: $39,995

The cult faithful love this five-door hatchback. This car is a 305-horsepower, rib-bruising, all-wheel-drive samurai drive. It's fast, it corners and it hugs the pavement like few others at this price or any price. That engine under the mono-nostril hood is a flat-four boxer-type with a turbocharger and intercooler. It's a monster.

This latest STi is more refined than the previous generation. It's fast, but won't destroy you with harshness in your everyday commute. The ride is firm, though, so you'll need to be serious about performance and potential performance, or this car won't be for you.

The STi's signature technology is its suite of electronic interventions. The controls for them are clustered in the centre console between the front seats.

First, there's the throttle-mapping control — called SI-Drive — which allows drivers to choose between "sport," "sharp" and "intelligent." "Intelligent" mode gives the car a lazy, fuel-saving character, while "sharp" gives the car a wingy, zingy character.

The traction and stability control also has three modes: on, off, and sport, which lowers the computer's intervention level.

Finally, the Driver-Controlled Centre Differential allows drivers to dial in the precise degree of torque split between the front and rear axle, anywhere from full rear bias (59 per cent) to a 50-50 fore-aft split.

All very serious.