2020 Subaru WRX

There are also numerous dealer-installed options, including a performance exhaust and a short-throw shifter kit- Autotrader

Subaru bore 3 offerings for the WRX family, the entry-level WRX, Premium, and Limited. The pricing for the WRX starts as low as $27,495 and it climbs up to the $40,000 mark, excluding the $925 destination charge. Climbing up the trim ladder you get upgrades in the standard feature list and an option for CVT transmission but the AWD system is standard throughout the range. 

The $2,850 Performance Package for the Premium trim adds Brembo brakes and Recaro front sport seats but you have to sacrifice the power moonroof. There's another package that includes a 9-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, navigation system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. This package is exclusive to the Limited trim and costs $2,100. 

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We would recommend you to go with the Limited trim with CVT as it adds a lot of comfort and convenience features for its price. Those who love to shift their own gears can go for the manual version. Also, opt for the Navigation System package as it adds two more driver-assist features. 

The 2020 Subaru WRX can be frugal, but only if you stay out of boost- The Car Connection

Fuel-conscious people will definitely keep away the Subaru WRX from their thoughts as it has a poor fuel economy. The EPA-estimated ratings are 21 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on a highway, and 23 MPG combined. These are the lowest ratings for a compact sports sedan. With a CVT transmission, the ratings are surprisingly less. 

You just get 3 MPG less in the city and highway ratings. Another thing is that only premium fuel is required which means you have to pay more. Thankfully, Subaru provides a large 15.9-gallon fuel tank for a decent range. It comes out to be 366 miles when the tank is at its full capacity. But a large tank means more fuel costs. 

The Honda Civic Si is the most fuel-efficient sedan in this competition as it makes the least power. The fuel estimates of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class are closely similar to the Civic Si. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe's fuel economy is also good for the power it makes. The WRX might be the sportiest compact sedan in the lot but it's not the most efficient one.

The driver's seat offers more adjustment, and therefore room, than expected of a compact car- Edmunds

The Subaru WRX's interior is more functional than being sophisticated. You won’t find the hyper-styled elements like on the German rivals but once you get the taste of Subaru, you won’t be needing them. All seats are skinned with cloth except for the Limited trim that comes with leather seats with contrast stitching. A 10-way power driver's seat with heated functionality is only reserved for the Limited trim. 

The seats are well-padded and boast great support. The WRX is the kind of car you can drive all day and in the off-time get a nice nap without interruption. The cabin is roomy and can easily accommodate 5 people. The high roofline gives a decent headroom space in both rows. There is enough legroom for comfortably seating two 6 footers back to back. The visibility is reasonable, you get a good view of the road. 

You get a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system. Upper trims feature a 7-inch touchscreen paired with a 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Both screens include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment. The interface is user-friendly with zero confusing features, though it feels dated. The physical controls can be reached easily from the driver's seat.  

This is one of the main areas where the WRX lacks. You get just 12 cu-ft., which is kind of disappointing. The subpar cargo space may break your ambitions to turn WRX into a family sedan. The cabin utility is average too. You have a small glove box and an armrest in the name of cabin utility. Side pockets and center stack bins sum up the utility angle of the WRX. Some other interior features are:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function steering wheel
• 10-way power driver' seat
• Heated front seats
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Push-button start
• Proximity keyless entry
• Power moonroof
• 6.5 & 7-inch touchscreen display w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Navigation system

The standard WRX sedan does without a big rear wing- Carbuzz

The Subaru WRX is not the type of car that turns heads by its looks, its handling does that. Its looks are more sophisticated to balance out the flamboyant handling prowess. The exterior styling of the WRX looks like an everyday sedan and a reformed version of the Impreza. It can be instantly recognized on the road by its huge hood scoop. LED headlamps with LED fog lamps are only standard on the Limited trim. 

From the side view, you would notice the toned character-defining lines. It sits on 17-inch alloy wheels but 18-inch alloys are available on higher trims while its 104.3-inch wheelbase is well-suited for tracks. The 4.9-inch ground clearance is adequate for its rally racing demeanor. The rear design of the WRX is kept simple. The design rounds off by quad exhaust tips on the lower fascia. 

The Honda Civic Si has the highest ground clearance for a compact sedan. This simply doesn't imply that it's an off-roader. Despite being the bulkiest, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the fastest compact sedan in its segment. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sports the shortest wheelbase in this competition. This helps it to burn out quickly during drag races. Some cool exterior highlights are:

• LED auto high-beam headlamps
• Halogen DRLs
• LED fog lamps
• Exterior entry lights
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Black grille
• Ground effects
• Quad exhaust tips
• 17 & 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear lip spoiler

Only the CVT-equipped WRX Limited has Subaru's EyeSight system that includes driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

The Subaru WRX was well-received by both the safety organizations. It received a five out of five overall safety ratings from NHTSA. Moreover, it was also awarded the Top Safety Pick designation for its excellent crashworthiness. It also received a 'Superior' rating for the front crash prevention and a 'Good' rating for its headlights. 

There's no doubt that the WRX is a safe vehicle but it does not offer enough standard active safety features for its price. There are many available driver aids categorized under different packages some of which are taken from Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety technologies. The sedan also comes with seven airbags. Some safety features are:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitor
• Pre-collision braking
• Reverse automatic emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning

2020 Subaru WRX vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Athletic yet elegant, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the plushest sedan in the sports compact car segment. Though its power is not that intriguing it’s the uber interior that is the major attraction. Compared to the WRX, the CLA-Class is clearly overpriced but nimble handling, better efficiency, the upmarket interior makes up for the money. The WRX is more athletic and standard AWD gives its legendary rally racing character. If money is not an issue you should not deprive yourself of the amenities of German engineering, otherwise going with the WRX is not bad either.

2020 Subaru WRX vs 2020 Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic Si is the most modest compact sports sedan in terms of price but not in terms of deliverables. In terms of features and power, the Civic stands right into the industry expectations. Compared to the fellow Japanese, the Civic runs low on power and may not be as athletic as the WRX, but its efficiency is bulletproof and roomier inside. The WRX can corner like hell, and accelerate madly but the Civic focuses more on the ease of handling which makes it an ideal family sedan. If you don’t have any intentions of going rally racing or speed like a drag racer then the Civic is your choice.

2020 Subaru WRX vs 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has the highest initial price in this competition. It may be less power full than the WRX but it is agile. Moreover, it has the same athletic handling as the WRX. Its interiors are made of high-quality materials while the cargo space is the best in this segment. The WRX is a better bargain as it offers standard smartphone integration at a lesser price. Known for its driver-assist features, the Beemer offers an array of standard safety features. Therefore, if you want some sportiness with some safety and luxury, the 2 Series Gran Coupe should be your choice. 

The Subaru WRX is not the type of car your girlfriend approves on first look but the moment you step in and go all Baby Driver, things will fall into the right places. The boxer-4 engine does not offer the best agility but manages to handle the WRX's aggression. In the leu of the economy, the WRX turns out poor which may be a red signal for many. On the other hand, practicality is not the best virtue due to limited cargo volume. As a wholehearted package, Subaru has done a good job with the WRX. You get ample power with a compact, roomy cabin. The competitors may exceed in a few areas but as a package deal, they cannot beat the WRX.