In one of the latest iterations of Off-Road Legends on the HotCars YouTube channel, Michael Van Runkle breaks down the differences between two legendary rally cars. The Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are part of a famous decades-long rivalry. The debate continues as to which car is the superior choice for performance and rally-inspired capabilities.
While each has a dedicated fan base, there are some who remain undecided. Check out the YouTube video to examine each of these cars more closely and decide for yourself which car should ultimately take the crown.
Rally Car Rivalry
While Subaru has recently released a new version of the WRX that is now available, the Lancer Evolution has been out of production since 2015 while Subaru has stated that the STI will not live on. Despite these changes, each car still holds a respectable reputation and has dedicated enthusiasts.
At one time, the STI and the Evo were among the most notable cars in this class, compact cars dedicated to high performance. Today, competitors exist such as the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R, Hyundai Veloster N, and Hyundai Elantra N.
The Subaru uses a horizontal Boxer engine with a turbocharger while the Mitsubishi uses an inline 4 engine with a turbo. The two cars have a similar history of victories that tout their capabilities. The Evo is responsible for 34 World Rally Championships between the 70's-the early 2000s while the STI has taken 46 victories home for rally racing.
The STI And EVO Used Market
While the Evo has always come in the form of a four-door sedan, the STI has been available as a sedan, two-door coupe, and five-door hatch in various iterations throughout the model's history. Over time, the Subaru has gotten more aggressive in design and historically has been more spacious inside than the Evo with a slightly softer suspension system.
A 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has an all-aluminum 2.0L turbo inline 4 that outputs 291 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque with a 5-speed manual and all-wheel control, Mitsubishi's all-wheel drive system. The latest STI from 2021 has a turbo flat-four with 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed manual transmission and a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system.
Pricing for a used Evo will have you somewhere in the mid $20s-$30s most likely and a used STI somewhere likely in the $30s. Impressive figures considering that a brand new WRX comes in around $30,000. The Evo does have an advantage due to its "discontinued rarity" now and one dealership is even selling a "new" Evo with under 70 miles on it for over $100,000. Regardless of what your favorite is, it is unlikely we will ever see a rivalry like this again.