What the WRX is now
With hot hatches migrating upmarket and rally homologation a memory, the WRX occupies a lane it practically owns: a 271-hp turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports sedan with a standard six-speed manual, from $33,690 to $47,190 including destination across Base, Premium, Limited, GT, tS and the limited Series.Yellow.
The 2.4-liter turbo flat-four makes its 271 hp and 259 lb-ft with the characteristic offbeat thrum, and — praise be — EyeSight driver assistance is now available on manual cars, removing the old safety-versus-stick dilemma.
The trim truths
The sleeper of the range is the tS at $44,995: STI-tuned adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats and 19-inch wheels — the closest thing to a factory STI this generation offers, because a full STI variant does not exist for the VB WRX and Subaru has given no indication one is coming. The Series.Yellow special adds visual drama in limited numbers.
The one to think hard about is the GT, which mandates the CVT-based "Subaru Performance Transmission." It's a competent automatic and quick-shifting in its simulated way, but enthusiasts consistently find it drains the car's character — and the WRX's whole reason for being is character.
The honest assessment
The WRX's grip on cold, wet, broken pavement remains its party trick; on a February back road nothing at the price is faster point to point. The costs are equally honest: about 19/26 mpg is thirsty for a four-cylinder, road noise is constant, the ride is firm, and the plastic-clad styling remains an argument at every cars-and-coffee.
Reliability is average with no widespread FA24 engine issues to date; historically, drivetrain wear tracks how hard the car is driven — which, for WRXs, is a self-selecting problem. On used examples, walk away from anything with launch-abuse tells.
The questions buyers actually ask
WRX or Elantra N / Civic Si? The front-drivers are sharper on dry pavement and cheaper to run; the WRX answers with AWD traction and four-season usability. Where it snows, this isn't close.
Is the tS worth $45k? If you'll use the chassis, yes — the dampers and brakes transform composure. If you won't, a Premium manual delivers 90% of the joy for $10k less.
Will there be an STI? Not in this generation's cards as it stands. The tS is the ceiling; buy accordingly rather than waiting.
- $33,690–$47,190; 271-hp 2.4 turbo, standard 6-speed manual, standard AWD
- tS ($44,995) with STI-tuned dampers, Brembos and Recaros is the enthusiast pick
- GT's CVT-based auto is competent but drains the character — test before buying
- Thirsty (~22 mpg combined), noisy, firm — the price of the mission
- No STI variant exists this generation; EyeSight now available with the manual
Key takeaways
- $33,690–$47,190; 271-hp 2.4 turbo, standard 6-speed manual, standard AWD
- tS ($44,995) with STI-tuned dampers, Brembos and Recaros is the enthusiast pick
- GT's CVT-based auto is competent but drains the character — test before buying
- Thirsty (~22 mpg combined), noisy, firm — the price of the mission
- No STI variant exists this generation; EyeSight now available with the manual
Sources & further reading
- Subaru of America 2026 pricing and trim data
- EPA estimates
- US performance-car comparison coverage, 2026
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
