Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

136 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

I

n 1994, Subaru came from
the clouds with a compact,
all-wheel-drive, turbocharged
sedan, boasting (for its time)
explosive acceleration (0–100km/
h in 6.5 seconds) and brilliant,
almost idiot-proof dynamics.
At the time, roadtesters
everywhere said the Impreza WRX
was the performance bargain of a
lifetime. Yet the fourth-generation
WRX, now minus the Impreza
moniker, costs $39,690. That’s
$400 less than the original model.
For the base $39,690 six-
speed manual sedan, the CVT
transmission is a $3000 option. For
an extra $6400-$6600, Premium
variants add a sunroof; leather;
power adjustable, heated driver’s
seat; push-button start; navigation
and Harman Kardon audio.
WRX STi, with a 221kW/407Nm
2.5-litre turbopetrol/six-speed
manual, costs $51,640, or

$56,390 for the Premium. STi

Spec R is $58,140.

The base WRX runs a

197kW/350Nm, 2.0-litre direct-

injection turbo four, horizontally

opposed in the Subaru manner.

Outputs are up marginally on

the 2.5-litre unit it replaced in

late 2013, but thanks in part to an

extra 179kg of kerb weight, the

current WRX is seven-tenths of a

second slower from 0–100

km/h (6.0 seconds vs 5.3 seconds

for its predecessor).

The 2018 update included more

fade resistant brake pads and a

suspension recalibration, with

stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll

bars and fi rmer bushings.

There was also a sharper front

end for 2018, swivelling LED

headlights and LED foglights,

rain sensing wipers, plus a 5.9-

inch information display screen.

Automatic WRX variants are also

fi tted with Subaru’s twin camera-

based Eytesight safety system,

with adaptive cruise control and

automatic emergency braking.

WRX Premium adds Vision Assist,

with blind spot monitoring, a front

passenger side camera and rear

cross traffi c alert.

On the road, feel from the

quick, electrically assisted

steering is great, but there’s also

some rack shake and kickback in

rough corners.

The stiff chassis delivers

composure and control in

cornering, while the WRX’s

signature rush of turbo power

is there in abundance.

It’s an old school power

delivery, but Rex buyers love the

drama such a torquey burst of

acceleration brings.

The AWD system, with active

torque vectoring, provides sure-

footed drive out of tight corners

and the standard 245/40 18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT rubber

grips hard. A fi rm ride comes

with the WRX territory but the

dynamic-response versus ride-

comfort balance in this car is

impressive, and it’s much more

comfortable than the STi.

The WRX has always been a fi ne

handler up to about seven tenths,

at which point, when presented

with a series of tight corners, it

lurched into excessive body roll

and deep, severe understeer.

The latter is still apparent in the

current model but it occurs at

eight-tenths now.

The brakes hold up better under

hard use, but the STi’s Brembo

brake package, with six piston

calipers up front, should be fi tted

to the base WRX as well.

Despite its imperfections and

age, the Rex remains brilliant

value for money.

It’s about $6000 cheaper

than VW’s 180kW 2.0-litre turbo

Golf GTi and more than $15,000

cheaper than the Golf R, which

produces 213kW. So when it

comes to bang for your bucks,

Rex’s closest rival is Hyundai’s

excellent i30 N, priced at $40,490.

By James Cleary

SUBARU WRX FROM $39,690 S

THINGS WE LIKE

 Tight, solid body

 Great value for money

 An easy and forgiving car to drive

quickly

 Strong resale values

 That wonderful Rex turbo rush

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Clunky manual transmission shift

Pronounced turbo lag

Brakes still fade under pressure

Uncoordinated dash and control

layout

SPEX (WRX)

Made in Japan

2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-

cylinder turbopetrol/six-speed

manual/all-wheel drive

197kW of power at 5600rpm/350Nm

of torque at 2400–5200rpm

0–100km/h in 6.0 seconds (claimed)

7.2L/100km highway; 12.7L/100km

city: 95 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 213g/km

Warranty: Five years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Seven airbags, stability

control, Eyesight (in CVT equipped

models only), rear camera, hill

start assist, Bluetooth, USB, dual

zone automatic air, 18-inch alloy

wheels, Data Dot identifi cation,

Redbook future values: 3yr: 57%;

5yr: 43%

compare with ...

Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N,

Renault Megane RS, VW Golf GTi

Safety

ANCAP

Green Vehicle Guide

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money



Overall



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