Poll: Subaru WRX STI or Chevrolet Camaro SS?
Today, we focus on two high-performance cars, models that are each swift, though in completely different ways.
The Subaru WRX STI is a rally-bred, all-wheel-drive beast with a turbocharged flat-four and exuberant styling. In comparison, the Chevy Camaro is an all-American icon with classic proportions and a brawny V8. Which is better? That’s your job to figure out!
Subie’s offering is motivated by a 2.5-liter boxer-four. With a turbocharger and 14.7 PSI of boost it cranks out 305 horses and 290 lb-ft of torque. The only gearbox offered is a proper six-ratio manual.
Helping the STI grip like an alley cat climbing a tree is a performance-tuned version of Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. With a driver-controllable center differential and a Torsen limited-slip unit at the rear, it provides a nominal front-to-rear torque split of 41-to-59.
In comparison, the Camaro features a 6.2-liter small-block V8. With direct fuel injection and other high-tech goodies, it delivers an impressive 455 horses and an equal measure of torque. Drivers can choose between either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-ratio automatic.
Niceties that increase the Camaro’s appeal include standard 20-inch wheels, high-intensity discharge headlamps, burly Brembo brakes and even an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Curiously, when it comes to fuel economy these cars are all over each other like two teens at the back of a darkened movie theater. The WRX STI averages 19 miles per gallon, as does the Camaro. The Subaru bests the Carmaro by one MPG in city driving, returning an unimpressive 17. However, the Chevy is more economical, returning a claimed 25 on highway runs, two better than its Japanese rival.
The Camaro may have advantages in horsepower, torque and fuel economy, but the Subie’s got one major trump card. That all-wheel-drive system makes the STI a four-seasons vehicle, one that laughs at blizzards and eats icy asphalt like candy; even with snow tires the Chevy is at best iffy in winter weather.
Which of these cars would YOU rather own, the Subaru WRX STI or Chevrolet Camaro SS? For more information, compare them here, and don’t forget to vote!
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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Drivers choice; Camaro SS all day. -No hesitation
Do you want to go in a straight line or do you like turns. That's what the decision comes down to. for 2k in parts and a pro-tune the STI can easily make over 400whp and 400wtq. And it's a lighter car. To give you an example on twisties my sleeper Forester XT go a built early 2000's Vet to pull over in a turn out. I was pulling way more entry speed on him and had to keep backing off. He decided he would try to gas it out of the turns on me problem was I wasn't even on the gas before so now I got on it and would end up even closer to him. If he got on the gas any harder he would have ended up facing me. After a few turns of that and multiple high beam flashes he got the hint. Now it may be a driver thing and a road familiarity thing. I don't push it in the mountains and canyons that's what auto-x and tracks are for. I do however carry a decent clip rarely use my brakes and am on the gas before I hit the apex in regular radius turns like in this case on Angles Crest Highway CA 2. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8f3c9487166b72487ce0fbc3bc86728f8ff2c458b1b2eda7fd1bfa8966a38e47.jpg