Now that’s a power couple if I’ve ever seen one! Jeep and Subaru are two major proponents of all-wheel drive, but that’s probably the only common trait these two share, other than the number of doors, wheels and headlights.
One is a V8-powered, body-on-frame, comfort-oriented proto-SUV, the other is a flat-4 engined, low-slung, monocoque sports/rallye car. The AWD drivetrains are also very different, of course.
The Wagoneer needs no introduction, does it? Launched in 1963 and produced, with few substantial changes, for 28 years by Jeep’s successive corporate parents (Kaiser, AMC and Chrysler, in that chronological order), it arguably created the whole SUV niche by itself.
These are extremely popular in Japan. A lot of them are about, especially for a vehicle this big. Most of them are more recent than this one, though. The styling of these 1974-78 models is one of my favourites, second only to the ’63 original.
With its solid axles, leaf springs and large AMC V8 (5.9 or 6.6 litres) mated to a 3-speed slushbox, the 2-ton Wagoneer is definitely of the older generation. That’s part of the appeal. The other part is the fact that these are sturdy and reliable machines that treat their occupants well. What more can you ask for?
A spacious back seat? It’s part of the package. Loads of cargo space? You get that too. And it’s all wrapped up in Brooke Stevens’ sublime styling. No wonder these are so sought after.
Pity the back of the Jeep was nigh on impossible to capture, as it’s one of the exterior design’s best features. That’s a rear end I can really get behind. The restyled version with the Cherokee’s vertical taillights, implemented for MY 1984, is far less appealing to me. But then, the square-eyed “pig nose” models of 1979-85 didn’t improve the front end, either.
I’m sure there is some reason for the lack of 5mph bumpers, too. Those would have ruined this design, but the Jeep was spared from that ignominy. I’m guessing it has something to do with the vehicle height and class, but I’m sure the CCommunity will have a better idea. In any case, that alone makes the Wagoneer my pick of the mid-‘70s US iron.
Which is more than can be said about the Subaru. The styling is okay, I guess, but rather bland (as might be expected for a ‘90s compact) and frankly completely secondary to the whole thing. Tertiary, even.
The Impreza was launched in October 1992 as a saloon and wagon, including a high-performance WRX variant of the former that had a turbocharged 2-litre DOHC boxer 4-cyl mated to a 5-speed manual. Two years later, the WRX STi followed – with 250hp, it was getting to be a pretty fast vehicle. By 1996, power was nominally up to the “gentlemen’s agreement” 280hp, though real output was reportedly closer to 300hp.
The wagon was also available with extra vitamins and a two-door variant was proposed from 1997, including a special “wide body” version with a 2.2 litre engine. The STi was only sold in Japan initially. By 1999, it became available in Australia and a few other Asia-Pacific markets, but the lion’s share never left the JDM. Production switched to the second generation Impreza in September 2000.
This is the “standard” STi, so it has creature comforts. But there was a stripped-down, leaner variant called the Impreza WRX STi RA (more random letters = more power, just ask academics and British aristocrats) that deleted you’re A/C, power windows and the sound system. That last one was probably equally to save weight and to better enjoy the flat-4’s unique vibrato.
Not too many people seem to have used the back seat. Are WRX owners not family-oriented?
Subaru won several World Rally Championship races and titles with this car, so it’s something of an icon in enthusiast circles. Not being bitten by that particular bug, I don’t have much to say about that other than “cool, dude”. It’s a very important part of what transformed Subaru’s image and street cred, though.
One would be hard pressed to find two more unrelated takes on the AWD concept. Which one would you pick? My personal tastes orient me towards the Wagoneer, but the Impreza is undeniably impressive in its own right. In a perfect world, it would be great to add a dash of the Subaru’s dynamics to the Jeep and, conversely, to sprinkle some of the Wagoneer’s style on the Impreza. Not sure what that would look like, actually. A Jeep WRX and a ‘70s Impreza STi? Someone should feed that to their AI image generator…
Related posts:
Curbside Capsule: 1999 Subaru Impreza L – For My Cousin, by Joseph Dennis
CC Capsule: 1999 Subaru Impreza Casa Blanca – Less Than Imprezzed, by T87
COAL: 1993 Subaru Impreza L: The Allure of the Pleiades, by Matthew Streeter
COAL: 1997 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport – Driving Into Adulthood (#4), by Brian Troutman
Curbside Classic: 1979 Jeep Wagoneer Limited – Unlimited Appeal, by T87
Curbside Classic: 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer – Dorian Gray Goes to Horse Country, by JPC
These Wagoneers would make great brand vehicles for golf courses, tradespeople, and landscapers. So much nostalgic appeal for older clients.
When I owned a large-ish solid axle SUV, Land Cruiser not Wagoneer, and wanted to supplement it with a more economical and sportier car, I checked out the WRX. It had been unobtanium here in the US but finally came here with the second gen and I so much wanted one. One test drive and I realized I was too old for this car. Or had at least been spoiled by the more refined and flexible powertrain of my wife’s 1.8 turbo VW. I then drove the Subaru XT which had the 2.5 liter motor, unlike the 2.0 Impreza – what a difference. In the end, I eventually tired of even the Forester’s turbo habits, and although I had it for ten years, the VW lasted longer and got replaced with another 1.8T VW. I still find the first-gen WRX very appealing but I’d take the Jeep.
Wow, Jeep was way ahead of their time with that huge touchscreen!
The Wagoneer for me. I agree that the mid-’70s models had amongst the best of the many grilles these wore (all interchangeable from what I understand). Inside, my faves are either the late-’60s Super Wagoneer or the late-model Chrysler era with the plush carpets and seats. The interior changed more over the years than the exterior did.
The shot of the Wagoneer’s back seat brings back a vivid memory. I had recently returned to Iowa City in February of 1971, having hitchhiked from Baltimore. A month or two later I met a girl, and we went on a double date to the first spring weekend that the drive-in movie theater was open, with her best friend and her BF. The other girl drove her family’s early version Wagoneer with the OHC six.
As was not uncommon back in the Little Ice Age, the weather turned very wintry that day, and it was cold in that Wagoneer. But this girl and I managed to find creative ways (for us young and relatively inexperienced kids at the time) to stay warm. I have zero memories of the movie, but vivid ones of what took place back there. Did we care what the other two in the front seat thought? Nah!
My dad had a 77 Wagoneer when I was a kid in the 80s. He had a lot of issues keeping it running, but that’s only because it was a beater and he didn’t know how to work on cars. One thing for certain, he never had an issue with the drivetrain. To this day he drives Jeeps exclusively.
If I had to choose, I’d choose the Jeep for several reasons. #1 at least where I live, if I need 4wd then I also need ground clearance. I also want the ability to load up things in the back. And for the old time simplicity, since I can work on cars.
I had to do a double take to check the number of doors. Usually I would see those wheels on the 2 door variant the Cherokee.
I remember reading years ago that the WRX was the top-selling Subaru in Australia, and from the number you saw around I could quite believe it. By comparison, seeing a regular Subaru of this generation was quite the occasion. I always liked the style of these, something of a four door coupe shape, smooth and beautifully integrated. Of course they all seemed to get modified and thrashed to death and I can’t think when was the last time I saw one. Every now and then I hear that unmistakeable throbbly beat and look up, but it’s never one of these. More’s the pity.