Overview & Reviews

For years, the Subaru WRX has been the high-performance version of the otherwise practical-minded Subaru Impreza. This latest WRX has lost the "Impreza" name on its badge to indicate its dedication to performance. The WRX name signifies the presence of a higher-horsepower turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned suspension. The WRX STI model, (from Subaru's in-house tuning division, Subaru Tecnica International) offers even more power, along with a more advanced all-wheel-drive system that enhances cornering grip.

Current Subaru Impreza WRX
Debuting for 2015, the Subaru WRX is a four-door sedan powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter, horizontally opposed ("boxer") four-cylinder engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel-drive system are standard. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional. The STI uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine rated at 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered.

Standard WRX features include alloy wheels with summer tires, automatic climate control, sport front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and a six-speaker sound system. Upper trim levels add extras like foglights, a sunroof, a trunk lid spoiler, heated front seats, a touchscreen navigation system and leather upholstery. The WRX STI gets the more powerful engine, bigger wheels, Brembo brakes, front and rear limited-slip differentials, driver-selectable modes for the center differential and a more aggressively tuned suspension. Options include an eight-way power driver seat, lighter-weight 18-inch BBS wheels, a performance exhaust and a premium nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The WRX is extremely fun to drive thanks to its strong available engines and responsive handling. The ride quality does suffer a bit, but it's not any worse than you would expect from such a high-performance car. Less forgivable, however, is the large amount of wind and road noise coming into the cabin at freeway speeds. As for the WRX STI, is definitely turns up the performance dial, but it's harsher to drive on a daily basis.

Inside, the WRX is pretty spacious, with simple and straightforward controls. The driver positioning is particularly excellent, as is outward visibility thanks to thin roof pillars and large side mirrors. Previous versions of the Impreza and WRX had lots of hard plastics and unfriendly surfaces. This model is a bit more refined, but most competitors will still feel comparatively upscale. Subaru's touchscreen controls and audio systems aren't very impressive either, and they stand out as a weak point in the cabin.

Used Subaru Impreza WRX Models
The WRX and WRX STI were previously referred to as the Subaru Impreza WRX. Before that, WRX and STI models were simply trim level options on the standard Impreza. Buyers interested in a used model can get additional information on these used Impreza WRXs and WRX STIs in separate reviews.

User Reviews:

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  Great performance vehicle - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Jon J - October 26 - 8:58 pm

  This car is super powerful and inspires a lot of confidence when driving. Thats pretty much where things end. The seats are mediocre, the shifter has never been great, and the technology is years behind even other Japanese manufacturers. If you spend the $30K to buy this it will put a smile on your face every day if you get a little bit of open road in front of you. When traffic exists, you will find yourself wondering why the heck you bought this. If you can take it to a track now and then, this is the ultimate all around vehicle.

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  Wrx>Evo X> Focus/Fiesta ST - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By KC - September 14 - 3:19 am

  Best car for the money!

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  Loving my sti - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Big Dee - April 3 - 2:42 pm

  Love it. Boost is great ... handles great.

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  Fun, affordable, and practical! - 2015 Subaru WRX
  By dunebuggy72 - March 15 - 8:42 pm

  Was in the market for a non fwd car, manual trans, and a useable back seat for under 30k. Very few cars to choose from, but thankfully Subaru exists! Great power, just the boost takes some getting used to.Steering is tight with great feel.Very comfortable seats and visabilty front and rear is great.

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  Sports Car for the Outdoor Enthusiast! - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Aron M - March 9 - 11:35 am

  So, I have always wanted to own a Subaru WRX. Ever since I drove one in 2002, I have been in love. The symmetrical all-wheel drive, the look, the feel of the car grip the road, the speed...oh, what speed, indeed! It is amazing, when you slam the stick shift from 1st to 2nd, and the turbo kicks in (albeit with a bit of turbo lag), it makes you feel like you could take on the best Nascar drivers! Now, I have my 2016 Subaru WRX Premium as my everyday driver. I leased mine, and have been driving it everyday for just over a month. The first couple of weeks take some getting used to with the clutch. I have just gone over the 1000-mile "break in" period. Unbeknownst to me, however with a read of the manual and a quick look online, I did not realize that I had to keep it under 4,000 RPMs, and not take off really quickly. Whoops! I am still having trouble adjusting to the clutch, and I have not owned a ton of manual transmission cars, but I learned to drive on a stick shift, and driven plenty more. I do not stall out, but my biggest problem is the shift from 2nd to 3rd (with smooth shifts only happening maybe 1 out of every 3 times), and 3rd to 4th (with smooth shifts happening 2 out of every 3 times). Not bad, but I would like to get both numbers down to 0 by the end of my second month. At least with a quick Google search, I realized that I am in good company. With all this in mind, I love the looks that I get when I am driving it on the road, the turbocharged 268-bhp engine is plenty powerful, and it feels like a sports car. A sports car that can handle the snow and mud! And at only $30,000, you wont mind getting it a bit dirty. I have yet to take it to the snow, as it is April in Fresno, CA and it has all but disappeared. I still have the summer tires that came with the car, but I plan on getting all weather this fall. The WRX can be a bit touchy in city traffic, in 1st or 2nd, but you get used to. My advice is that if you do not want to deal with a clutch like this on a daily basis, then look at other stick shift cars that are easier on the person shifting. What I mean is more forgiving. Or just spend the extra money and get the CVT (continuously variable transmission). After the first couple of weeks, I even started to doubt my penchant for driving stick shift. However, as I stuck (pun intended!) with it, I have been overjoyed that I did! So, if you are a Subaru WRX enthusiast, and want to feel like that kid that just got his first Camaro at the age of 16, then I highly recommend this car. It may not be for everybody, but I definitely is worth that test drive!

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  Subaru continues to refine the WRX - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Rob Weaver - September 19 - 7:55 am

  I traded my base 5 speed 2007 WRX Wagon in for a 6 speed 2016 WRX Limited in December 2015. After 5 months of driving, below are the good, the meh and the bad. GOOD Engine - The 2.0L Turbocharged engine is excellent. The powerband is very wide for such a small engine and pulls hard. Youll be going over the speed limit before you know it. Handling - The AWD system is terrific and big summer tires just beg you to go around corners at ridiculous speeds. Throw on some snow tires, and youll be tearing through snow cursing at other drivers going at reasonable speeds in their inferior cars. Driving feel - The seats, steering wheel, instrumentation, and visibility are all set up very well. It feels like number one priority of this car is to give you excellent control of it. The seats hold you in place (even the leather ones in the limited) and are comfortable. The steering wheel is beefy and aesthetically fits the car well. The multi-functional display in the center of the dash is very useful and the option to have a digital speedometer is appreciated. The cabin is very open and 360 visibility is suburb. MEH Looks - I didnt like the looks of the car when I first saw it in 2015, but they have grown on me. It could never be considered a handsome car, but it does have a poised and aggressive enough look when you look at it from the right angle (going around a corner at a 45 degree angle). Clutch action & gearbox - The gearing is pretty decent overall, even if you wont spend much time in first gear. I do appreciate it that I can finally shift into first gear while moving in a Subaru. The gearbox is notchy, but that is appropriate for a car like this. The clutch action is grabby, much more so than my old WRX. The revs also tend to hang when you shift up, so that takes some getting used to. The interior - Based on reviews, I was expecting it to be pretty bad, but the interior really isnt too bad. It is a little too plastic-y with fake carbon fiber and whatnot, but you arent expecting luxury car when you buy this one. It is definitely a step up from the 07 WRX. BAD Stereo/entertainment system - The stereo is pretty weak and the bluetooth takes awhile to connect. I probably will try to upgrade this in the future. Wagon??? - Add my vote to the "Where the hell is the wagon?" chorus. I understand they had to concentrate on one design to get the chassis stiffness right, but why wasnt that design a 5 door? OVERALL I bought this car for the power, handling, and driveability. The car is even better than expected in that respect. If youre the type of driver I am, there isnt really anything in this price range that can do the same things as this car can. It is the type of car that makes me look forward to drive it and it makes me want to take the back roads, even if it takes a little longer.

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  The CVT WRX is really awesome! - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Don Dumas - September 16 - 5:18 pm

  Yeah I know I am a sissy cuz I got the paddle shifters WRX but in traffic the 6m is a Pain! So I opted for the WRX Limited 8spd 2016 that has ALL the new electronics (Eyesight etc.) that make it easier to stay out of accidents and all The only issue is the mileage-I am averaging 23-24 mpg on average hit 30+ on highway ..So have to fill it up every 300+ miles. Meanwhile my black on black REX is a ton of fun!! Ride is a bit rough on bad roads but, hey, its a sports sedan that Everyone likes!! UPDATE-The forward collision Saved Me a day or so ago-A guy pulled in my lane, then went into a turn lane then crazy quick came back in before I noticed it-The forward collision slowed it way down smoothly and save me a accident!. So I have it all-A fun sports 4 dr car that is dependable, gets decent mileage (29 mpg if all hwy), and looks great and stereo is awesome w sub and can fit 4 adults comfortably. Plus, my 26 year old son Wants It!!! (Im 61 but feel 39 in this car!!)

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  Best Car for the price.. - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Jesse Schurman - September 9 - 8:21 am

  This car is absolutely amazing. I have owned one since December of 2015 and have loved everything about it. The car is fun, practical, good in the snow, and many more great things. The only cons I could think of are the rough suspension and the loud road noise, but I knew what I was getting when I made the purchase and just feel that it makes the driving experience better. The car is my daily driver and it is perfect for it. If you do not love driving cars for fun then maybe this car isnt for you. For me as a younger person I love it and HIGHLY recommend it.

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  Best car Ive had to date, and had a 911 turbo - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By jb - July 5 - 1:50 am

  I love this car. It doesnt attract too much attention. It is reliable. Oil changes only. No rattles. Interior panels are durable and the ones you might wear (door) are literally 3 dollars or so each online...so you dont have to baby/worry/avoid using it...get in, drive, go. For the real world, this car is every bit as good as a 911. Less attentiona seeking for sure - which to me is a very good thing. Getting 34mpg hwy, 28city...the p car was 24/15.... The ride is comforable. I love the cvt on S# - whatever you read about the cvt, it is likely wrong...it is great and if you live in a metro area (most of us now), it is equal to the stick or perhaps even better....just do a traffic jam every day with a stick.....

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  2016 WRX 1 year and 26,000 miles later - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By valerysbills@gmail.com - May 19 - 6:50 pm

  Bought one after being urban and car-free for 2 years. Had SAAB turbos before and wanted something fun with a stick which is becoming harder and harder to get in the US. Always wanted a WRX and was hoping for a 2nd hand clean STI which turned out harder to find than I though. Bought new since the Prem was within my budget (should have ordered Limited for the lights alone). The Good: Nothing offers AWD and this much fun for the price. Tons of aftermarket goodies for tuning. Good fuel economy for a near 300 hp car. Little turbo lag. Beast in the snow when I put snow tires on it. Far better interior quality than that FisherPrice plastics that Subies have been known for. The Bad: Interior is still cheap with a lot of rattles. Stock ECU tune is crap... falls flat on its face at 4,300 rpm and a COBB tune is a must (or a pro-tune). Headlights on prem and base have poor output. Interior ergonomics are 3/10.... One-touch window for driver only (in 2016!!!), no light sensor to adjust dashboard brightness (in 2016!!!!). A lot of engine movement which leads to sloppy shifter feel. Good car for the money but you will spend a lot of time and $$$ on aftermarket bits to remove/resolve some of the penny pinching that Subaru did.