Review - Subaru WRX

Its rally-bred pedigree and fun-loving nature shot it to the top of wish lists, as quickly became a dream car for those looking for a reasonably-priced but impressively fast road car that can transport the family, too. 

In its latest form, Subaru has pushed the existing platform to its absolute limits ahead of the next-generation WRX’s arrival sometime in late 2022. The question remaining, then, is whether or not the current generation WRX is deserving of your time and attention, or if you should wait for the replacement. 

Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $40,990

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Subaru WRX (AWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Subaru WRX car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Subaru WRX lineup kicks off from $40,990 for the entry-level V1 with a manual gearbox, while the WRX V1 automatic is priced at $43,990. From here, the range moves to the WRX Premium V1, which is priced at $47,390 for the manual and $50,590 for the automatic variant. 

For those looking for more thrills, the WRX STI V1 manual is priced at $52,940, while the STI Premium V1 manual is priced at $57,690. Opting for the WRX STI spec.R V1 manual comes at a cost of $59,440, while the range-topping WRX STI EJ25 Final Edition V1 manual comes with a $62,440 price tag. 

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What Features Does the Subaru WRX Have?

The Subaru WRX comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys wrapped in Dunlop Sport tyres, and receives active LED headlights, climate control, keyless entry & start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, LED fog lights, LED taillights and daytime running lamps, cruise control, chrome exhaust tips, limited-slip differential, symmetrical all-wheel-drive platform, rear-view camera, a 7.0-inch infotainment system with DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, partial-leather interior upholstery, privacy glass, heated front seats, and a pair of 3.5-inch and 5.9-inch multi-function displays. 

Stepping up to the WRX STI brings an upgraded engine tune that increases power, sports-tuned suspension, alongside a set of lightweight 19-inch alloys with STI sport brakes, sport seats and driving pedals, adjustable centre differential and an upgraded sports steering rack. 

Finally, the WRX STI EJ25 Final Edition receives 19-inch BBS forged aluminium wheels, Silver Brembo brake calipers, Recaro sport seats, a suede steering wheel, black mirrors and front fenders, red STI start button and EJ25 Final Edition badging across the bodywork and on the engine bay. 

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Dunlop Sport tyres

•  LED head and tail lights 

• LED fog lights and daytime running lamps 

• Cruise control 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever 

• Limited-slip differential 

• Chrome exhaust tips 

• Rear-view camera 

• Heated front seats 

• Partial-leather upholstery 

• 7.0-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 19-inch alloys (WRX STI)

• Engine power upgrade (WRX STI)

• STI Sport brakes (WRX STI)

• Sport-tuned suspension (WRX STI)

• Sport seats (WRX STI)

• Adjustable centre differential (WRX STI)

• 19-inch BBS forged aluminium wheels (WRX STI EJ25)

• Silver Brembo brake calipers (WRX STI EJ25)

• Recaro sport seats (WRX STI EJ25)

• Suede steering wheel (WRX STI EJ25)

• EJ25 Final Edition badging (WRX STI EJ25)

Subaru WRX Colours 

The Subaru WRX is available in choice of colours, including Crystal Black, Lapis Blue, WR Blue, Magnetite Grey, Pure Red, Ice Silver and Crystal White, for both the standard and STI variants. 

Is it Fun to Drive?

Designed primarily as a road-going rally car, the Subaru WRX is a heap of fun when the mood strikes, while remaining an approachable and user-friendly Subaru sedan while you’re just trying to commute home. 

Power is supplied by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197kW of power and 350Nm of torque in the entry-level WRX, while the STI, spec.R and EJ25 Final Edition all  receive an engine tune that brings power up to 227kW and a torque figure of 407Nm. 

Power is put to all four wheels via Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system paired with a choice of a manual gearbox and CVT automatic transmission. While fans of performance vehicles might be put off by the inclusion of a CVT auto, the WRX remains lively and exciting even with the unique transmission. 

On the road, the WRX is adaptable and very much able to bumble around town without a fuss. This means that commuting and daily driving is a fairly comfortable affair, although the sports-tuned suspension system makes the ride quality pretty still on rougher surfaces. 

Where the WRX really begins to shine, though, is on the open road or even on a race circuit, where you can truly tap into its full potential. 

Thanks to its independent front and rear suspension, combined with its all-wheel drive system and limited-slip differential, the WRX has absolutely no problem when it comes to performance driving. 

With a capable platform and hardcore underpinnings, you can thrash the WRX around a corner, accelerate out of the apex and sit there in awe of its grip levels and the impressive amount of power from the engine. Better still, you can translate all of this to gravel surfaces and roads that you wouldn’t dare take a supercar, adding to its overall appeal as a racer for the average Joe. 

Is it Practical and Spacious?

For all its performance-based mechanicals and performance, the WRX retains the platform of the standard Impreza, which means there’s some impressive space and practicality on offer inside the cabin.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a familiar Subaru cockpit design, with some added technology in the form of multi-function displays. The sport seats are comfortable for daily driving, while offering some side bolstering while you’re pushing through a high-speed corner. 

In the front of the cabin, you’ll receive a decent amount of headroom, even for tall drivers, while the front of the cockpit is spacious and the driving position is completely adjustable. Practical elements here include a set of door bins either side, storage inside the folding arm rest, a sliding storage area in front of the gear lever and another sitting behind the gear lever at the base of the dashboard. 

Moving to the second row of the cabin, you’ll find a comfortable bench seat with two ISOFIX anchors on either side of the cabin, complemented by three top tether points that mean you can indeed transport a pair of child seats in the rear of the WRX. 

The legroom in the second row of the cabin is acceptable as an adult, but perhaps more suited to younger children that don’t demand as much space. With some sacrifices for the driver and front passenger, you can accommodate full-sized adults in the rear of the cabin. 

In terms of boot space, the WRX has a cargo storage area rated at 460L, which is modestly sized compared to its rivals, but is more than enough for a standard load of school or supermarket bags, or a short weekend away. 

Is it Safe?

The Subaru WRX has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 35.85 out of a potential 37 for its overall score. 

As standard, the WRX receives Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite, which means that blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, lane-keep assistance, rear-cross traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam are packaged as standard. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency for the Subaru WRX range depends on which variant you’re opting for, with the entry-level WRX V1 manual rated at 9.2L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the more powerful STI variant is rated at 11.2L per 100km. 

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru WRX Worth It?

Whichever way you look at it, the WRX is a wonderful, fun-loving and adaptable car for buyers looking for something that can take the kids to school in, and then sprint its way home. 

The WRX oozes personality, and while the platform as a whole is set to be replaced in the near future, the WRX remains an immensely impressive vehicle when it comes to exciting driving capabilities while remaining user-friendly on a daily drive. 

As a result, we can’t help but recommend that you add it to your shortlist, and on that note,  if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

2. Five-year/unlimited KM warranty 

3. 197kW/350Nm engine in base model increases to 221kW/407Nm in STI

4. Manual and CVT automatic available 

5. Six-month/12,500km service intervals 

Pros

• Tonnes of performance driving for the money 

• Hardcore suspension & AWD system mean lightning-fast cornering 

• Impressive safety equipment suite as standard 

Cons

• Limited second-row space for adults 

• Firm ride quality on rough surfaces 

• Underwhelming interior design 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Subaru WRX Competition