Subaru WRX Overview
The Subaru WRX was sold in Europe for years before being found in the United States. A similar Outback Sport model sold in the 1990s and early 2000s was mechanically similar to the WRX. The true Subaru WRX did not enter North AMerica until the third generation of the Impreza came in 2008. Offered as both a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, the Impreza WRX and its performance GT version were immediately popular in the U.S. despite having no automatic transmission option at the time. The FIA World Rally Cross (WRX) was becoming more and more popular in North America and Subaru vehicles' dominance of it was already well known. In 2012 the fourth generation of the Impreza was launched and with it the new WRX was introduced in 2014. The sedan was the only WRX option and the Impreza name was soon dropped from the WRX. Finally, the STi was introduced to North America. In 2016, a new fifth-generation Impreza was introduced by Subaru for the 2017 model year, based on a completely new global platform. This change did not affect the WRX or WRX STI, which are still built upon the previous-generation platform. They are expected to be redone for the 2020 model year. The Subaru WRX is well known for its positive clutch and fast shifting. This has resulted in the top consumer complaint being with failed clutches. Often this is due to the clutch not being positively engaged ("dragging") during a shift, leading to eventual clutch plate failure. This complaint is most common in the 2015 model year, but usually at low mileage while still under warranty.
Test Drive Reviews
2018 Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX, named for the World Rally Cross, is designed as a rally racing sports car that is road legal and capable of hauling up to five people. In everyday use it's not as comfortable or as ergonomic as other sedans in the compact segment because, at its core, this is a sports car. Not a family hauler.
That said, the WRX is fully capable of hauling the family to the soccer game, grabbing some groceries and making weekend trips to grandma's. Even if grandma happens to live at the end of a long stretch of unpaved road. Which would be the WRX's preference anyway.
The 2018 Subaru WRX carries forward with changes made last year, coming in two flavors with several trim levels. The standard 2018 WRX is lower-cost and less complex than its more powerful, race-ready WRX STI stablemate. For 2018 a new front fascia, some steering and suspension tuning, and interior noise insulation are added to the WRX.
For those looking for a fun but practical sports car, the Subaru WRX definitely fits the bill.
See the full 2018 Subaru WRX Test Drive Review.
2017 Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX gets its name from World Rally Cross - and that explains the car's focus. Yes, it's a four-door sedan capable of toting the family around and grabbing some groceries in everyday use, but this is also an on/off-road racer made for spitting gravel and sliding corners. The fact that it can do that other stuff is icing on an already sweet cake.
The WRX comes in two flavors and several trim levels. The WRX is the standard version of this rally machine and the WRX STI is the more powerful, race-ready version. Each has several trim levels and package options to go with.
The 2017 Subaru WRX carries through with the updates made to this generation of the rally car. A few detail changes for the interior mark the only difference between this WRX and the 2016 model. Next year for 2018, Subaru has promised a mid-cycle refresh for this fun little goer.
For those who want excitement in their daily drive but need the versatility of a small family car with a spacious trunk, the 2017 Subaru WRX is one of the best choices available. If comfort and convenience are your top priorities, the WRX may not be your thing.
See the full 2017 Subaru WRX Test Drive Review.
2016 Subaru WRX
When the Subaru WRX (World Rallycross) was introduced about a decade ago, it was an almost instant success. It combined the everyday practicality of a compact family car (the Impreza) with a performance-focus built for rally. The combination of daily use ergonomics and Subaru's legendary all-wheel drive performance was immediately appealing.
A new generation of the WRX was introduced last year and has been refined for the 2016 model year. The new 2016 Subaru WRX retains the stiff chassis and suspension of the previous generation, but adds a little more bang for the buck with a modern infotainment upgrade.
The 2016 WRX is a powerfully fun little car that seats up to five, has enough trunk space for groceries (or a couple of full-sized spares, depending on your plans), and is equally at home jetting up the street for that forgotten salad dressing or flying over the dirt to drift corners and bounce across a finish line.
When the new-generation WRX appeared, many enthusiasts were disappointed at the loss of the hatchback option. This is understandable, but the new sedan styling and dropping of the Impreza name shows a more focused performance-built WRX that every fan will fully appreciate.
Without a doubt, the 2016 Subaru WRX is one of the best sports car options on the market today and is without rival in its rally-driving credibility and factory-ready race build.
See the full 2016 Subaru WRX Test Drive Review.
