With the Mitsubishi Evo X nearing the end of its run, a good friend of mine bought a 2015 Subaru WRX STI. That surprised me. He’d owned three Evos, and I wanted to see what had won him over. I brought my own 2013 Evo X, which runs Öhlins coilovers, wider wheels and a custom tune. It’s the same car I brought to Lane Motor Museum to weigh alongside an Evo VI and IX.
Where the Subaru Gained Ground
The STI caught me off guard the first time I turned into a corner. It goes where you point it with more precision than the Subarus I’ve driven before. The extra weight hardly registers from behind the wheel.
I’d take the STI’s six-speed over the Evo’s five-speed. The gears are better spaced, and the shifter feels more positive. The Subaru has the nicer cabin, too. The gauges and controls are laid out well, and the whole interior feels a step up from the Mitsubishi’s.
Why I’d Still Take the Mitsubishi Evo X
I still prefer the way my Evo corners. Its rear yaw control helps the car rotate, and the wider tires give it plenty of grip. I’m also partial to the Recaros in my 2013. They hold me in place through a corner and stay comfortable on a long drive.
I’ve owned five Evos and one WRX, so I know where my bias lies. The STI came closer than I expected. If I’m taking one home, I’m taking the Evo.
Evo X and WRX STI Photo Gallery
