2023 Subaru WRX

Overview

It’s been more than 30 years since the World Rally Championship hosted a competition here in the States, and cars inspired by this fast and dirty motorsport are few and far between. While 2015 marked the raucous Mitsubishi Evolution’s final stage, its legendary pro-rally rival, the Subaru WRX, lives on as a more subdued version of its previous STI self. Available as a four-door sedan only (sorry, hatchback fans), the WRX is powered by a 271-horsepower turbocharged flat-four engine bolted to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT might be a tough sell to hard-core WRX fans, but it’s actually the most rapid way to reach 60 mph. Unlike competitors such as the Hyundai Elantra N and Volkswagen GTI, the WRX comes standard with all-wheel drive. It hasn’t forgotten its roots, though it drives more conservatively than before. Its chassis provides predictable handling and something akin to suppleness over the bumps rather than race-car ride stiffness. However, now that American rally fans have to live without the high-performance STI version of the WRX, the Toyota GR Corolla has the biggest brap in town.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

1

Honda Civic Type R

STARTING AT: $44,390

2

Toyota GR Corolla

STARTING AT: $36,995

3

Honda Civic Si

STARTING AT: $29,595

4

Volkswagen Golf GTI

STARTING AT: $31,625

5

Volkswagen Golf R

STARTING AT: $45,835

8

Subaru WRX

STARTING AT: $31,625

What's New for 2023?

The Subaru WRX returns for 2023 without any significant changes. Subaru tells us they’ve added rear-seat head restraints for all three seating positions and have enlarged those same restraints to comply with safety standards that mitigate whiplash in case of an accident.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We would choose the WRX's Premium model with the standard six-speed manual transmission. It offers a good combination of equipment without getting too expensive like the loaded automatic-only GT model.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Under the WRX's hood is a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four-cylinder engine. Its 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque route through either a standard six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Per tradition, every WRX has all-wheel drive. Those who opt for the automatic, which can also be controlled via paddle shifters on the steering wheel, can also select from three different drive-mode settings. The auto-only GT trim also comes with adaptive dampers. A set of 17- or 18-inch wheels shod with summer performance tires are also available. We've driven the WRX and appreciated its smoother ride and improved refinement over the last generation. At our test track, the six-speed manual WRX powered through to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 101 mph. The GT model, with its standard CVT, managed a quicker 5.4-second zero-to-60-mph time but it was slower through the quarter-mile, eclipsing that marker in 14.1 seconds at the same 101 mph.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The WRX is rated by the EPA to deliver 22 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 21 mpg with the optional CVT automatic. On our real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy route, both our six-speed manual WRX Limited and our automatic WRX GT test vehicles managed 28 mpg. For more information about the WRX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the WRX looks a lot like other contemporary Subaru models, except that it’s dressed up with carbon-fiber-like accents and red contrast stitching. There's a thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel as well as a set of analog gauges. The top-tier GT trim comes with heavily bolstered Recaro front seat covered in microsuede. The trunk can be accessed from inside the car via the 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Every WRX comes with a touchscreen infotainment system, but the base model features a 7.0-inch display while all other trims get a vertically oriented 11.6-inch one. The system relies primarily on touch inputs, although it does have some physical controls for the climate system and stereo. An 11-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system is also available. Otherwise, the WRX's list of standard multimedia features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The WRX is available with a variety of popular driver-assistance technology, but such equipment is only offered on models with the automatic transmission. For more information about the WRX's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Subaru's limited and powertrain warranty aren't anything special. Plus, rivals from Hyundai and Volkswagen benefit from some level of complimentary maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs