Subaru WRX (US) review

Prices range from the base model’s $32,735 to the GT’s $44,215 plus whatever the WRX tS ends up costing. The good news is the uniform powertrain configuration means you’re getting most of what the WRX offers across the board. With the boxer engine and all-wheel drive, the base WRX is manual only, with six-way manually adjustable seating, no option for the powered moon roof, no rear USB charging ports, and the entry-level versions of the equipment. It’s not a bad start, but other trims get a Harman Kardon audio system, better interior materials, push-button start and so on.

What you should be paying really boils down to preference. The Premium and Limited trims have the most options available, though as we pointed out, the sportier TR and GT trims have some key performance bits you might want, with the tS having a mix of both.

We’re particularly keen on this new one, as it has the best of what the GT offers with the manual gearbox, plus the new digital driver display. All the rest like badging and exclusive visual touches are just bonuses. We don’t know what that one starts at just yet, but we expect it to be within the TR and GT’s $41k-$44k wheelhouse, though.

Is it worth that? Hard to say, given it puts it against some heavy hitters like the well-rounded Volkswagen Golf GTI, the stellar Honda Civic Type R and the versatile Toyota GR Corolla. The WRX brings its own level of utility and performance, so choosing this over the others is going to be a personal taste thing rather than something determined by hard numbers. What a great pack of rivals to have, though.