I will say this, with every new Impreza WRX/STI generation unveiled, it usually gets negative press at first in terms of styling. That happened with the previous gen, as well as the "Stinkeye" and "Bugeye/Blobeye/Hawkeye" generation, though eventually, the styling grew on its fanbase and it's no longer considered an "ugly" car. I think it's a matter of time before the car community in general warms up to the gray plastic cladding, and there is a chance the cladding is painted body-color in the future, or when the STI model is rolled out. Though, I'm still not a fan of the grey plastic cladding by any means.
In terms of the car's performance and overall quality, reviewers are raving. Massive improvement over the previous generation, despite only a small increase in horsepower and price. Honestly, the WRX in a class of its own. It's a better performing car than a Civic Si, GLI, or Elantra N for sure, though it drives distinct from a Type R Civic or Golf R. It's definitely the funnest car one can buy for the price, and it's a pretty good value as well.
Though, I vote uncool, partly for the grey cladding, and partly of course, for the douchey, usually stoner-ish "bro" culture associated with Impreza WRXs and other cheap AWD sports cars.
