AutoNSider Review | 2020 Subaru WRX Premium

Grrrr!!!

Yes…If Subaru’s feisty lil’ four-door could talk, I think it’d just say “Grrrr!”
While so many other sport sedans look like they’ve started skipping the gym and
going to the all-you-can-eat pizza bar, Subaru’s WRX is still “mission-focused” on
getting you down the road…almost any road…with just about all the verve that
the law allows!
Remember…Subie’s WRX is the car you’ll likely see late night on
FS1…careening around on snow-covered gravel roads all across Europe…and
winning as often as not.
So yes…the WRX is a special kind of performance car…at home on the twisties
as well as the Interstate…in most all kinds of weather.
Let’s start with the “bones”, OK? For under 30 thousand, you get a 268 HP 2.0
liter turbo engine and a 6-speed manual. If you want an automatic, they’ve got
an 8-speed available. And being a Subaru, all-wheel-drive is standard. Also
standard are 18” alloys with summer performance tires, heated front seats and
mirrors, moonroof, a subtle rear spoiler, sport suspension, and keyless entry.
I didn’t mention twenty-four-color ambient lighting, heated armrests or semi-
autonomous driving features. No. Subie’s WRX is simply a serious little “Blue-
Collar” compact…able to take up to five people down just about any road…safely
but with great haste.
But if you can’t resist a few extras, add a little over four-thousand to that under
30K window sticker and get an upgrade to Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers,
bronze-finish 18” alloys, untrasuede Recaro front seats, and LED headlamps
synched to your steering. That’ll cost you your moonroof, tho’. Less weight on
top = you go faster around corners. Remember…I told you this was a serious
machine, didn’t I?
Mileage? The EPA says 21 city and 27 highway, altho’ driving 65-ish with a
skinny spare, I got darned close to 35 MPG. But driving 65-ish in this car takes
a real effort, as it seems ready to say “Grrrr” and pounce forward with every stab
of the pedal.

If your fun sometimes includes other than four-wheeled activities, roof rack
brackets are standard…as is a 12 cu ft trunk with 60 / 40 rear pass-through
seating.
And if you need just one more “Plus”…when ordered in basic white, your WRX
becomes a bit of a “stealth fighter”. While it does have a few muscular bulges
and functional scoops, it’s humble four-door profile will hopefully get you pulled
over far less frequently than were you in an orange Porsche!

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