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.