I’m looking for a used Subaru STI hatchback. Anything else I should be looking at? You’re going to say Evo, right? – Karl, Oshawa, Ont.
There are rivalries: Coke vs. Pepsi, Oilers vs. Flames. And then there’s STI vs. Evo. Or, if we want to use less cool full names, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The two Japanese car makers have been bitter rally-car rivals going back to the 1980s.
“Neither the Mitsubishi nor the Subaru was ever much faster than the other, or better looking, but the closer the cars drew, the more intense the rivalry between the two brands became,” Jalopnik’s Raphael Orlove said.
Rally rules mean auto makers have to make street versions – so these are race cars in street clothing.
For years, both were only available in Japan – Canadians could only officially drive the two while playing Gran Turismo on Playstation.
Subaru started selling the STI here in 2004. Thanks to strict Canadian bumper regulations, the Evo didn’t arrive until the 2008 model year.
If you want a hatchback, there’s a hitch. The Evo only comes with a trunk. And, 2014 was the last year Subaru offered a hatch for the STI.
Other options? Volkswagen has two hot hatches – the Golf GTI and the even peppier AWD Golf R. Cheaper? The WRX, the STI’s little brother, also turbocharged, delivers 265 horsepower and, at $33,395 new, was more than $5,000 less expensive than the STI. There’s also Mitsubishi’s Lancer Ralliart, which has a 237 horsepower engine and costs about $10,000 less new than the Evo.
2012 Subaru WRX STI
Third generation: 2007-2014
Average price for base: $31,584 (Canadian Black Book)
Transmission/drive: Six-speed manual/AWD
Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 14.2 city, 10.4 highway (premium)
Subaru released its fourth-generation Impreza for 2012, but the third-generation WRX and WRX STI stuck around until 2014.
“They're still quite fun to drive, boasting powerful turbocharged engines and slick handling at a low price,” Edmunds.com wrote in 2012. “The current STI has always been overshadowed by the Mitsubishi Evolution, but the regular WRX remains the quickest car in its class and quite the performance bargain.”
Compared with the WRX, the WRX STI “kicks it up a few more notches thanks to limited-slip differentials front and rear, powerful Brembo brakes, a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged rush of acceleration whenever the throttle is wide open,” Edmunds.com said.
The ride quality is “acceptable considering the available performance.” But, inside, there’s hard plastic, subpar fit and finish and frustrating touch-screen controls, Edmunds said. “Though these cars are great to drive, these compromises in cabin comfort affect your daily enjoyment.”
Consumer Reports said “WRX STI variants have long been among the most entertaining small cars on the market.” It doesn’t give reliability information for the STI specifically, but for 2012 it gave the Impreza an average rating for predicted used-car reliability. New, the 2012 WRX STI started at $39,095.
2012 Mitsubishi Evolution GSR
10th generation: 2008-2015
Average price for base: $30,774 (Canadian Black Book)
Transmission/drive: Five-speed manual /AWD
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 13.9 city, 10.3 highway (premium)
Mitsubishi uses Roman numerals to describe the Evo’s generations. The Evolution X is the first Evo available in Canada. It’s the peak of the Evolution’s evolution – Mitsubishi isn’t making it any more.
When Motor Trend tested the 2011 STI against a pricier 2010 Evo with dual-clutch automated manual transmission, the Evo won. “Though more civilized and powerful than its rival, the updated STI falls short in terms of driver entertainment,” it said.
“Though based on the regular Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, the Evolution is a performance car, thanks to its turbocharged engine, all-wheel-drive system, stiffer chassis, bigger brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and sporty body cladding,” Edmunds said. “The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution can certainly be counted among the cheap thrills group, and it also manages to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack.”
Consumer Reports lauded the Evo’s handling agility, steering, braking, acceleration and four-door practicality. But it complained about its “frenetic highway behaviour, stiff ride, raucous cabin, spartan interior and confining seats.”
The battery and subwoofer take up valuable trunk space, it said. And, the massive rear spoiler cuts rear visibility in half. Consumer Reports has no reliability information for the Evo. New, the Mitsubishi Evolution GSR started at $41,998.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article stated that the regular Subaru WRX isn't turbocharged. In fact, it is.