Overview
Part sports car, part rally racer, the 2024 WRX is a performance powerhouse that shares merely a familial resemblance with Subaru’s Impreza compact car. The WRX is its own animal, powered by a 271-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four which drives all four wheels through either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Like it or not, the CVT car is quicker, hitting 60 mph in 5.4 seconds at our test track. The manual car is more fun to drive through and it’s not far behind, with a 60-mph time of 5.5 seconds. Handling is lithe and the WRX attacks corners eagerly, but in the transition to this latest generation, Subaru dialed in more refinement, and out went some of the WRX’s charming immaturity. Other sport compacts have picked up the slack, namely the Hyundai Elantra N and the Toyota GR Corolla, both of which offer similar thrills with more boy-racer attitude.
What’s New for 2024?
Subaru is adding a range-topping TR model to the WRX lineup for 2024. In the past, the TR model was a stripped-down variant intended for buyers who planned to tune the car for themselves, but this WRX TR is already equipped with performance upgrades. Brembo brakes, stiffer springs, a retuned steering rack, Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, Recaro seats, and a six-speed manual transmission are all standard. Elsewhere in the WRX lineup, cars equipped with the manual transmission now come with driver-assistance features previously limited to models with the continuously variable automatic.
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 WRX with the manual transmission hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and it completed the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 101 mph. The WRX GT model, with its standard CVT, reached 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, but it was slower through the quarter-mile, eclipsing that marker in 14.1 seconds at the same 101 mph.
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 seats covered in microsuede. The trunk can be accessed from inside the car via the 60/40 split-folding rear seat.
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 includes 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 warranties 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
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Subaru WRX Limited
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $36,990/$36,990
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 146 in3, 2387 cm3
Power: 271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.4-in vented disc
Tires: Dunlop Sport Maxx GT 600 A
245/40R-18 97Y
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.2 in
Length: 183.8 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 57.8 in
Passenger Volume: 98 ft3
Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 3401 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.9 sec @ 101 mph
130 mph: 26.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 10.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 7.7 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 145 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 317 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.95 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/19/26 mpg
2022 Subaru WRX GT
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $43,390/$43,390
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 146 in3, 2387 cm3
Power: 271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.8-in vented disc
Tires: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 A
245/40R-18 97Y
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.2 in
Length: 183.8 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 57.8 in
Passenger Volume: 98 ft3
Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 3552 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.4 sec
100 mph: 13.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.1 sec @ 101 mph
130 mph: 28.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 134 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 326 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.93 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/19/25 mpg
Source: www.caranddriver.com