2020 Subaru WRX STI Series.White
2020 Subaru WRX Review
- Spacious cabin with excellent outward visibility
- Entertaining handling and steering response on twisty roads
- Full-time all-wheel drive enhances traction and performance
- Offers several premium safety options
- Lurchy full-throttle shifts
- Excessive wind and road noise
- Interior quality lags that of competitors
- STI's high-performance suspension makes for a rough ride
- Redesigned front bumper for the WRX STI
- Keyless access and push-button start now standard on the WRX STI
- The WRX adds welcome lighting
- Part of the third WRX generation introduced for 2015
The Subaru WRX may have its roots in the speedy world of rally racing, where roads can change from dirt to gravel to asphalt in a single run, but today's WRX is also a fast and legitimate family car with a roomy interior, good visibility and comfortable seats.
Vestiges of the 2020 Subaru WRX's rally roots are found in the standard all-wheel-drive system and its small but powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While these tools help rally racers handle different road surfaces and speed away from corners, their real-life application will prove useful for drivers in wet climates or threading city traffic.
Drivers will find the standard 268-horsepower WRX comfortable and commuter-friendly — it's even available with a continuously variable automatic transmission and a suite of advanced driver safety aids — while the 310-hp WRX STI is for purists only. You can still drive it on the street every day, but its stiff suspension and lack of an automatic transmission limit its appeal.
For 2020, the WRX adds a few small, fresh details. The STI trim gets a subtle, new front-end look and now comes standard with keyless entry and push-button start. The standard WRX, meanwhile, adds welcome lighting to its feature set. It's worth noting that an all-new next-generation WRX is expected for the 2021 model year.
While the WRX models aren't as quiet or refined as their competitors, you won't find sport sedans with more power and all-wheel drive for less money. But there are some competitors worth considering. The Honda Civic Si and Type R, as well as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, offer superior fuel economy and quieter, nicer interiors. The recently redesigned Hyundai Veloster is worth a look. Or if you want to go a slightly different direction, the Dodge Charger is a roomy sedan with robust V6 or V8 engine power.
Which WRX does Edmunds recommend?
Subaru WRX models
The 2020 Subaru WRX is a five-passenger sedan offered in five standard trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, STI and STI Limited.
2020 Subaru WRX STI Series.White pricing
in Ashburn, VA
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Subaru WRX.
Trending topics in reviews
- road noise
- climate control
- electrical system
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- transmission
Most helpful consumer reviews
2020 Subaru WRX video
2019 Subaru WRX STI First Look | NY Auto Show
NOTE: This video is about the 2019 Subaru WRX, but since the 2020 Subaru WRX is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite WRX safety features:
- EyeSight Assist Monitor
- Projects alerts and warnings (about pedestrians, potential collisions) into a head-up display on the windshield.
- Reverse Automatic Braking System
- Automatically applies the brakes if the driver fails to respond to alerts and obstacles while backing up.
- EyeSight Lane Keep Assist
- Recognizes lane markings on both sides of the car and will guide you back to the middle if you drift too far from the center.
Subaru WRX vs. the competition
2020 Subaru WRX
2020 Subaru BRZ
Subaru WRX vs. Subaru BRZ
The BRZ is smaller and less expensive, but beyond that, its two-door, rear-wheel-drive layout presents an entirely different driving experience than the turbocharged and all-wheel-drive WRX. Think of the WRX as a fast, family-friendly sedan and the BRZ as an entry-level sports car. Alas, "sports car" only applies to the BRZ's handling since its less powerful engine means it's slower than the WRX.
Subaru WRX vs. Honda Civic
The Civic Si is enjoyable to drive, but its greatest attribute compared to the Subaru WRX is value. The Honda costs less, and though it has no options, it comes with more standard features. While the Civic Si is not available with an automatic transmission, it's rated by the EPA at 29 mpg combined versus the stick-shift WRX's 23 mpg combined.
Subaru WRX vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI
The GTI doesn't pack quite as much power as the WRX, but it's a similarly fun and engaging "driver's car" that can also be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission. The GTI rides with a bit more civility than the Subaru, and its interior is miles ahead in quality, style and refinement. But the Golf is front-wheel-drive and only comes in a hatchback body style, giving the WRX a handling edge in dry or wet conditions and, depending on your preference, more or less utility.
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FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX a good car?
What's new in the 2020 Subaru WRX?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Subaru WRX:
- Redesigned front bumper for the WRX STI
- Keyless access and push-button start now standard on the WRX STI
- The WRX adds welcome lighting
- Part of the third WRX generation introduced for 2015
Is the Subaru WRX reliable?
Is the 2020 Subaru WRX a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 Subaru WRX?
The least-expensive 2020 Subaru WRX is the 2020 Subaru WRX STI Series.White 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $42,695.
Other versions include:
- STI Series.White 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $42,695