2023 Subaru WRX

Pros:

• All-wheel drive is standard, making the car more stable and faster.
• Available The 11.6-inch touchscreen for the entertainment system is easy to read.
• Speeded up quickly
• Handling that is both fun and reliable

Cons:

• Inefficient fuel consumption
• The din created by the traffic and the gusts of wind
• Most car driver-aids will only work if you order the automatic transmission.

Where does the WRX’s power come from? Even though the WRX isn’t as fast as some of its rivals, it’s a lot of fun to drive. On Edmunds’ test track, the WRX we tested with a manual transmission went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds. You have to use a lousy launch method to get there, but it takes little time. Our test driver believes: “I’ll be honest: when I tried to launch this car, I thought I had broken it. When you let go of the clutch, the driveline shock is so strong and harsh that I thought there was a pile of metal on the ground. Even though the engine has been upgraded, there is still a lot of turbo lag below 3,000 rpm. This means that starting at 5,000 rpm, the clutch must be depressed for the best launch.” The WRX with an automatic transmission has yet to be tried out.

On the road with turns, the WRX is excellent at flying from one turn to the next. It’s a great, exciting car because it has strong midrange power, an all-wheel-drive grip, a smooth suspension, and quick steering.

We hoped that the WRX’s brakes would be more responsive and stop the car better than they do. The pedal is way too soft for something so athletic. On our test track, the WRX could stop from 60 mph in 110 feet, which is a reasonable distance for the segment.

The level of comfort in the WRX is… The WRX has some of the most comfortable seats and rides in its class. It’s important to note that after driving the WRX for several hours, we didn’t feel too tired or sore. When you turn, the chairs keep you in place and give you enough support.

Even though the large central touchscreen that holds the climate controls can be confusing and distracting, most owners will learn how to use them quickly. The WRX makes a lot of noise. At high speeds, the wind noise over the doors and mirrors is noticeable, and the engine makes a slight rumble on the highway.

How does the inside look? The front of the WRX feels big for its class, so it should be easy to find a comfortable driving position. The driver’s seat and the column that turns the wheel can both be changed. All of the controls in the cabin are easy to reach, except for the screen in the middle, which seems hard to use. Navigating is usually straightforward. It’s not a good idea to put your friends with long legs in the back seat because the transmission tunnel runs through the middle of the floor.

The WRX is easy to get in and out of because the doors open wide. Once inside, the large windows give a clear view of what’s ahead. When compared to other cars in the same class, the high trunk line makes it harder to see out the back, but this is not a big problem.

How good is the tech? The 11.6-inch central screen is the most noticeable thing inside the WRX Limited. It responds quickly to commands and shows images that are easy to see. Some users might not like that the layout is in portrait mode, but it’s easy to learn how to use its features. The screen is apparent and has a high contrast, which makes it easy to see where to go and how to get there. The Harman Kardon 11-speaker stereo is also great. It has a high-quality sound that can be played at high volumes.

Smartphone connections are quick, and voice controls are easy to use because the system can understand most spoken languages and gives many on-screen hints. Even though our test vehicle didn’t have adaptive cruise control or forward collision avoidance, the blind-spot monitoring system and lane-keeping assist worked without any false alarms or alerts that were too sensitive.

What about putting things away? A lot of cars compete with the WRX, and many of them are only available as hatchbacks or as both sedans and hatchbacks. The trunks of the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N are more significant than the WRX’s. Luckily, the back seats can be folded so bigger things can fit.

Smartphones and small water bottles fit in the storage for small items. The wide doors should make it easy to put child seats in the back, but there is less room for bigger seats because of the limited legroom.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA says that a WRX with a manual transmission will get a combined mileage of 22 mpg, which is one of the lowest in its class. On the Edmunds test loop, which was 115 miles long, the WRX got an average of 24 miles per gallon. Based on how well it gets gas, that’s precisely where we’d expect it to be, though some cars, like the Golf GTI and Elantra N, get better gas mileage.

Is it wise to buy a WRX? The quality of the build is excellent. Many of the materials inside the car are pleasant to touch, and the WRX gives off an air of sophistication right away. Unfortunately, the WRX gets less mpg than its competitors and less gas mileage than models from the previous generation, which could have been better. It’s one of the most expensive compact cars on the market and delivers top-notch performance.

The standard for the class, the WRX’s warranty covers the basics for three years and 36,000 miles, the powertrain for five years and 60,000 miles, and corrosion for five years and an unlimited number of miles. Roadside assistance is part of the standard warranty period.

The whole point of the WRX is to have fun. We’re sad that Subaru will no longer sell the even more powerful WRX STI, but the regular WRX beats the Impreza and is easy to drive daily. People have different opinions about the plastic panels that line the bodywork, especially in photos. However, they are easy to get used to in person and give the WRX a bit of style.

We like the Premium trim best. This model makes the most of the WRX’s value by giving you access to appealing features like 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control with two zones, the best infotainment system, and a premium sound system.

Subaru WRX vehicles

There are four different trim levels for the 2023 Subaru WRX sedan: base, Premium, Limited, and GT. Each one is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel. It has a six-speed manual transmission or a different transmission with a constantly changing gear ratio that powers all four wheels (the automaker calls the CVT automatic a Subaru Performance Transmission).