What is the Best Subaru WRX Year?
The Japanese compact car was bred for the track, yet offers enough versatility to be a practical option for the everyday driver. Which WRX models are the G.O.A.T?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The import performance scene was never the same after the little
Subaru
WRX made its debut in North America. Catered to street and rally enthusiasts, the fan-favorite sports car
is known for its safety, versatility, and reliability.Jerry
, the super car app
, breaks down our favorite WRX hidden gems, and which AWD model years to avoid.Inspired by the Subaru Impreza
Since it hit the market in 1992, the
Subaru Impreza
has undergone countless changes throughout the years, including an optional hatchback. But you don’t need to be a rally car enthusiast to be a fan of the Impreza WRX. According to
HotCars
, “The WRX was an Impreza-based model up until 2014 when it became a standalone model for Subaru.” The 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon had a window sticker price of $24,495. “New for 2006 was a bump in displacement from 2.0 liters to 2.5, going from the EJ20 to the EJ25 family of engines,”
MotorTrend
notes. Its horsepower increased from 227 to 230 and the brakes were bigger and better. Only 1,000 of the 2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition models were manufactured. Tamer than its previous generation, drivers experienced improved grip and performance. The car was “draped in WRX Blue Pearl exterior paint combined with gold-painted, 18-inch, BBS alloy wheels wrapped in 245/40R18 summer performance tires,”
Top Speed
tells us. The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA is where it's at. Its price tag is 10 grand more than the standard STi and rightfully so. Its carbon-fiber roof completely transformed the car. According to MotorTrend, “Somehow that weight-saving, body-stiffening piece transformed the handling of the car from silly but fun to aggressive and sharp.”
500 units were available in the U.S. and only 75 in Canada. Though the auto only gained 5 horsepower, it achieved extra power from strong internal components. It was definitely the best WRX STI of the time.
While the 2020 Subaru WRX STI S209 performs best on a smooth racetrack, it still provides plenty of thrills for the everyday driver. The sports car is supported by 341 hp with 330 lb-ft of torque.
Valued at just under $65,000, only 209 WRXs were sold making the speeder a sought-after collector's item. Owners enjoy functional aero, sticky Dunlops, cooling vents, carbon-fiber bits, and a go-fast kit.
MORE: What Happened to the Infamous Subaru BRAT?
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The best of the best for the Subaru WRX
The 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX rode on the success wave of the 2004 model’s facelift. The sporty car featured classic styling and a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was added to the STI trim. STI owners also benefited from about 300 hp, while base model drivers received only 230 hp.
And here’s where the WRX started to receive mechanical complaints pertaining to its clutch and transmission. According to HotCars, “Getting your hands on any model from 2004 to 2007 will be a delight.”
The 2020 Subaru WRX STI Series. White is the cream of the crop. The fun ride has a more classic feel than the other limited-edition STIs and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s come standard.
With striking bronze wheels and Bilstein dampers, the car exudes confidence on the road.
Jonny Lieberman
, a writer at MotorTrend
, felt “secure, assured, and borderline fearless behind the wheel of [an] STI. Nothing could flap it.”If you see these Subaru WRXs, look the other way
The 2008 Subaru WRX isn’t much for looks and its styling was significantly muted. According to
Vehicle History
, “The older cars stood out from their base Impreza counterparts, being very aggressive and also standing out considerably compared to the rest of the Subaru model range.” The 2008 model was dumbed down in more ways than one.In an attempt to appeal to the modern consumer, the rally car added more space in the cabin and quite a bit of sound deadening. While these changes made the WRX a better ride, is the WRX really living up to its full potential? Overall, it’s still a good car, but its modifications stripped it of its raw edge which made it famous in the first place.
The 2002 and 2003 models are also known to have subpar transmissions. However, the 2015 Subaru WRX had the worst transmission problems by far. Drivers also experienced issues with the clutch.
According to
Torque News
, “This was the first year of the redesign and WRX received an upgrade from the 5-speed manual to the 6-speed gearbox.” Unfortunately, the clutch issues carried on into the 2016 and 2018 model years. Transmission problems for the WRX seemed to appear after the 8,000-mile mark.Are you overpaying for car insurance?
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