2021 Subaru WRX

History/Overview

The Subaru WRX compact sport sedan shares some DNA with the Impreza economy car, but the similarities end there. The WRX traces its lineage to years of successful World Rally Championship racing, much of which happened long before the WRX’s 2000 arrival in North America.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2021, the WRX Sport gains passive keyless entry and push-button engine start, and Sport-tech 6MT models add Brembo brakes with red calipers. The WRX STI Sport-tech gains a Bilstein suspension.

Available Trims

Subaru offers the WRX in base, Sport, Sport-tech, STI, STI Sport, and STI Sport-tech. Entry-level power comes from a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine, which comes with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). STI models trade up to a 2.5L engine offered exclusively with the six-speed. All-wheel drive is standard across the line.

Standard Features

The base WRX’s standard features include heated/power side mirrors, auto on/off headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a wiper de-icer, a 6.5-inch infotainment display, six-speaker audio, automatic A/C, a leather-trimmed shifter, and heated front seats.

Sport’s additions are LED fog lights, steering-responsive LED headlights, a sunroof, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, passive keyless entry, and a 10-way power driver’s seat.

Sport-tech models gain Brembo brakes with red calipers, 18-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with navigation, a nine-speaker stereo, and leather seating.

WRX Sport and Sport-tech with the optional CVT also add the EyeSight suite of driver safety assists, which comprises forward collision warning with auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise, rear auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist.

STI adds front and rear limited-slip differentials, and dual-zone A/C, and deletes LED fog lights and passive keyless entry.

STI Sport gets 19-inch wheels, passive keyless with trunk access, 10-way power driver’s seat, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and a sunroof.

STI Sport-tech gets the 7.0-inch navi touchscreen, nine-speaker audio, and an eight-way power driver’s seat.

Key Options

The WRX’s sole option is a choice between rear lip and wing spoilers on STI Sport-tech trim.

Fuel Economy

Subaru estimates the WRX’s fuel consumption at 11.7/8.7 L/100 km (city/highway) with the manual transmission, and 12.9/9.7 L/1000 km with the optional automatic CVT. The WRX STI’s ratings are 14.4/10.8 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

Subaru’s WRX models compete with the Volkswagen GTI and Golf R, the Audi S3, and Mini Cooper JCW. Other competitors include the Hyundai Veloster N and Honda Civic Type R.