Summary

• The Subaru WRX is a defining mannequin for Subaru and has a powerful connection to its rally program.
• The newest WRX options plastic cladding, just like the Outback, but it surely’s unclear if it is as efficient on the wagon.
• The WRX is the final remaining AWD sedan with a handbook transmission, making it an attractive choice for fans.

Tracing its roots to Subaru’s successful rallying program, the WRX is likely one of the automaker’s defining fashions. For a very long time, the WRX was tied to and marketed beneath the Impreza title. In 2014, it dropped the Impreza nomenclature, changing into an unbiased Subaru mannequin. The present era debuted in 2021 for the 2022 mannequin yr, driving on Subaru’s Global Platform and that includes a barely stronger engine.

In one other departure from earlier WRX fashions, the 2022 instance featured swathes of plastic physique cladding. Plastic cladding is one of the reasons why the Outback wagon has survived and thrived in an SUV-enamored market. The jury is out on whether or not cladding works as successfully on the wagon because it does on the rally-inspired sports activities sedan. Looks apart, the Subaru WRX is an attractive prospect partly as a result of it’s the final surviving AWD sedan to characteristic a handbook.

In order to provide the most recent and correct info doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources together with Subaru and the EPA.

The WRX Features A Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Flat Four Paired With A Standard Six-Speed Manual Transmission

The second-generation WRX debuted with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four mill that delivered 271 horsepower, three greater than the first-generation engine. Though Subaru didn’t give the current-gen WRX an enormous energy increase, it carried out different modifications that improved the sports activities sedan.

Subaru Offers Five WRX Trims

• Base
• Premium
• Limited
• TR
• GT

The WRX Features Standard All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive options on practically your entire Subaru lineup. It is likely one of the explanation why the WRX was so profitable on rally phases and so fashionable amongst Subaru aficionados. A six-speed handbook gearbox delivers 258 kilos of torque to each axles on all WRX trims aside from the GT variant. Subaru says it refined and optimized the gearbox to improve shift quality.

The automaker provides that the WRX lies on an enhanced platform with higher torsional and suspension mounting level rigidity and a decrease middle of gravity. On paper, the elevated rigidity ought to provide improved dealing with, steering, crash safety, and journey high quality and cut back cabin noise. Subaru made the handbook WRX extra interesting by introducing its EyeSight suite of driver aids as customary on all stick-shift fashions.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Subaru)

The Top-Ranked GT Trim Only Comes With A CVT

The various to the usual six-speed handbook is a CVT, which operates like an eight-speed gearbox when the motive force makes use of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to vary gears. Subaru says that the improved CVT performs computerized rev-matching throughout downshifts. The top-ranked GT mannequin solely comes with the constantly variable slushbox.

The closely loaded trim options unique 18-inch aluminum alloy rollers completed in matte grey and Recaro seats. Electronically managed dampers kind a part of the mannequin’s sport-tuned suspension. Through Drive Mode Select, drivers can configure the automobile’s damper settings, steering really feel, and extra. Subaru claims that the system options over 400 totally different customizations. While some could view this as overkill, WRX GT prospects ought to recognize the numerous distinctive methods they’ll arrange their sports activities sedans.

The Reintroduced TR Trim Is Tuned For Track Action

Way again when the WRX fashioned a part of the Impreza lineup, Subaru launched a trim dubbed TR (Tuner Ready). It was a barebones variant that supplied consumers a platform to tune and customise their WRX. The reintroduced TR variant is markedly totally different from the Tuner Ready WRX of the previous.

The TR Features A Stiffer Body And Sports-Tuned Suspension

The new WRX TR is extra ‘Track Ready’ than ‘Tuner Ready’. While the earlier iteration of the trim got here with fundamental seats, a turbo, and unpainted mirror caps, the current-gen TR is absolutely loaded, that includes Brembo brakes with a much bigger grasp cylinder and bigger rotors, optimized suspension, and retuned digital energy steering. The TR is five percent stiffer than its WRX siblings. Unlike the outdated TR, the brand new mannequin leaves the manufacturing facility tuned for monitor motion.

The TR Comes With Exclusive 19-Inch Wheels

The TR distinguishes itself from different trims through its unique 19-inch alloys, completed in satin grey and wrapped in high-performance Bridgestone rubber. It lacks a moonroof: Subaru omitted it to offset the burden added by the trim’s upgrades. Another visible and practical TR improve is suede-wrapped Recaro seats with crimson stitching and enhanced shoulder and facet help. Subaru solely provides the track-ready TR variant with a handbook gearbox.

Low Cargo Space And Poor Fuel Economy Are The WRX’s Main Drawbacks

Subaru prolonged the wheelbase of the new-gen Subaru WRX by round an inch, leading to elevated legroom for rear passengers. The modifications to the automobile’s structure additionally elevated cargo quantity, however not by a lot.

The WRX Offers 12.5 Cubic Feet Of Trunk Space

The previous-gen WRX had 12 cubic toes of cargo area. The new automotive improved on that dismal metric, including 0.5 cubic toes. Subaru claims that it reworked the trunk opening to enhance loading and unloading. You can enhance the WRX’s cargo-hauling skill by folding the rear seats.

The sports activities automotive’s cabin has loads of room for 5, although the rear center passenger would possibly complain of restricted flooring area. All fashions get an 11.6-inch infotainment show working Subaru’s Starlink software program. Base and Premium trims get a six-speaker sound system, whereas the Limited, TR, and GT variants characteristic a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

Subaru WRX Interior Highlights

• Automatic local weather management
• Telescoping/tilt steering column
• Front USB-C and USB-A enter ports
• Rear charging ports on each trim besides the Base variant
• Electronic cruise management

The Subaru WRX Boasts A Combined Fuel Efficiency Rating Of 21 MPG

Perhaps the most important blemish on the WRX’s specs sheet is gas financial system. Per the EPA, the turbocharged mill powering the Subie sports sedan is incredibly thirsty. Models that includes the CVT slushbox publish a mixed gas effectivity score of 21 MPG. Manual fashions fare marginally higher with 22 mixed MPG.

2024 Subaru WRX Vs. Its Competitors

Despite the SUV craze sweeping the automotive world, automakers nonetheless have sports activities compact vehicles of their lineups. The phase accommodates a number of thrilling entries, together with the Hyundai Elantra N and the Honda Civic Type R.

Performance Comparison

(Specs: Subaru, Honda, Hyundai)

The Subaru WRX Is Slower Than The Civic Type R And The Elantra N

When it involves straight-line pace, the WRX can’t sustain with the speedy Elantra N and Civic Type R. The Subie lags behind as a result of its rivals have extra highly effective engines: the Honda features a turbocharged 315-horsepower mill, whereas the Hyundai has a 276-horsepower inline-four beneath its sloping hood. Furthermore, the WRX is heavier than its rivals, in all probability because of the weight added by its all-wheel drive system.

2024 Subaru WRX Price

(Source: Subaru)

The Ace Up The WRX’s Sleeve Is Its All-Wheel Drive System

The all-wheel-drive system that is perhaps weighing the WRX down can be its trump card. None of its rivals, at the moment provide the mixture of a tried and examined symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and a handbook transmission. It is the most effective decisions for consumers in search of a brand new, reasonably priced, and thrilling sports activities sedan with an old-school stick shift and AWD.