What is special about the Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX stands out as a high-performance sedan that pairs a turbocharged boxer engine with Subaru's signature symmetrical all-wheel drive, delivering rally-inspired handling and all-weather capability.
Foundation: engineering and heritage
To understand what makes the WRX special, it's helpful to look at the engineering choices that underpin its performance and the brand's rally heritage.
The boxer engine and all-wheel drive
The WRX uses a horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder engine. In the current generation, a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine produces roughly 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivering strong midrange pull and a low center of gravity that aids cornering stability. Paired with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive, this setup provides traction and composure across weather and road conditions.
Chassis and handling philosophy
The WRX's chassis is tuned for immediate responses and flat cornering behavior, drawing on decades of rally experience. The combination of a rigid platform, tuned suspension, and well-weighted steering aims to translate driver inputs into precise handling, whether on a winding road or a demanding track day.
Current-generation highlights
The latest WRX (introduced in 2022) refined power and refinement while keeping the core performance formula intact. It emphasizes a balance between daily usability and performance potential.
Here are the defining mechanical and feature traits of the modern WRX:
- 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine delivering about 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
- Standard six-speed manual transmission, with continuously variable transmission (CVT) available on some trims.
- Symmetrical all-wheel drive as a foundational characteristic, providing balanced traction and stability.
- Sport-oriented handling with a tuned chassis, responsive steering, and improved cornering grip for spirited driving.
- Modern interior and tech upgrades, including a larger infotainment display and compatibility with smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), plus Subaru's EyeSight safety suite.
The combination of a capable powertrain, AWD confidence, and driver-focused dynamics makes the WRX a distinctive option in the compact-performance segment, especially for drivers who value all-season capability and a raw driving connection.
What’s the status of the WRX and its high-performance variants?
As of 2025, Subaru continues to offer the WRX in its latest generation without a separate WRX STI model. The WRX remains the accessible entry point to Subaru's performance lineup, retaining its rally-bred DNA while incorporating modern safety tech and comfort features. There is ongoing interest in further performance-oriented variants, but no official STI replacement has been announced for the current generation.
Summary
The WRX stands out because it combines a turbocharged boxer engine with symmetrical all-wheel drive and rally-inspired chassis tuning, yielding a sedan with real performance credentials, strong traction in all weather, and everyday practicality. Its ongoing evolution preserves the core appeal while adding modern tech and safety features.
In short, the Subaru WRX is special for offering accessible, driver-focused performance with the brand's distinctive AWD system and flat-engine layout, rooted in a long rally heritage.
Does a WRX really need premium gas?
Performance models such as the WRX and BRZ require premium fuel to support higher compression engines and advanced performance tuning. Using the appropriate fuel keeps your Subaru running smoothly and gives you optimal gas mileage, saving money at the pump.
What is special about the WRX?
The Subaru WRX has long been a favorite among performance enthusiasts. With its turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive system, it's a car that promises excitement on the road.
What is the least stolen Subaru?
Another Kudo for the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek: It's on the “Least Stolen” List. Great news, Subie lovers! Not a single Subaru model is included on the most recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI)'s “Most-Stolen Vehicles” list.
Why are WRX being discontinued?
The Subaru WRX is not being discontinued, but the high-performance WRX STI model was. The STI was discontinued due to Subaru's pivot towards electrification, tightening emissions regulations, and the high cost of developing a new performance sedan with a short lifespan, especially as the market shifts from sedans to SUVs and electric vehicles.
- Electrification: Subaru is focusing on its future sports and performance cars being electrified to meet new regulations for zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) and improve corporate average fuel economy (CAFE).
- Emissions Regulations: Tighter greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations made it difficult to continue producing the gas-powered STI, particularly in key markets like California.
- Short Lifespan: Subaru stated that the return on investment for developing a new, gasoline-powered WRX STI would be poor given its predicted short lifespan under the new regulations, according to Road & Track.
- Market Shift: The market has shifted significantly from passenger cars to SUVs and crossovers, and the WRX is now the only sedan remaining in Subaru's lineup.
- Future Possibilities: Subaru is exploring opportunities for a next-generation STI, which may include electrification, but it will not be based on the new WRX platform. The company has also indicated that the STI brand may live on through other models.
