2023 Subaru WRX Limited and GT test drive review

Full disclosure: I love the Subaru WRX — or, as it once was called, the Impreza WRX. The WRX was one of the cars that started my car obsession. I vividly remember reading (and re-reading) the October 2001 issue of Car and Driver where they compared the new (to the states) Subaru Impreza WRX to the Audi S4 and BMW 330xi. 

I’ll never forget how impressed I was that a little bug-eyed rally car from Japan could punch so far above its weight. While the BMW and Audi were cool, the WRX gave me hope. It felt accessible; it felt fun and aligned more with my personality than the luxuries afforded by its upscale German competition. It was described as “pure joy,” cabin and road noise notwithstanding.

Photo by Subaru Media

The WRX became a symbol to me. I didn’t need to come from luxury roots, I just needed to be really, really good at what I was, and then maybe I too could punch above my weight — albeit with a little road noise. Shop 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

This sent me on a trajectory in my car ownership I could never have imagined. While the 2002-2003 generation has remained elusive to my ownership history (someday, sigh), I have owned three Subaru WRXs: a 2011 Impreza WRX hatchback, a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi and a 2020 Subaru WRX STI. I enjoyed them all for different reasons, but the 2011 was a special fulfillment of a decade-long dream. It’s still one of my favorite cars I’ve owned. Why do we sell these things?

Photo by Subaru Media

Thus, when Subaru offered my wife and me the opportunity to drive the latest generation WRX in Los Angeles and in Salt Lake City, of course we jumped on it.

In LA, Subaru put us in its top trim WRX, the GT, which includes Subaru Performance Transmission and adaptive dampers. We drove several hundred miles from LA to and around San Diego and back again. The next week in Salt Lake, we drove the Limited trim WRX with a 6-speed manual transmission. Both were great experiences. Find 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

Photo by Subaru Media

Price and value 

One of the WRX’s selling points has always been value, and that continues with the latest VB generation, even if prices have crept up in recent years. The MSRP range for the 2023 Subaru WRX is $30,605-$43,395. It is available in four trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a 271-horsepower turbocharged boxer engine, all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below. Pricing is for 2023 models.

Base: $30,605 See listings

Dual 7-inch multimedia with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

Vehicle dynamics control with active torque vectoring 

Six speaker stereo

• Premium: $33,105 See listings

Subaru Starlink 11.6-inch multimedia plus 

Keyless access and push-button start

Dual-zone automatic climate control

• Limited: $37,495 See listings

10-way power driver’s seat

Power moonroof

LED steering responsive headlights

• GT: $43,395 See listings

Electronically adjustable dampers

Reverse automatic braking

Recaro performance design front seats

While the 2024 WRX TR had not been released as of this writing, expect it to cost less than the GT but more than the Limited. It will include upgrades such as Brembo brakes and Recaro seats, but it forgoes some features found in the Limited trim.

We’ll say upfront, the Limited or GT trims are the way to go. Springing for the Limited gives you wonderful suede upholstery, LED headlights, a nicer stereo and some must-have safety tech. The top GT trim is only available with the Subaru Performance Transmission, but it’s still an excellent choice for the right buyer.

As far as warranty coverage goes, it’s nothing special. Subaru offers a limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles. No complimentary maintenance is offered.

Photo by Subaru Media

Exterior appearance and functionality

A lot has been said about the WRX GT online, mostly from whining enthusiasts. And we admit, we thought they might be right. The top trim WRX is only available with a continuously variable transmission? It’s the only trim with Recaro seats? What about adjustable dampers for the rest of the trims? It’s tempting to think the whole trim was misguided. Then we drove it.

Arriving in Los Angeles, with its rutted highways and traffic, we knew this would be the perfect location for testing out the GT’s SPT transmission and adjustable suspension.

In person, the VB WRX looks much better than in photos. I’m over the plastic body cladding, and the side profile is genuinely attractive, even if it does reduce rear-seat headroom. The body has a low, wide, athletic stance that looks refreshingly unique among other modern sedans on the road these days.

Aesthetically, from the exterior there’s nothing to differentiate the GT and Limited trims. Our GT tester was finished in Ignition Red and our Limited tester was finished in Solar Orange Pearl. Both looked excellent and paired nicely with the honeycomb body cladding. Other notable colors include Sapphire Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica and Subaru’s famous World Rally Blue. Shop 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

Photo by Subaru Media

Interior comfort and convenience

Climb inside the GT’s interior and it’s instantly familiar, yet new, and wide open. Seriously, no one does visibility better than Subaru and we loved seeing out so clearly. There’s also plenty of space for front and rear occupants. Rear headroom issues aside, four adults will be comfortable, with plenty of leg, knee and shoulder room. There’s an even greater feeling of spaciousness in the Limited, as the center console isn’t eaten up by the SPT gear selector.

The real highlight of the GT’s interior is the aggressive and attractive Recaro seats. They’re excellent, and we thought we had to have them, until we drove the Limited. The Recaros, while extra supportive for aggressive driving, are ultimately unnecessary in this trim. Sure, they are premium feeling and looking, but they feel out of place in the GT trim’s more everyday nature. 

Photo by Subaru Media

The Limited seats, upholstered in a similar (if not the same) Ultrasuede, are still nicely bolstered and offer more everyday comfort. This is ironic because the GT seems more attuned to being your comfortable daily driver. We drove for several hours in the Recaros over rough LA freeways and didn’t feel fatigued at all, especially with the nice heating functionality. If Subaru would make the Recaros an option on the Limited and GT trims, everyone would be happy.

The WRX’s interior is practical for hauling people and gear. The trunk is spacious, especially with the rear seats folded flat. One thought we had while driving these cars is just how strongly they make the argument to be someone’s only car. They’re fun, practical, safe, comfortable and decently efficient — what more do you need? If you only need or want one car, the WRX should be on your shortlist. Shop all 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

Photo by Subaru Media

Driving impressions

When it comes to affordable all-wheel drive performance vehicles, the WRX is used to being king of the hill. However, competition has been heating up in recent years. As nice as the interior and exterior upgrades are to this generation, the WRX’s selling point has always been how it drives.

Does the new WRX still punch above its weight? The VB WRX generation drives like all the WRXs you’ve known and loved in the past, but better. Both the Limited and GT trims feel familiar and uniquely Subaru. 

GT

Let’s talk specifics. First, the GT’s Subaru Performance Transmission is surprisingly excellent. Only a few times did it reveal its true CVT colors. The rest of the time? It was snappy, fast and intuitive. Subaru clearly put a lot of time and engineering into making its CVT feel this way and should be commended for it.

It is in no way boring, and a genuinely good choice for those wanting to move on from their three-pedal days. In other words, it’s the perfect transmission for LA traffic. As a bonus, it can achieve excellent fuel economy. On the trip to San Diego from LA, it averaged nearly 29 mpg — not bad at all for an all-wheel drive turbocharged rally car.

Photo by Subaru Media

The GT’s adaptive suspension bits weren’t quite as impressive. There’s certainly a difference to be felt going from the most comfortable setting to the most sporty; still, it wasn’t as dramatic a change as expected. That said, we were grateful for maximum comfort on LA roads, as it did a nice job of absorbing road imperfections.

As a package, the GT still provides all the fun that the WRX nameplate is known for. There were many times we giggled while glued around tight corners and cutting through traffic, thanks to Subaru’s always excellent all-wheel drive — a favorite feature for Utahns. The power is also much more linear than it has been in the past. It’s predictable and abundant. Gone are the days of waiting for power — now you have it all the time.

If there’s a complaint, it’s with Subaru’s EyeSight technologies. They’re very sensitive, beeping almost incessantly. It was more annoying than helpful, and we wanted the option to turn it off. Maybe you can, but we couldn’t figure out how. Shop all 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

Limited

As much as we enjoyed the GT on the streets of LA, the Limited was more my flavor. The regular Ultrasuede seats were almost as supportive as the Recaros and better for daily driving. The Limited was missing some of the driver assistance tech, but it wasn’t missed. We’ll be honest, there wasn’t much difference between the GT’s adaptive dampers and the Limited’s standard suspension. It seemed to handle just as well and was never punishing over rougher roads.

Photo by Subaru Media

We also enjoyed the Limited’s 6-speed manual transmission, even if it could use some stiffer bushings and shorter throws — something that can be solved by a quick visit to the dealer. There’s just something about the manual transmission that feels so quintessentially WRX, so classic and old-school. It brings the car to life in a way that the SPT can’t. 

If you aren’t sitting in traffic all the time, the 6-speed manual is hard to pass up. Be warned, though, the 6,000 rpm redline comes at you quickly. It takes some getting used to, but once you do it’s a blast to wring out. 

The best part of the WRX, though, is the sweet combination of power, all-wheel drive balance and sharp handling. The WRX is most at home while carving up canyons and ripping through gears. Sure it doesn’t make as much power as some of its rivals, nor is it as rowdy. But boy, when the WRX is allowed to stretch its legs, this thing satisfies. Find 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

Photo by Subaru Media

So, which do you buy?  

We may have been skeptical at first, but the GT trim is genuinely nice to drive. It’s well-appointed, comfortable and an excellent sporty daily driver. It’s also nearly $44,000. 

The Limited is more in line with what you expect and want from a traditional WRX experience. It has all the modern features and honestly, we didn’t feel shortchanged not having the fancy Recaro seats, adaptive dampers or additional safety tech. Pricing out at $37,495, the Limited’s value is compelling. It’s the trim I’d pick.

As for the Premium and Base trims, they’re decent values. But the Limited’s LED steering responsive headlights, Ultrasuede upholstered seats, Harman Kardon premium audio system, moonroof, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert make it an easy choice — and worth the money —  over the Premium trim.

Regardless of trim, the WRX finds itself as an underrated stalwart in the segment. Could it use more power? Sure. But the WRX’s recipe is hard to ignore. In fact, it’s pretty darn delicious — even after 22 years.

Shop all 2022 and newer Subaru WRX models on KSL Cars

FAQs

Who should buy the WRX GT? 

For those wanting a more mature WRX and an adept traffic commuter, the GT trim is for you. The Recaro seats aren’t a necessity, but at least they are comfortable enough for daily driving. The WRX GT is practical and fun enough to easily be your only car.

Who should buy the WRX Limited? 

If you want a modern WRX with plenty of its traditional rally sport flavor, the Limited trim is for you. This generation provides the classic WRX charm and fun we all know and love. It’s also more comfortable, faster and better handling than it's ever been; it’s the best WRX yet. 

Is the WRX good for families?

Surprisingly, yes. The backseat is very accommodating, as is the trunk. It won’t compete with an SUV or van, but it works just fine for toting around kids in short stints.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com