I wish someone would put a 2.5L supercharged flat-6 or V6 in a car. Good economy, fair reliability if produced by Toyota or Subaru, and some potential for power. I have subscribed to your channel and view your videos daily. Keep up the great work!
It's not profitable to make fun car for Japanese manufacture. Japan's domestic market have very little demand for expensive or sport car. Mitsubishi without large fund like Subaru have quit making unprofitable cars long ago. 182ps is more than enough but 2.5 in unnecessary and fuel economy is always bad in Subaru, like they haven't update their engine for decades.
Hate to break it to everyone, but the old GC 2.5RS was a 165bhp single cam, naturally aspirated Impreza with an appearance package that made it look like it was something special and was famous for its head gasket failures. The GD 2.5RS was literally the base model. Anyone who expected this to be special is special themselves. The only advantage to the old ones: manual transmission. That’s it.
Yeah, the mythology around the 2.5RS badge is weird. I had an '04 "2.5RS." You could tell someone you had a 2004 Impreza 2.5RS and they'd go "Oh, cool!" so long as they didn't know that EVERY 2004 Impreza was a "2.5RS." Now, I really liked that car and thought it was pretty fun to drive, but the driving experience was no sexier than any Outback Sport or Impreza 2.5i in later years. Subaru itself didn't really hold that badge in super high regard 20 years ago, since they were slapping it on every NA base model. Why should we?
@@ryanblack9308 exactly. And the only reason the GC8 2.5RS is considered “special” is because it’s a great chassis to WRX or STi swap, which essentially means the original motor/drivetrain was crap, and needs to be changed to be something better. Even when compared to its competition back in the day, it was mid to back of the pack. We had the Eclipse GS-T/GSX, Integra GSR/Type R, Civic Si, Mazda MX-6, and a bunch of others. The Subaru may have looked the part, but wasn’t anything that wowed the market… and the valve cover gasket jokes stem from the engine in that car.
This is why i quite this channel a long time ago. They just play up the vids for the preconceptions of their teenage audiences; it's not about whether or not the car is good in it's own right for its intended purpose.
The 90s 2.5rs was commonly swapped with a wrx motor, hence the reputation. Additionally, even in stock form, it was extremely light for an AWD car (believe they were under 3000 lbs at one point). Not a fast car, but very fun to drive.
@Brian_Eugene_Leecvt’s are universally awful and make everything miserable. They’re the biggest waste of R&D that auto manufacturers have ever done. Nothing but problems, more expensive and worse to drive.
Toyota has eCVT mostly and that is a different setup and way more reliable than regular cvts.. and new gen toyotas will be switching to automatics even on hybrids.
I’m not even incredibly mad about the HP and torque figures, but the CVT was a huge misstep. That said, the engine from the brz would have really sealed the deal.
If you need to accelerate quickly buy a plane ticket to Japan and ride the Shinkansen. Or even ride BART in northern California up Highway 24, passing every car.
@@sleveille44we will never get another A960E ever again(unless suabru for some reason decides to dump the cvt they have been pumping money into for decades)
Except that the 2024 RS’ 0-60 times are comparable, if not quicker, than those older RS’. Go take a look at the Motor Week road test of the older RS’….0-60 times are anywhere from 7.8 to 8.2 seconds. Meanwhile, Redline Review was able to get the 2024 to go from 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds in two separate runs.
RS for "really slow" gave me a good chuckle. Wild that they got rid of the leather seats. The 2017 Impreza right after refresh + Carplay was the first car I bought with my own money.
Got it, love it. Car is plenty fast enough and handles great, really holds the road. Also great interior room for both passengers and cargo. Big center screen is very nice.
This channel used to be about cars for the average person but it isn't anymore. Anytime they "review" an average car it's full of complaining that it's not a 100k+ car they're in.
Yuri and Jakub lounging during the launches is one of the funniest things in reviews I've seen in a while. This review was honest and super funny cause marketing be marketing
It handled better than most average cars, costs less then most fwd cars and gets decent fuel mileage. It’s a sporty car, a awd alternative to a Corolla hatchback. I think everyone forgets how the old rs used to drive they weren’t high performance cars either they were slow but fun to drive.
@@ConfirmedPatriot my tuned 1.8 VW makes 250hp to the wheels…. The war on oil IS NOT THE PROBLEM 😂😂 They just don’t give a shit about the performance aspect of their image which is just silly and sad because honestly other than that Subarus don’t really have very many redeemable qualities.
And it's still a 2.5 but more power and efficiency and weighs alot more because of safety. What wrong? It's a cheap car. Yes they could add a quicker mother and pass the cost downy to you but then not many people would want to pay 35k for this car.
I don't know but I am a sucker for a hatchback and the RS has never been fast let's be honest, so I kind of like this. Although I already have a STi so i'm looking at this as more of a daily driver get around town.
Test drove this and ended up getting an outgoing 2023 solely because of the infotainment. Was also able to negotiate a chunk off because it was chilling on the lot right next to the 24s
In a dream world this would share the brz 2.4 228 hp and 6 speed awd. Even with open Differentials. It would be worthy of the 2.5rs nameplate and kinda be the "smart" subaru alternative to the crosstrek or brz for the younger buyer who needed a do everything vehicle.... I have no idea where subaru dropped the ball..
As an owner of a 2020 Impreza w/manual I 100% agree with you. 150hp is not fast, and "upgrading" to 180hp is a joke. 220 would feel great in this car tho. And I plan to swap the engine for the BRZ someday after the warranty expires (and maybe throw in the STI transmission too) and make it a proper RS
Probably because Subarus 2.4 in the brz shares components with Toyota and likely can’t use it. Also a high revving 2.4l N/A engine in this configuration would likely be identical to cost to the wrx. Honestly wish that Subaru offered this 2.5 with a manual from outta the wrx and that would be good enough. Subaru doesn’t need to make the rs a performance vehicle because they will sell you a wrx if you want more power
Finally someone made an objective review of this car. I have a Subaru and I think I went for this brand the last time in my life. Over here in Europe, they don't offer turbo engines anymore. The NA ones are slow and sluggish. The huge touchpad is a misstep. And the rest of the car(s)? As my wife says: "They look like random cars". The design is just too generic. Perhaps the only Subie I'd consider is the Outback, but it's price makes me think of other brands. Aside from that, look at what Mazda does, Honda... even Toyota is upping their game both tech and design wise, while Subaru is still trying to get you drunk over an "RS" badge that means absolutely nothing (new). Perhaps "Really Slow". Well said 👍🏼 Unless you want a commuter with AWD as standard, you have no other reason to buy one.
@@tonyzhu403 Nope, it's not. We only had the wrx sti previous gen, but... not the new one, at all. In fact, we still have the prev gen crosstrek on sale, we still have the pre-facelift outback on sale. No Legacy for years... Though we have a thing called e-boxer (a mild hybrid).
Yeah, Europe is 2 years behind NA models and stuff, it's same year but models are older. I feel like Subaru will come back in a few years since CEO changed, but who knows.
@@cridery1055 Let's see. I wish to see Subaru on par with other Japanese brands. Yes their AWD is one of the best, but everything else isss... I don't know, grey zone to me.
@@Tibchy91 That's unfortunate. I know Oceania got a WRX Wagon, which is pretty cool. Although CVT only, which is dumb. Europe is big on Diesel, and I don't think Subaru is competing in that space at all. And it doesn't snow that much in the majority of Europe, so the AWD seems to be a bit of a waste. I would go with the Mazda 6 Wagon if I was living in Europe. Love to have a wagon, too bad they aren't popular or available in Canada.
I really don't understand the hate. I drive my buddy's 2019 impreza 2.0 cvt, he's done the charcoal filter delete and put in an upgraded pitch stop mount, and it doesn't even struggle to move, it feels very light and zippy, the handling is insane. My 2011 impreza 2.5i had the worst handling ever, it took corners like a boat and the ride quality felt like a van. The armchair reviewers need to get into one of these an actually drive it, it's hilarious. These cars simply don't like it when you go foot to the floor from a stand still. They really respond better when they're moving, and I haven't had an issues passing people or pushing into the limit in the corners, it's insanely well done for a stock car.
it's not an RS without a fake hood scoop. I once read a review of the OG RS that described the 'scoop' as both as functional and attractive as taping a brick to the hood. classic Subie!
Paying under 25K for this is actually not a bad option. Sure it's not great but realistically if you need a winter car to pile on the mileage while driving through snow? This will probably get the job done.
The cvt really just ruins all Subaru’s that have it. I would be curious to know what kind of efficiency could be had with a modern 8 speed torque converter auto or even a dct.
@@kaktusgoreng When Carvana offered me $6,000 above what I paid for my '21 Crosstrek Sport, I considered the Mazda 3 hatchback. Nope....too claustrophobic of an interior. Keep my Crosstrek and never looked back.
OK I’m six minutes in so I can’t speak for the rest of the video yet I will finish it I swear, but the beginning of this is the best so far, guys clearly enjoying yourselves. Please keep it coming.
As someone who had a '99 2.5RS coupe and a few other Subaru 2.5s, the CVT is smoother and sportier than the old 4 speed AT with OD they used to put in everything. 2.5RSs were never fast, they looked awesome tho.
@@jonlosito2004see a lot of them for sale in Canada with over 300k kms on them all original which is better than I can say about a lot of other vehicles
Once upon a time we had the impreza sti hatchback, one of the coolest looking sti to me, now a similar GR corolla costs 60-70k. And Subaru is calling this a RS, what a sad world we are living in.
Everyone wants one but no one buys them when they are available. Look at the number of manual Impreza/Crosstrek sold for the previous gen. You all want manuals but no one buys them. 😂
If you just think of it as a decent looking comfortable commuter car then I think it's fine. Calling it an RS gave people an expectation that it just won't live up to. They should have just made the 2.5L an optional upgrade on all Impreza's. Or even just keep the 2.0 and make it a turbo for the RS model.
3:18 we will NOT STAND for the black wheel hate on this channel. There are many of us - dare I say hundreds! - who love our black wheels! BWC (black wheel crew) unite!!!
I've been saying since they announced the 2.5 RS that it should have gotten 200hp and 182lbft of torque and a 6speed manual option. But instead Subaru just decided to make a buzz word car. Maybe some minor modifications might make it better like a stiffer pitch stop mount and other stiffer drive train mounts and you'd definitely need to remove the very restrictive carbon filter out of the air intake. It's like they tried to make the Impreza cool again but instead released the WRXs slow anemic brother
I wonder if anyone would care about a small performance bump vs an appearance package. Maybe a few, but I don't think anyone is really looking for an Impreza with somewhat sharper handling and a tad faster. Still, dozens of us would like it...
@@deansmits006 it's more the fact that the 2.5 RS is supposed be and was in the past the more performance oriented N/A Impreza, not quite WRX levels of performance but still performance oriented. The new 2.5 RS barely even got a 20hp bump in power from the GD 2.5 RS so it's understandable that N/A Impreza enthusiasts would be a little disappointed in what Subaru is giving us with the new Generation 2.5 RS model the power numbers would be as disappointing if they gave it a little more driving engagement by offering it with a manual option and an actual hand brake instead of an electric parking brake.also sharper handling is always better but if the RS gets decent aftermarket support any enthusiast that buys one will make it happen, with thicker sway bars and end links and other upgraded suspension components. I also mentioned stiffer drivetrain mount pitch stop,engine mount,etc. those don't really effect handling they reduce drivetrain loss so more power gets to the wheels and also increases throttle response. Just my opinion though. Obviously some people will still buy it. Subaru just didn't need to slap the RS badge on it they could have just sold it as a regular Impreza with the FB25 in it and the offered the SPT as the performance package instead of watering down the RS pedigree us rally fans know and love. Again just my opinion
Subaru has been a huge sales success lately. Not sure how anyone thinks a corolla competitor Impreza is gonna be fun? Subaru will literally sell you a manual base WRX for $1000 more than this RS costs in Canada. BRZ slightly more. They can’t make every single car in their lineup a manual with a turbo. 😂 It would ruin their bottom line.
It doesn't even need a turbo, just a more engaging transmission. Even the old 5 speed slushboxes Subaru used to use would be better than this CVT, and probably more reliable.
@@flurpoid doubt it. You dont seem to understand that turbo engines are not more reliable typically than non-turbo engines. Subaru is known for reliability for everything except the transmission after 100k miles.
the "all that safety stuff" can be a double-edged sword though. because according to a friend who has a subaru, the car almost never shuts up so he just set anything that can be turned off to off and whatever that can't be to minimum.
Been buying new cars since early 2000s. Subarus were never fun to drive. (WRX/STI/BRZ being the exception) Even WRX going back to those days drove poorly with lots of power. Today Subaru has one of the most fun cars on the road - BRZ. Impreza RS is a base Corolla competitor in my mind.
Nothing wrong with a pedestrian driver as long as they don’t sell it as a sport/performance model. Subaru should have given this hatch the WRX treatment instead of that weird sedan.
Subaru has been very reluctant using the FA20D or even the FA24D on any of their cars. For some reason, they do not want to use direct & port injection in their line up (D-4S) and only use their in-house direct injection engines. Sadly it is a misstep to not offer this in a manual but I assume they expected sales numbers to be low and did not want to spend money on a manual spec noone would buy.
The FA24 engines on GR86 and BRZ are having multiple reports about oil sealant issues where it could melt and block the oil squirting process causing premature oil starving, rendering the engines inoperable
@@baoquoc3710 The FA24 issues are NOT about port injection and more about design flaws with the oil lubrication system. Some evidence that leads to this conclusion is FA20 (both DIT and D) has significant oil pressure drop issues HOWEVER not to the same degree as the FA24. FA24 issues are less about the excess RTV sealant stuck in the oil strainer (manufacturing issue) and inherent design flaws in the oil lubrication system. Seeing how ONLY right hand turns causes significant oil pressure drop (below nominal 60 psi value). One (1) youtube video who did some testing suggest the oil pickup tube configuration, placed closer to the passenger side, is causing this issue. When taking right hand turns, the oil sloshes away from the pick up tube hence oil starvation. So no, port injection is the cause of oil starvation. Further research and testing is required to confirm the reasoning behind these oil pressure losses.
So it would cost the same as a wrx? Like seriously the 2.4l is an expensive engine just put a manual in this and watch people buy it. MT got 0-60 in 7.4 seconds which puts it around the same as a civic turbo or a n/a Mazda 3 awd. So honestly it’s literally a civic or Mazda 3 competitor. The old rs were slow and weren’t anything special so why does everyone expect this to be a WRX but without a turbo?
So, for the bluetooth delay on Android Auto (wireless) I had the same issue with my RAV4. There is a way to fix that audio delay. Go to settings, about phone, tap build until developer mode comes on. Then, in developer mode, scroll down to Bluetooth audio codec And change it to something that works (mine is set to "SBC")
I test drove a Crosstrek once. I gunned it pulling out onto a road with a high speed limit. I had the pedal to the floor and my mind was telling me to push the throttle more. I went a bought a Hyundai Elantra GT, and I am not disappointed.
@@jasonmoyer You're correct. .4 of a second slower from 0 to 60. In 2018 the Crosstrek did not have a 2.5. In 2018 the claims were 9.1 seconds for 0 to 60, however, some car reviewers claimed it was closer to ten seconds. Both of these cars are slow. my point is, the Crosstrek feels slow.
Was really excited when this came out. Test drove it and was disappointed. I was coming from a 2014 Forester XT, which had way more kick. Ended up going with a WRX, which I couldn’t be happier with. So thanks RS?
You are comparing a Forester XT to the Impreza RS? You have almost 70 horsepower more than the Impreza RS....that's like comparing an orange to an apple. At least the Impreza is a safer car.
So true, I am in Montreal and I drive à ‘Rolla in good conditions. Had me some Bridgestones for winter. Never got stuck in the snow I drive from Vaudreuil yo Mtl everday. Was thinking about changing after watching this video may be I will keep it for one more year.
Personally I really like the looks of the RS, and the power would be fine with me, seeing that my current car has 138 hp / 148 ft-lbs torque and is (I believe) a bit heavier than this. The killer for me would be: for this price, roughly $29,500 for an RS w/o sunroof pkg or roughly $32,000 with said option (U.S.) I can get a decently equipped Toyota Camry, or a new Toyota Prius with some options. Getting much better fuel economy, tho maybe lacking a bit in hatchback practicality. Could also get a base Mazda3, a regular Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla/Corolla Hatch/Corolla hybrid for a bit less expense.
Not every car has to be a purpose built rocket ship. After all it is an Impreza. Entry model Subaru. It’s a HP boost over the Impreza. This is an affordable car with utility & more performance than the non RS. I’d personally take this over a $1,000 a month car payment.
Honestly 23k in this economy is actually really good. Id still prefer a mazda 3 over this but it's definitely a good option if you want something cheap but comfortable.
I know they did the Canada dollars to Freedom dollars conversion just to give viewers an idea but an RS ain’t no $23k in the US. This is a $30k-$31k car in the US. The only reason this thing makes sense in the US from a value standpoint is because Civics are still marked up to the moon.
This is a commuter vehicle for normal not sport car people. You guys really need to work on taking this sport car bias out of normal vehicles. It comes off real bad and you have since lost my subscription because of it. Not trying to be mean, but making fun of an affordable car for not being a 40k STI is just rude and ignorant.
I never understood people knocking CVTs for the engine going to its perfect RPM at its perfect torque curve. Knock it for reliability sure but not for producing the most power with the least amount of fuel. It's like saying, "I hate my snowmobile for staying at one RPM when I put my thumb constantly on the throttle." We need to change our thinking about what an engine should sound like, not engineers who spent years testing and millions in R&D to come up with the lightest and most fuel efficient design currently possible.
Everything new gets hate. Imagine if reddit was around when automatic transmissions started infiltrating the market. People eventually get used to, and appreciate the technology advancements. It just takes time.
To be fair, carmakers have been in the business of disappointment for a long time. RX-8, NSX, CR-Z, Caliber SRT-4, Chevy SSR, Mk3 GTI, previous gen 3-series, Blazer, NC Miata, 2nd gen Mazda6, Nissan as a whole from late 90's to today, Eclipse...
@@basedkat09 So-called "enthusiasts" just talk or post in the comment section....it's cheaper than buying a new car. Other people, i.e. non-enthusiasts, actually go out and spend their money on new cars. As a result, sales of the new Impreza increased over 39% in June 2023 and one 25% in July 2023 when compared to the same months in 2022.
Rather than making fun of subaru, the 2 of you should be appreciating subaru's efforts to keep their cars affordable for your viewers. There are so many things that impreza does better than mazda 3.
@@stevemarteganiThe Impreza Sport was a thing before being dropped in favor of RS. The RS trim feels like it's overselling alleged sportiness to a demographic that likely doesn't care, whereas "Sport" seems more earnestly pedestrian with its intent.
I don't own one but I used to sell them the mass following is because of the built-in roll cage on every Subaru the symmetrical all-wheel drive that one hundred percent eliminates any torque steer under any condition and the fact that they will last mechanically longer than most anything else on the planet
@@danielkiss7003I think it’s just been helping little old ladies in the snow for the past 30 years and that’s what’s keeping them around. That and the “hippies” who need to go off-road to go camping in the minimal ground clearance crosstrek.
Everything Subaru makes is a let down. I mean look at the competition… how are they still in business? Other than having AWD to makeup for your lack of driver skill I don’t know why you’d buy this. Those heated seat switches look like they’re out of a car from the 90s. The list goes on. For $31,000 you might as well buy a Kia Seltos or Mazda CX5 and get a way better car and warranty.
Thanks for the vid guys - good call, just an econo-hatch with an appearance package. Kinda like the badging Chevy uses. And it's not a bad looking and useful little rig.
We bought a 2017 Subaru Forester XT and it was amazing in the winter, solid vehicle. Then we jumped in to a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo and we couldn’t believe the cars were essentially the same sticker price. Bye Bye Subaru. 1 Subaru!
2005 is the last year for the 2.5RS fellas 😂. This lacks a manual trans, rally inspired fog lights, visible exhaust tip, the rumble, and great pricing. All of which the 2.5RS was known and loved for.
