2018 Subaru WRX review
Subaru WRX highlights
Customer 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)
16 city, 22 highway, 18 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The AWD 2018 Subaru WRX is a roomy and fun compact sedan
The 2018 Subaru WRX is a roomy and fun AWD sedan. It combines excellent passenger space, all-year-round usability, and sharp handling in a unique package. For peak performance, there's the more aggressive 2018 WRX STI, which adds power and performance at the cost of some civility around town. For 2018, the WRX received a refresh that included updates to its looks, handling, and sound insulation, along with a revised front crash structure and minor tweaks to driver aids for models equipped with an automatic transmission.
Even with the suspension and sound-deadening updates, the WRX remains a bit more noisy, and the ride a bit less comfortable, than competitors. The WRX’s technology options were acceptable for 2018, but Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ were not available. Competitors like the 2018 Honda Civic Si and 2018 Volkswagen GTI offer a bit more refinement or a few additional features but aren’t as roomy and lack all-wheel drive.
All Subaru WRX years
What is new for the 2018 Subaru WRX?
- The WRX is available in a new trim called the STI Type RA.
- WRX trims have been upgraded with Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment this year.
- Memory Seat(s), Kicker Speaker System, and 8508 features are now available as options on select trims.
- The STI Limited trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.
- The Limited trim now comes with Smart Key and Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
2018 Subaru WRX trims
Base:
- 268-hp, 258-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Mirrors
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- View our Subaru WRX inventory
Premium:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- Front Seat Heaters
- Sunroofs
- Automatic Transmission
- View our Subaru WRX Premium inventory
Limited:
- Includes all features available on the Premium
- Smart Key
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Leather Seats
- Power Seats
- View our Subaru WRX Limited inventory
STI:
- Includes all features available on the Limited
- 305-hp, 290-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Rear Spoiler
- View our Subaru WRX STI inventory
STI Limited:
- Includes all features available on the STI
- Lane Departure Warning
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Navigation System
- View our Subaru WRX STI Limited inventory
STI Type RA:
- Includes all features available on the STI Limited
- 310-hp, 290-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
Subaru WRX photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Subaru WRX
What We Like
Fun: Since Subaru launched the WRX, it’s had a reputation for being an entertaining all-wheel-drive car. With up to 305 horsepower in the WRX STI, responsive steering and sharp handling, the WRX is a great companion on a twisty road.
Practical: The WRX offers excellent interior room, with space for child safety seats and even adults in the back row, and it’s easy to get in and out of. The trunk is a bit tight but can be expanded thanks to the folding split rear seat.
All-wheel drive: AWD isn’t uncommon on high-dollar, high-performance cars, but among affordable sporty options it’s much more rare. Subaru’s full-time AWD system comes standard on the WRX and helps with handling and acceleration as well as winter driving.
What Needs Improvement
Interior quality: While it feels roomy and open inside, the WRX’s cabin lags behind competitors in terms of noise and the quality of materials. The WRX is worth considering for its performance, but it makes some compromises when it comes to fit and finish.
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Ratings & reliability
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 WRXSubaru WRX features and specs
STI 4WD/AWD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Automated Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Kicker Speaker System
- Lane Departure Warning
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
305
Torque (ft-lbs)
290
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 39.8"/R 37.1"
Front tires
P245/35WR19
Rear tires
P245/35WR19
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Manual 6
2018 Subaru WRX FAQ
The 2018 Subaru WRX is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- STI: 16 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- Limited: 21 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- Premium: 21 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- Base: 21 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- STI Limited: 16 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- STI Type RA: 16 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
The Subaru WRX received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Subaru WRX as 38 out of 46 among Compact Car
The 2018 Subaru WRX has received an average 5.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Subaru WRX, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Subaru WRX Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Subaru WRX:
- STI Type RA
- Lane Departure Warning
- Memory Seat(s)
- Kicker Speaker System
- 8508
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