Buyer is between dream car, more practical choice
Sarah Even checks out a new Chrysler car as she shops for a car on the sales lot of the Hollywood Chrysler Jeep dealership on October 27, 2011 in Hollywood, Florida. Credit: Getty
Our gut also tells us you don't need an off-road-capable SUV like the Wrangler to cope with winter in Chicago except for rare occasions, such as last winter's blizzard that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow. That's a rarity, and they do plow streets in Chicago when it snows, so an Impreza or even a front-drive GTI should be enough.
The GTI has brisk acceleration with the manual transmission, good handling and the versatility of a hatchback, but it requires premium gas and suffers from a lot of wind noise. The redesigned Impreza has attractive styling, decent gas mileage and a roomy interior, and it also is available as a hatchback. Acceleration and handling are mediocre, however.
The Wrangler would be good for off-roading and driving in rural areas that don't see many snow plows, but the rough ride and poor handling make it ill-suited to city living, where you want a vehicle that absorbs bumpy pavement and has quick reflexes to zip through traffic.
The Impreza would be our first choice for its overall versatility and security of all-wheel drive, but the sportier GTI would be more fun to drive.
