2020 Subaru WRX STI
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?
The high-performance STI sure looks good on paper. But its high-strung engine, harsh suspension and manual-transmission-only configuration mean it's best left to hardcore enthusiasts. For everyone else, the WRX Premium is a better place to start. It comes with a larger touchscreen infotainment system and can be optioned with additional performance and safety features.
See the best deals on the WRXTop local listings sorted by best deal
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.
Save as much as $1,579 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.
2020 Subaru WRX STI pricing
in Ashburn, VA
STI
2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M
Edmunds Suggested Price$37,932
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Subaru WRX.
Trending topics in reviews
- spaciousness
- interior
- seats
- comfort
- appearance
- dashboard
- wheels & tires
- steering wheel
- handling & steering
- engine
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, 2020 STI v 2018 WRX
Krish Bellamkonda,
STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
@12 months- I traded the 20 STI for 21 BMW 330i. STI was a great car, but I wish I had kept the WRX since at my age (early 40s) I wanted a more settled ride and didn’t want to worry about taxing the clutch( STI is way less forgiving than WRX). With the used car prices the way it is, I got 3000 more than what I paid 1 year ago with 7800 miles. Decided to switch to 330i until next STI.
As the title says, I traded in a 2018 WRX base for a 2020 STI base. 2018 WRX was a great car, with excellent driving dynamics, awesome value and more than enough power for tooling around town. I was averaging 30 mpg consistently with spirited driving giving me around 25 mpg on premium gas. Life was good, but given the 2020 STI might be the last of the kind, I decided to test drive it and see if I wanted an upgrade. I had concerns over the ride quality, clutch engagement and general refinement which was a tad below WRX due to an older powertrain dating back to 2004. But I came back very impressed on how well it drove, how engaging it was compared to 2018 WRX. Since I believe cars should be left the way they came from the factory(no aftermarket engine tuning), I decided to move to a STI.
STI Strengths:- STIs drive very differently from the WRX. It is a much mature car at higher speeds and also the engine is free-r revving to redline. Although they look the same, the cars are entirely different from dynamics point of view. Also with the drivetrain's ability to switch between rear-bias to front-bias and drive modes(S,S#), the car handles like extremely well. The ride quality of 2020 is way improved over 2017 STI, but not as supple as WRX base trim(17 inch wheels).But suspension tuning and all the reviews about STI's ride harshness is exaggerated. If suspension is holding you back from STI, you should really test-drive the car. The car(STI) is much quieter with more quality materials than base WRX. Although with WRX and STI, quietness is not the forte of either. STIs offer very predictable handling and what I observe is that more you engage with the car, more you pay attention to the shift points and nuances of clutch engagement, it is way more rewarding than WRX. Also the WRX has very irritating lumpy power delivery where you get abrupt dropoffs when you rev hard. STI is way smoother and has much more linearity in the way power is delivered. Also, the clutch engagement point more sorted out than WRX although it is a tad harder. The shifter is much nicer with clear throws(with STI short shift kit). It is way shorter than WRX(with short shift kit). It feels more direct in terms of engagement and also, vibrations. With STI, my gas mileage is between 20-23 mpg. It has gone below 20 during the break-in period. So gas mileage is definitely not one of the strengths of this aging engine. But my goal was to become a better driver(more technical) and also take the vehicle to track in stock form at some point. STI is like 9/10s of a budget sports car which needs 9/10s of engagement from the driver to have fun, where WRX is like 6/10s of a budget sports car which needs 6/10s of engagement from the driver to have fun. Which brings us to WRX strengths.
WRX Strengths:- Whereas WRX is a much more chuckable, agile car with predictable body roll/handling, STI is more of a heavier feeling car(hydraulic power steering) with little/no body roll and more precise handling and built for more serious, precise driving. WRX is lot more fun than STI in "chuckability' factor and puts a smile no matter how you drive it. The ease of driving WRX is something I miss with the STI. STI is meant for more track duty and this is where it is a bit of a letdown "around town". So STI is more technical than WRX. So if you deeply engage with the vehicle it is fun, Whereas WRX is fun no matter whether you deeply engage or merely engage. So for a daily driver, I would pick WRX over STI to put you in a better mood no matter how your day has been. Also it is easier to drive, when it comes to overall effort. I have a Corolla Hybrid which I use for daily drive, so I don't miss WRX as much. In addition, gas mileage for WRX (30 avg, 25 worst) is amazing for a car a that's as much fun as it is. Also, the turbo spooling and whine is something which is more audible and fun with WRX. In STI, it is replaced by rumble. I personally liked WRX turbo whine better. Also, WRX has better overall drivetrain vibration management than STI. STI shifter(being direct, not cable) has a constant vibration which exaggerates over bad roads. It is not a big deal, but it does irritate you, depending on how engaged you are. In short, if you don't want to be engaged at 9/10s, then WRX is a vehicle for you. Because STI does not tolerate relaxed driving as much as the WRX
5/5 stars, 2020 Sti
Austin,
STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Deff worth it
4/5 stars, Nice car, good for all around street fun.
Ed,
STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Nice car, good for all around street fun. Put a nice set of highly rated summer tires & it performs decent on the track in stock form. Lacking in features as you cannot get all features separate. For ex: You can't get the high end sound without upgrading to the Limited trim. You also cannot get power seats with out upgrading to the Performance seating option or Limited trim. Seat adjustment & steering wheel adjustment is lacking as well! Interior lighting is also lacking & very weak. Seats 4 adults nicely & has decent trunk space for a vehicle with this pedigree. Fuel mileage is so-so if you don't stay in boost often. Turbo lag is noticed right away. This engine is the last of its kind as Subaru will do a complete update in about 2 years.
Helpful shopping links
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.
Subaru has finally brought one of its limited-edition, super-hot S cars to the U.S.: the 2019 WRX STI S209. Subaru says this is the fastest STI it has ever made. But with only 200 being produced, you may never get the chance to find out. Edmunds News Editor Will Kaufman gets up close with the super Subaru at the Detroit Auto Show.
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $36,995
- MPG & Fuel
- 16 City / 22 Hwy / 19 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Engine
- Flat 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 310 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 180.9 in. / Height: 58.1 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 70.7 in.
- Curb Weight: 3450 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 12.0 cu.ft.
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?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 WRX both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Subaru WRX fuel economy, so it's important to know that the WRX gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the WRX has 12.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Subaru WRX. Learn more
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?
To determine whether the Subaru WRX is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the WRX. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the WRX's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 Subaru WRX a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Subaru WRX is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 WRX is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Subaru WRX?
The least-expensive 2020 Subaru WRX is the 2020 Subaru WRX STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $36,995.
Other versions include:
- STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $36,995
What are the different models of Subaru WRX?
If you're interested in the Subaru WRX, the next question is, which WRX model is right for you? WRX variants include STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). For a full list of WRX models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more