2020 Subaru WRX RS review | Car Reviews
Auto123 opinions the 2020 Subaru WRX RS.
There are some cars and trucks that make their mark on the collective imagination via their visual appearance, their seem or even their motorsports fame. The Subaru WRX is one of those legendary cars and trucks that attract youthful and at the time-youthful feeling-looking for motorists in like moths to a flame, thanks in element to its small business card that reads, unofficially, “road-legal rally car”.
Now, this version we tested is a straight WRX version, considerably less lunatic in its capacities than the design selection-topping WRX STI, but however, for day-to-day use, the Subaru WRX geared up with the RS bundle is a wonderful way to get around in on a curving highway or side road or winding up a mountainside, in any time to boot.
Released in 2014 (as a 2015 design), the existing technology of the WRX is starting up to demonstrate very clear signals of aging in comparison to its category rivals, but in spite of its gentle technical anachronisms, the Subaru brand’s resident sporting activities sedan however has a couple of methods up its sleeve. Most notable is a shorter six-speed manual transmission, a part that is likely quickly to be consigned to the dustbin of automotive background.
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Obtaining driving the wheel of the 2020 WRX Sport-tech RS was the event for me to reacquaint myself with just what the next sportiest car in the Subaru lineup is capable of.
Is the RS bundle worthy of it?
Thankfully, the RS bundle, which doesn’t bring with it any exterior signage to market its existence, is not a cosmetic makeup occupation – though it does include stitching to the upholstery and a crimson tint to the brake calipers. In point, these brakes occur specifically from the Brembo catalogue, with calipers that profit from two further pistons up front and one further piston in the rear. As a outcome the WRX RS brakes with much more chunk, which you’ll agree is very welcome on a sporting activities sedan. Equipped with these brakes, the WRX is much more likely to resist abuse in shut-circuit driving.
Valued at $2,900, the RS bundle also will come with sport bucket seats courtesy Recaro, and very frankly, they on your own make it worthy of the further price. They’ll hug you but they’re not so aggressive that they interfere with comfort and ease in day-to-day driving or even a lengthy road excursion.
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2020 Subaru WRX, inside
The WRX: an old car?
Nevertheless I wouldn’t say the sedan’s silhouette is out-of-date, it can almost certainly do with a light-weight refresh. Speaking of which, the 2017 VIZIV Performance Prototype confirmed what we can fairly expect from the following technology of the WRX and although the automaker’s m.o. is to create generation versions very a little bit much more sedate than the original principles, that 2017 prototype is bring about for exhilaration.
For now, though, lovers of the design will have to make do with the widened wheel arches, 18-inch wheels, commonly Subaru bumper, rear conclude featuring four exhaust pipes and a small spoiler on the suggestion of the trunk that mark it as a WRX, effectiveness sedan that by the way has been element of the automotive landscape in Canada because 2002.
Inside
The cabin is also showing unmistakable signals of aging. Look at this inside to those of the brand’s other compact styles (Impreza, Crosstrek and Forester) and the WRX isn’t going to surface too “old”, but it looks much more faded when you stack it up from tech-minded rivals in the category like the Honda Civic Sort R or the Hyundai Veloster N then the WRX quickly looks considerably less striking.
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2020 Subaru WRX , steering wheel, multimedia process
This very low-critical strategy has its upside, head you. The dashboard is pretty practical and you do not get too dropped in it on a day-to-day foundation. Even the infotainment process is fairly uncomplicated to deal with.
The further-huge steering wheel might not please every person, and neither could the equipment-shift knob, for the exact same rationale. I have to acknowledge that gearshift lever took me a couple of minutes to acclimatize to. It however lacks precision in comparison to other manual transmissions on the marketplace and the clutch is major. However, this “regular” alternative adds a great deal of character to the WRX, particularly considering that the other option is a constantly variable transmission.
At the wheel
All those so-named age-associated flaws of the sport sedan I pointed out? They do not make any difference when you sit driving the wheel. As it takes place I experienced driven a WRX STI past wintertime, and I can affirm the ideal torque delivered decrease in the selection (in the WRX) appears earlier in acceleration, as the STI badged WRX providing its torque bigger up the curve of its motor RPM. Over-all, it is much more progressive in the WRX, but a little considerably less explosive at high RPM…
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Not surprisingly, the WRX’s electricity steering is very major, though it’s not as related to the road as the WRX STI’s, which however works by using hydraulic electricity steering. In this regard, I favor the character of the STI will much more punctually convey to the reality about what is going on to the human being driving the wheel. Nonetheless, the WRX is definitely much more exhilarating to drive than an Impreza, and it is not just since of the 268-hp, four-cylinder flat-bed motor.
Inspite of its age, the chassis is pretty rigid, as is the suspension, which is calibrated for ideal dealing with. Those people who hope to be pampered aboard the WRX in the springtime when our Canadian roadways are infamously cratered will have to appear somewhere else, say at a Volkswagen, the Golfing R in certain which is a great deal much more person-pleasant a pocket rocket. On the other hand, the Subaru WRX geared up with the RS bundle is definitely one of the much more appealing, if much more-regular options in the segment.
The past term
This most recent experience with the Subaru WRX confirms to me you can find however hope for those who favor a sporty and enjoyable driving practical experience year-round (don’t forget, Subaru equals AWD). The WRX might be old, its comfort and ease is very little like that of a Legacy and its gas use – particularly if your suitable foot is major – is bigger than an equal ‘regular’ compact car. The existing COVID-19 disaster that has observed gasoline costs melt away will only enable that a little, and only temporarily.
In the conclude, the Subaru WRX has dropped none of its original essence, and which is just as very well. Prolonged reside this components, and over all, lengthy reside the manual option!
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2020 Subaru WRX, a few-quarters rear
We like
The efficiency of the AWD process
The availability of a six-speed manual transmission
Spectacular dealing with
We like considerably less
The stiff suspension
The major clutch
The car is aging
The opposition
Honda Civic Si / Civic Sort R
Hyundai Veloster N
MINI Cooper Clubman S/JCW
Volkswagen Golfing GTI / Golfing R
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Experts

Individuals