Subaru’s WRX is a street friendly rally car

All-wheel drive vehicles are popular in the Rocky Mountains due to the region’s four distinct seasons and intermittent poor road conditions. Even though sport utility vehicles and crossovers have been gaining sales momentum in recent years, some buyers prefer the nimble handling and lower step-in height of a traditional sedan or hatchback. Enter the Subaru WRX. This vehicle could be the perfect solution for that type of buyer, offering grippy traction, creature comforts and strong performance credentials. See all WRX listings

Photo Credit: Subaru

WRX background

Subaru is no stranger to building versatile vehicles. The automaker will turn 70 this July and first became known for pioneering its signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system over 50 years ago, in 1972. One of Subaru’s most popular models, the WRX, has ranked highly in KSL Cars searches in recent years. The model’s name was derived from the phrase “World Rally eXperimental” and was coined in 1992, when Subaru entered its Impreza sport compact car into the World Rally Championship. 

WRX did not become a standalone model nameplate until 2015. Prior to that, the name fell under the Impreza compact car lineup. To be fair, some of the underpinnings of the WRX were still shared with the Impreza long after the name change. In fact, the overall silhouette remained the same, along with the front doors, trunk lid and most of the interior. Check out all Subaru listings

Photo Credit: Subaru

One attribute that did not change about the WRX in its 30 year history was its positioning as an all-wheel drive sport compact car. The base WRX sedan was later accompanied by a performance oriented sibling, the WRX STi. Its name referred to “Subaru Tecnica International,” Subaru’s in-house motorsports and tuning division.

Equipment highlights

On November 19, 2013, the Subaru WRX made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It was deemed “a more powerful and better handling version of the brand’s iconic high-performance model.” The car emphasized a sophisticated sport sedan theme and delivered equipment including a stiffer chassis, performance suspension, larger brakes and higher fuel efficiency than the outgoing Impreza WRX. On top of that, the aesthetics were refined with narrow headlights, carbon fiber accents and 17-inch wheels.

Photo Credit: Subaru

Interior comforts

Moving to the interior of the cabin, the 2015 WRX boasted an inch longer wheelbase when compared to the prior model. That became evident in terms of creature comforts — especially for rear seat passengers who had two inches of additional leg room. Enhancements included a leather-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel, soft touch materials, a 3.5-inch LCD gauge, sport seats and available push-button start. The WRX took the existing Impreza’s design and elevated it to a new level.

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Fine tuning

The 2018 model year brought some important updates to the WRX that included new front and rear suspension tuning, which Subaru said improved both steering stability and ride comfort. Newly available were Recaro front seats, red-painted brake calipers and a larger multifunction display amped up the interior styling. Safety technology also advanced to include Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist camera system, which used sensors to detect possible hazards and act accordingly.

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Engines and transmissions

Two distinct power plants were offered for the 2015 and newer WRX. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged FA20F flat-four Boxer with output of 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual or a Lineartronic TR690 continuously variable transmission. The STi performance oriented variant came with a tuned 2.5-liter turbocharged EJ257 flat-four, with output of 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque mated exclusively to a TY85 6-speed manual transmission. The Environmental Protection Agency rated the 2021 Subaru WRX at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

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STi distinctions

Speaking specifically of the STi, additional features for this trim level included an underbody kit, a spoiler, a unique gauge cluster and race-ready Recaro seating. Most importantly, the STi had dual limited-slip differentials for optimized traction, updated quick-ratio steering, six-piston front brakes and a tuned suspension. All of this gear amounted to a more performance oriented driving experience when compared to the base WRX model. See WRX STi listings

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Are you next for the WRX?

Subaru has built over 30 years of rally-car knowledge into its WRX compact, proving that a versatile and efficient commuter car can have sporty aspirations as well as fun-to-drive dynamics. The best way to find out if the WRX is the right used car for you is to get behind the wheel and check one out. Head over to KSL Cars, where you will find a selection of WRX models waiting to tear up the pavement — or the gravel — near you. 

Photo Credit: Subaru

*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.