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2019 Subaru WRX review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Subaru WRX highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Spacious cabin with excellent visibility
  • Fun and engaging handling
  • Standard full-time all-wheel drive

Cons

  • Interior quality falls short of competitors
  • Rougher ride than competitors, especially with the STI
  • Lots of wind and road noise

Mileage (EPA estimate)

15 city, 21 highway, 17 combined

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All Subaru WRX years

Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Subaru WRX generation from 2015 to 2025

What is new for the 2019 Subaru WRX?

  • The WRX is available in a variety of new trims, including the Premium Series.Gray, STI S209, and STI Series.Gray.
  • The STI Type RA trim has been discontinued for 2019.
  • WRX trims have been upgraded with Leatherette & Cloth, Suede Seats, Automated Cruise Control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
  • Remote Start features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The STI trim now comes with Power Seat(s) as standard equipment.
  • The Premium trim now comes with Rear Spoiler and Power Seat(s) as standard equipment.
  • The Base trim now comes with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment.
  • The Limited trim now comes with Lane Departure Warning and Rear Spoiler as standard equipment.
  • The STI Limited trim now comes with Leather & Suede Seats and CD Audio as standard equipment.

2019 Subaru WRX trims

Curious how Subaru WRX trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Base:

  • 268-hp, 258-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • Cloth Seats
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • Side Airbags
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Rear View Camera
  • View our Subaru WRX inventory

Premium:

Limited:

STI:

STI Limited:

STI Series.Gray:

  • Includes all features available on the STI Limited
  • 2.5L

Premium Series.Gray:

  • Includes all features available on the STI Series.Gray
  • 2.0L

STI S209:

  • Includes all features available on the Premium Series.Gray
  • 341-hp, 330-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
  • Leatherette & Cloth

Subaru WRX photos

What We Like

Fun: Between its strong engine, responsive steering, and performance-oriented AWD system, the Subaru WRX can deliver a lot of fun on a twisty road. The STI offers even more performance, but at the cost of a stiffer ride.

Practical: Passenger space and nimble performance don’t often go together, but the WRX’s airy cabin has plenty of room in back for adults and child safety seats. The trunk is a bit small, but it can be expanded thanks to the folding split rear seats.

All-wheel drive: Standard full-time all-wheel drive sets the Subaru apart from other affordable performance vehicles. The WRX’s AWD system doesn’t just make this a winter-friendly car, it also helps with handling and acceleration year-round.

What Needs Improvement

Interior quality: While the WRX’s value is more about fun than refinement, it still lags behind some of its sporty competitors in terms of the materials used in the cabin, road and wind noise, and available features.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.6 out of 5

5 customer reviews

RepairPal reliability rating

3
1
2
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Subaru WRX an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru WRX 39th out of 46 among Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru WRX

Subaru WRX features and specs

Curious how Subaru WRX trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Limited 4WD/AWD 4D Sedan

Standard Features

  • 4WD/AWD
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Optional Features

  • Alloy Wheels
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Harman Kardon Sound
  • Kicker Speaker System
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Navigation System
  • Parking Sensors
  • Remote Start

Drive Wheels

All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

268

Torque (ft-lbs)

258

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

15.9

Wheelbase

104.3"

Overall length

180.9"

Width

70.7"

Height

58.1"

Leg room

F 43.3"/R 35.4"

Head room

F 37.2"/R 37.1"

Front tires

P245/40WR18

Rear tires

P245/40WR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2019 Subaru WRX FAQ

Subaru WRX articles

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