Getting behind the wheel of this 2019 Subaru WRX is like reuniting with buddy. This era of the WRX, in spite of everything, launched in 2014 and has had solely delicate modifications since. For the 2018 mannequin 12 months, Subaru restyled the automotive’s fascias, tweaked the suspension and fettled with its clutch and gearbox. For 2019, the one actual modifications are an upgraded infotainment system and the launch of the Series.Gray special-edition bundle seen on this take a look at automotive.Just like an previous buddy, the WRX has each its charms and its annoyances. Still a screamer on a backroad that’ll ship massive driving enjoyable, it additionally nonetheless feels a smidge behind the instances by way of issues like refinement, gasoline effectivity and expertise in comparison with its competitors. That is not a purpose to keep away from the Subaru WRX, however slightly a byproduct of its take-no-prisoners angle to sportiness. And maybe, above all, that is a part of the WRX’s appeal.High-performance enjoyableSeries.Gray is the most recent in a protracted line of special-edition packages from Subaru that focus extra on aesthetics than precise efficiency. For $3,100, you get Cool Gray Khaki paint, which seems blue slightly than grey; black, 18-inch wheels; blacked-out badges and mirrors; plus the addition of push-button begin and LED fog lights. It’s a reasonably sharp look, and on condition that Subaru will solely promote 750 WRXs so outfitted, followers will certainly admire the bundle’s restricted nature.
The bundle doesn’t, nonetheless, deliver any main mechanical tweaks. It’s primarily based on the WRX’s present Performance bundle, which means the automotive does with out a sunroof, to avoid wasting a bit weight, and provides upgraded Jurid brake pads behind the 18-inch wheels and Recaro bucket seats contained in the cabin.
Not that tweaks are wanted to the WRX’s efficiency. With its turbocharged, 2.0-liter, flat-four engine serving up 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, it furiously pulls by way of its gears. The notchy, mechanical really feel of the six-speed handbook and the aggressive clutch permit for swift work dispatching all that energy. And, as is the WRX’s calling card, normal all-wheel drive means you may unleash the engine at any time.Despite numerous lag and a few low-end surging, the WRX’s turbo engine has loads of punch.
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That mentioned, there is a massive distinction within the engine’s on- and off-boast efficiency. Catch the engine unawares at low revs and it’d stumble and hesitate for a bit. Then as soon as the revs swing up and turbo kicks in, it does so with a giant slingshot-like impact by way of the engine’s midrange. With peak horsepower arriving at 5,600 rpm and dropping off precipitously after, short-shifting the WRX beneath its 6,700-rpm redline is not any massive deal.Quick steering with numerous driver suggestions makes cornering thrilling, too. The WRX’s suspension is stiff and firmly damped, so the automotive digs in eagerly when the highway will get twisty. It’s fairly arduous to upset the chassis, which retains its poise irrespective of how tough the highway or aggressive your inputs. And the non-obligatory Recaro seats do an affordable job of holding me in place, with out being too cumbersome to get out and in of. It all makes for a automotive that feels at its greatest when pushed arduous and thrashed by way of the gears.The downsidesAs to residing with it on a regular basis? Well, the Subaru WRX lacks the polish of some its greatest opponents. The suspension jars and bounces over the highway, the engine drones at freeway speeds and the cabin is total fairly loud — flip that radio up larger than you anticipate.Black badges and this paint coloration assist distinguish the Series.Gray fashions.
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City driving is the WRX’s weakest level for 2 causes. First, the on-off nature of the turbo engine makes for less-than-smooth progress and might generally go away you wanting for energy in case you’re not immediate in your downshifts. Moreover, even after the tweaks for the 2018 mannequin 12 months, the clutch take-up is grabby and the shifter comparatively high-effort. Of course, we do permit for efficiency automobiles to be a bit trickier to drive than on a regular basis commuting machines, however the WRX is a bit rougher across the edges than, say, a Volkswagen Golf R, to say nothing of FWD rivals just like the Ford Focus ST and VW GTI.
Its gasoline economic system is missing, too, contemplating its energy outputs. Rated for 21 miles per gallon metropolis and 27 mpg freeway, the WRX is a bit thirstier than the equally highly effective and in addition AWD-equipped VW Golf R (21/29 mpg with a handbook transmission). Unsurprisingly, it additionally drinks way over FWD opponents. Again, for fanatic drivers, this won’t be a make-or-break knowledge level within the determination to purchase the Subie.Despite the fuel-economy penalty, it is value remembering AWD is a giant promoting level for the WRX. Stick some acceptable rubber on the Subaru and you’ll hold having fun with the automotive’s efficiency all winter lengthy. It’s no marvel the WRX is so common within the Snowbelt. (My personal web search historical past typically options “subaru wrx used” round this time of 12 months.)The WRX nonetheless has the inside design from the last-generation Impreza, not the most recent mannequin.
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Functional, slightly than beautiful, insideThe within the Subaru WRX instantly reminds that there was a schism between the common Impreza and the WRX; the place the previous is now on a brand new platform with a vastly improved cabin design, the WRX continues to be primarily based on the previous Impreza. That implies that, regardless of numerous shiny carbon-fiber bits, pink accent trim and the aforementioned Recaros, the inside does function quite a lot of arduous and coarsely grained plastics.
Visibility is excellent in each path, with a low belt line, skinny pillars and massive window glass nearly negating the necessity for blind-spot monitoring. The instrument cluster is no-nonsense, with massive analog speedometer and tachometer dials, plus a digital velocity readout. There’s a small configurable journey laptop within the cluster, in addition to a bigger, extra detailed show atop the sprint that may present every part from turbo increase to gasoline economic system.A comparatively massive automotive for its class (it is over a foot longer than a Volkswagen Golf R, as an example), the WRX provides plentiful backseat head- and legroom. A generously sized trunk swallows 12 cubic ft of baggage, which is sweet, although lower than the trunk of a Honda Civic Si sedan.The infotainment system has shiny and clear menus, with assist for each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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The normal 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system works properly sufficient, although it has comparatively gradual responses to inputs on the show. Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is built-in, as is SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, a CD participant and even integration for Aha and Pandora web radio. Higher trim ranges of the WRX will be outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation.Active-safety options are sadly briefly provide. Only fashions with the WRX’s non-obligatory repeatedly variable transmission will be outfitted with EyeSight, Subaru’s bundle that gives precollision braking, adaptive cruise and lane-keeping help features. And blind-spot monitoring is obtainable solely as an choice on the dear Limited trim degree. That implies that my Series.Gray tester has solely the federally required back-up digicam and no different security tech.How I would spec itMy 2019 Subaru WRX could be the Performance mannequin, primarily as a result of I just like the Recaro seats and — do not decide — the red-painted brake calipers. Doing with out a sunroof is a little bit of a disgrace, however I am going to inform myself that I can discover the decreased curb weight and decrease heart of gravity on the highway. That would set me again $32,430, or rather less than my take a look at automotive’s sticker of $33,480. Pricing for the 2019 automotive stays fairly inexpensive total, working from $28,080 (with vacation spot) for the bottom manual-transmission mannequin to $34,580 for the CVT-equipped WRX Limited.No matter the configuration, the Subaru WRX is an absolute riot that’ll have you ever looking for excuses to go for a drive. While it is not probably the most polished or grown-up automotive in its class or worth vary, its rawness, velocity and rally-car heritage proceed to make the WRX a beloved and cherished selection for anybody who likes inexpensive efficiency automobiles.
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