Best Sports Car Under $57,000

Story by David Rose

Subaru's Impreza WRX emerged this year as the victor in the Best Sports Car Under $57,000 category.

Last year, the iconic small sports sedan shared the honours with the Mazda RX8 but higher scores this year for the Rex, especially for fuel consumption (now based on official government figures) swung the needle in the Subaru's favour.

In fact, the Mazda slipped back to third, with previous winner and last year's runner up, the Falcon XR6 turbo improving enough following its recent upgrades to nudge the Mazda from second spot.

All three finalists are terrific vehicles with impressive individual strengths, but the WRX is easily the best 'plug and play' machine.

It is the best all-rounder, the one that experienced drivers or relative novices can jump into and immediately feel comfortable (and excited) at the first sign of a twisty road, or a straight one for that matter.

The words "easy, "fun" and "still amazing value" appeared often in the judges' WRX notes. It was easily the most forgiving and easiest to drive in varying weather and road conditions, thanks primarily to its all-wheel-drive configuration.

While all finalists had the pilots proceeding circumspectly in the mostly damp final test conditions, all agreed that the WRX inspired the greatest confidence. It did it easier.

Full Details: www.australiasbestcars.com.au.