2024 Subaru WRX Review

Famed for its rally-bred abilities on the road and equally respected for its practical nature, the Subaru WRX has stood as strong as a beacon for those looking for a fast yet family-friendly package.

For 2024, the WRX range retains both sedan and wagon body shapes, though a new variant has entered the mix, as well as some long-awaited additions to the WRX’s safety equipment lists.

Is 2024 the perfect time to buy a Subaru WRX? Let’s take a closer look at the range to find out.

Subaru WRX Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

The 2024 Subaru WRX Sedan range is priced from $47,490 for the entry-level Manual, with the WRX Automatic priced at $49,990. The new WRX Club Spec SE Manual is priced at $52,590, with the RS Manual priced at $52,990 and RS Automatic priced at $55,490.

The flagship WRX tS Sedan receives a sticker price of $57,990.

For those looking for a wagon-bodied WRX experience, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon Automatic is priced at $51,790, with the WRX GT Sportswagon Automatic priced at $57,290 and the flagship WRX tS Sportswagon Automatic priced at $59,790.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Subaru WRX (AWD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the 2024 Subaru WRX Have?

The entry-level Subaru WRX Sedan comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receive responsive LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, 4.2-inch driver display, adjustable driving modes, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera and tyre pressure monitoring.

Over this, Subaru’s entry-level WRX Sportswagon picks up ambient interior lighting, electric-folding rear seats, dual charge ports in the rear cabin and an upgraded sound system.

Subaru’s limited-edition WRX Club Spec picks up a bespoke set of 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone S007 rubber, upgraded Brembo brakes, steering and suspension, an STI rear wing and Recaro sports seats.

The WRX RS Sedan & WRX Sportswagon GT pick up Ultrasuede or leather upholstery with heated front & rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, LED puddle lights, front and side-view monitors, Subaru’s driver monitoring system and EyeSight Monitor for automatic variants.

Finally, the range-topping WRX tS picks up adaptive, electronically-controlled dampers with comfort and sport modes as well as Ultrasuede upholstery.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

All members of the Subaru WRX range receive the company’s latest technology suite, headlined by a large 11.6-inch vertically-mounted touchscreen display that receives DAB+ digital radio and is paired with a six-speaker sound system.

The unit is large, responsive to inputs and gives the cabin a particularly modern vibe thanks to its substantial size.

Stepping up to the WRX Sportswagon range adds a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.

Does the Subaru WRX Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Subaru’s technology updates for the WRX have extended to its smartphone mirroring and access to your favourite apps on the move.

This means buyers pick up both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with even the entry-level WRX, with Subaru offering wireless smartphone connectivity across the range.

Owners can also charge and connect their iPhone or Android device to the WRX via one of the USB ports.

Is the Subaru WRX Fun to Drive?

While it might not be as hardcore as some of its die-hard fans may demand, the Subaru WRX remains true to its original design brief: offering high-paced thrills and exceptional cornering abilities.

Power for the WRX range comes supplied by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that kicks out 202kW of power and 350Nm of torque to all four wheels via Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive system with torque-vectoring.

Notably, Subaru offers the WRX Sedan with a choice of CVT automatic and a six-speed manual gearbox, though unfortunately, the CVT is the only option for the WRX Sportswagon.

The manual is a no-brainer for enthusiasts, with the CVT automatic somewhat spoiling the engagement when you’re really pushing it.

On the road, the WRX is engaging on its six-second sprint to 100km/h, though the package shines when you begin to throw it around and test out its handling.

In short, the WRX handles like it’s on rails, offering immense grip thanks to its sports suspension package, torque vectoring and confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive system.

The minimal amount of understeer you do encounter doesn’t spoil the fun, while the WRX’s fun-loving personality becomes an intoxicating chance at testing out the sheer level of grip on offer.

All this performance hasn’t come without a cost to its everyday driveability, though, with the unforgivingly firm suspension pack making the flagship tS’ adaptive damper system a worthwhile upgrade.

Having said that, you can indeed drive the WRX on a daily basis (relatively) comfortably, so long as you’re surrounded by silky-smooth city streets, or you’re willing to invest in a cushion for your lower back.

Once you’re hopping around town, the WRX package is pretty user-friendly thanks to its proportions and a hefty list of new safety equipment that make daily driving less of a headache.

Is the Subaru WRX Fuel Efficient?

As you might imagine, the pursuit of performance from the WRX’s 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder means it’s not the most fuel-efficient four-pot on the market.

If you’re curious, the WRX with a CVT automatic is by far the most fuel-efficient, returning a claimed 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle, increasing significantly to 9.9L/100km in the WRX Manual.

How Much Fuel Does the Subaru WRX Use Around Town?

• WRX Automatic: 11.2L/100km

• WRX Manual: 13.8L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Subaru WRX Use on the Highway?

• WRX Automatic: 7.0L/100km

• WRX Manual: 7.7L/100km

Is the Subaru WRX Practical and Spacious?

The WRX has long been celebrated for its combination of high-speed thrills and family-friendly touches, though the previous generation wasn’t quite the heavy-hitter when it came to interior space.

Thankfully, though, Subaru has gone back to the drawing board and the latest-generation WRX is bigger and more comfortable than the one before it - regaining some true versatility in the process.

Up front, the WRX’s low-slung driving position proves very accommodating to taller drivers, with decent width in the cabin that adds to the sense of space, while the sports seats are comfortable while offering healthy side bolstering.

The layout is very familiar to the rest of Subaru’s updated range which is a good thing in terms of ergonomics and usability, though some added special touches wouldn’t go astray.

The central display is flanked by physical buttons for the media and climate control settings, which is a nice touch, though you will need to fiddle with the touchscreen to adjust the fan settings.

In terms of storage up front, the WRX offers a decent-sized storage tray behind the gear lever, a small stash spot flanked by two cup holders, added storage inside the folding armrest and glove box, as well as large door bins on either side of the cabin.

Move to the rear and there are some major improvements for rear occupant comfort, with the WRX now able to accommodate adults behind a reasonably leggy driver without a problem.

Cabin width isn’t outstanding in the sedan, though there’s enough headroom for adults to get comfortable which is a major improvement over the previous gen WRX, with the Sportswagon proving the stand-out for practicality.

Rear seat amenities include a folding armrest with cup holders, moderate-sized bottle holders inside the door sills, USB ports and heated seats in certain variants.

Finally, for the parents out there, the WRX receives a pair of ISOFIX anchors on each of the outboard seats as well as three top tether mounts.

How Big is the Subaru WRX’s Boot?

It will come as no surprise that the WRX Sportswagon is the go-to option for large families looking for the most practical sports car package.

Boot space in the WRX Sedan varies between 411 - 414L, depending on the variant.

The WRX Sportswagon range offers far more versatility when it comes to cargo, with its 492L boot expanding to a very healthy 909L with the second row folded to accommodate tall and bulky gear for a weekend away.

Is the Subaru WRX Safe?

One of the major upgrades for the MY24 WRX range has been the addition of more active safety gear for the WRX Manual, which was previously reserved for the CVT automatic.

Now you’ll find active safety gear like forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking & steering, emergency lane-keep assist, lane centring, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, curtain airbags and a rear-view camera as standard for both the WRX automatic and manual.

Stepping up to the WRX RS range adds driver attention monitoring, while the WRX automatic range picks up automatic headlights, traffic sign recognition and a speed limiter.

Does the Subaru WRX Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Subaru WRX is yet to be officially tested by ANCAP and therefore does not have an ANCAP safety rating.

What Warranty Does the Subaru WRX Come With?

Subaru offers the WRX range with the company’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The company also offers five years of capped-price servicing, with intervals set at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru WRX Worth it?

While the MY24 WRX definitely rides on the firmer side, we think this more authentic recipe will resonate well with enthusiasts of the brand who may have noticed previous versions getting a little bit soft over time.

The latest WRX is one that doesn’t apologise for its hardcore approach to motoring thrills, while retaining an impressively practical interior with some much-needed upgrades to its entertainment and safety technology suites.

As a result, we think it remains a family-friendly performance package certainly deserving of a spot on your shortlist.

On that note, if you’re looking for a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Subaru WRX Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 202kW/350Nm

3. 6.0 second 0-100km/h sprint rises to 6.1 seconds in CVT automatic

4. 8.5L/100km fuel economy figures rise to 9.9L/100km in manual

5. 411 - 492L boot space (Sedan v Sportswagon)