If you’re a fan of rallying, then you’ve no doubt heard of Subaru’s famous WRX.
Despite being a small, lightweight car, the WRX is a force to be reckoned with, proving its powerful racing performance with three consecutive manufacturers’ titles in the World Rally Championship (WRC). But what does WRX actually stand for and what makes it so special?
What Is the WRX?
In the 1990s, Subaru took its regular Impreza model, added a turbocharger to the engine, and transformed it into the WRX, which stands for World Rally eXperimental. The WRX is popular not just because Subaru has some of the most loyal customers in the industry. It’s also because the WRX is small and lightweight but packs a powerful punch. While the later models (2007 and onwards) are much more subdued than the older models, they still hold up well to the WRX name.
What Makes the WRX So Special?
WRX versus Impreza: which one’s better? Of course, it all boils down to what you’re looking for, but the WRX certainly has a few advantages over Subaru’s other Impreza models mainly to the following reasons:
Turbocharged Engine
One thing that sets the WRX apart from other Subaru vehicles is its turbocharged engine. Subaru took its iconic EJ20 engine, strapped a turbocharger to it, and slapped it under the hood of the WRX.
Fast and Versatile
The Subaru WRX is likely faster than most cars you see on the road, but another reason it’s so special is its sheer versatility.
It’s extremely easy to modify, and you’ll find plenty of aftermarket parts and tuners that are more than ready to transform your standard WRX into a superstar race car.
All-Wheel Drive
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is a standard feature on every WRX, which allows the car to effectively distribute engine torque to all four tires all of the time. This helps keep the car glued to the ground even when making tight turns at high speeds.
Active Torque Vectoring
The 2023 Subaru WRX has active torque vectoring, which allows it to take full advantage of its AWD system. What this means is that your WRX car can send all or some engine torque to a single wheel.
When cornering, the active torque vectoring gives more torque to the outside wheels, so they can rotate faster and give you better stability.
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Another neat feature of the 2023 WRX is its auto-dimming rearview mirror. When bright headlights close in from behind, the rearview mirror uses photosensors to automatically dim their reflection.
Impressive HVAC System
The 2023 WRX is built for all kinds of weather, but it’s especially great for the winter. The WRX Premium, Limited, and GT models all have standard 3-mode heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
Paired with its AWD system, the WRX’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system makes it great for conquering snowy winter days.
Disadvantages of the WRX
Unfortunately, as impressive as the WRX is, it isn’t perfect. It comes with its fair share of disadvantages that might be a dealbreaker for some. Here are some examples:
Poor Fuel Economy
For all its great features, the WRX unfortunately suffers from poor fuel economy. The 2022 WRX has an impressive 2.4-liter turbo-four engine, but it only manages to rate at 19 miles per gallon (mpg) on city roads and 25 mpg on the highway.
Undersized Trunk
While the 2023 WRX offers a lot more headroom for front passengers, it doesn’t have much to offer in terms of cargo space. It has around 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space, which is less than the average 14 cubic feet in its class.
How Much Does the Subaru WRX Cost?
If you’re thinking of buying yourself a Subaru WRX, then you might want to consider all of your options first. There’s no shortage of WRX models on the market, but some of them do rank higher among consumers than others.
The 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 WRX all have good reviews among consumers, and according to the Kelley Blue Book, you can buy a used 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX anywhere from $7,570 to $9,070.
If you’ve got your eyes on the latest 2023 model, then you can expect to spend anywhere above $30,000 for the Standard model and upwards of $33,000 for the Premium one.
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