Two kings of the rough road, multiple World Rally champions and legends of the forests. Two of the most muscular and desirable Japanese special editions are making their return to British roads in all-new guises.
But which would you plump for – the tenth generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, or Subaru’s heavily revised Impreza WRX STi?
The standard specification Impreza errs on the conservative side but the WRX STi edition packs the punch it needs to to more than keep up with its predecessors.
Nevertheless it’s the Lancer that proves the most popular pick among the editorial team. Which do you prefer?
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UGLY UGLY BOTH CAR MAKERS NEED A REALITY CHECK LEARN SUMAT FROM MAZDA OR HONDA
SCOOBY FOR HOODIES EVO FOR TRACK BOYS
SCOOBY STI ALL DAY LONG POWERWISE FOR TRASHING LIKES OF VW R32 ,AUDI S3,HONDA TYPE R AND HORRIBLE FRENCH MEGANES 225 CUP AND EVO IS MANS CAR A LITTLE ENGINE TWEAK CAN PUT RS4 AND M3S TO SHAME
Edited by moderator. No swearing please.
I really like the look of the new STi, but for me it’s all down to driving and I have test-driven the Evo. All I can say is – amazing. But, to be fair I’ll have to try the Sti as well. Not that I can afford either, sadly
Both are excellent cars in terms of driving performance and fun.
BUT, the problem is that this STi is VERY VERY UGLY, I wonder how the Subaru designers “managed” to create this terrible shape, a real insult to any Subaru fun and owner (including me as an owner of a 2003 WRX).
On the other hand EVO X is the most attractive EVO of all times and probably the most efficient too (read the reviews in comparison to IX and watch the first Japanese videos)
I believe EVO X will be my next car…
Goodbye Subaru, my greetings to the design team.
I own a 2004 STi. It was a “must have” as soon as it became available. It is easily the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Living in Canada I look forward to those days when we get a good dump of snow so I can go driving. There are few things in life as satisfying as a good four wheel sideways drift around a corner in the snow. Its freaky for those that have never done it, scary as hell for passengers but incredibly satisfying when you get it right! The STi is made for this type of driving. With the adjustable centre diff and limited slips it works extremely well in the snow or rain. At the racetrack in the wet I own the track. It usually takes no more than 5 or 6 laps to pass everyone on the track. Even the RS4s can’t keep up simply because they’re too heavy.
Having said all that I am buying the new Evo X. I don’t know what Subaru was thinking but there is NO WAY I am driving a wagon. And yes I know people will say its a hatchback and not a wagon (yes pun intended) but my new BMW M-Coupe is a hatchback, the STi is a WAGON!
I think the Evo is closer to the original concept of what these two iconic cars are supposed to be about and therefore is going to have more fans and win overall. Subaru have gambled (again) and will soon be facing a similar rival in the Four Wheel Drive Focus. I currently own an Fq-360 mr and am tempted to buy a new Evo X but will have to test drive one first to see how much straightline performance I’d be losing with the standard (non fq?) model, my current car can do a sub 10 second 0-100 on paper.
Evo Look’s the best cos the Subaru look’s rubbish, but have a look again at the front end of the Evo it has Volvo looks, not good on a £27k performance car.
EVO X all day long!!!! its a true rally giant. Looks, performance, pure power. Mitsubishi have only ever moved forward with their latest Evo’s, but it seems Subaru have got a bit confussed on what exactly they want to produce. It shouldn’t want to become a hatchback. It was better than that.
Both new cars have been ruined style wise, both cars previous models were the best.