Anyone who has played the game 'Gran Turismo' knows that you cannot go wrong selecting either the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as the car of choice. The question is, which is best?
For some, when car racing is the discussion point, images of 30 plus cars driving around a circular track comes to mind. This is where the reality and beauty of rally racing should kick in. No boring tracks but closed-off public roads where street-legal cars are fighting each other for supremacy. Not the safest way to earn your racing stripes but one heck of a ride. Speaking of safe, fans need to stay alert as there are not many barriers between the speeding cars and those watching. Another cool feature of rally driving is that there is a 2nd person in the car, kind of a co-pilot that informs the driver about upcoming turns in the road and such. What can be better than having a buddy with you while speeding around a closed off-road?
With that being said, the issue of who is the rally king needs to be addressed and resolved. Both the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the Subaru Impreza WRX STI have been phenomenally successful in the sport of rally racing. Each vehicle seems to have been made specifically for rally driving.
There are subtle differences between the two cars, but when tested on the road, both stand out as rally champions.
Racing Victories Per Vehicle
To help determine which car is king, it makes sense to factor in wins at the World Rally Championship (WRC). A driver named Tommi Makinen won WRC with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution between 1996 and 1999. What a great run of consecutive victories! Unfortunately for Mitsubishi, it has not won another WRC since then, and probably will not do so.
A Subaru Impreza, driven by Richard Burns, won the WRC in 2001. Peter Solberg won the 2003 WRC while also driving an Impreza. Neither Mitsubishi nor Subaru has won a significant number of WRC titles, and from a victory perspective has continued to struggle, as neither car has won the WRC in over a decade. Still, both cars are highly sought-after vehicles in the used car arena. Fortunately for those in America, the earlier versions of the Lancer Evolution are turning 25 years old, so they will soon be (if not already) legal to drive in the States.
A King In Disguise
At first glance, a novice car enthusiast would not give either the Impreza or the Lancer the time of day. Both are small vehicles and rather plain looking. Perhaps the name Mercedes or Porsche would yield more of an immediate response, but Subaru and Mitsubishi?
On the flip side, this what makes both vehicles so appealing. It is possible to take either car right off the assembly line, make a few alterations and it is ready to compete at a world class level. No mention of Lamborghini or Ferrari in this racing space as they are so expensive, and to most folks, completely unattainable. In this race for king status, it is not a title that is inherited or is passed down from generation to generation but is earned.
Traits Both Cars Possesses
Let us start off with some basic similarities. Both vehicles are powered by a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. Four-wheel drive is also a common trait for both vehicles. The Impreza has a 5.9-inch ground clearance, while the Lancer has a 5.5-inch ground clearance. Both clearances are relatively low which is great for keeping cars stuck to the ground. Acceleration is similar between the two as well. These commonalities did not occur by chance but were insisted upon due to the extreme conditions these cars have been subjected to race after race, year after year.
Key Differences
Without getting too deep into the technical differences, Subaru has continued to make technical improvements to the Impreza WRX STI. Unfortunately for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, production ceased in 2016. The fact that the Lancer is no longer in production gives Subaru the edge, allowing the Impreza to wear the rally king crown.
The crown being discussed is comparable to the scenario of a trophy being passed between two teams, based upon the results of an annual game. It has been rumored that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution could make a return to the car industry with its eleventh generation. Should this occur, it would be appropriate to wait a few years then reassess the wearing of the crown. Who knows, it is possible the revamped Lancer could hit the ground running and win several consecutive WRCs.