Used 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Subaru WRX and 2021 WRX STI models have built a loyal following for providing high performance in any condition, on any surface and in any climate, thanks to the company’s experience in rally competition. Though rallying doesn’t get a lot of exposure in the United States, it requires heaps of talent and ability from the drivers and the machines. And Subaru has won multiple world championships in this form of racing.

In two tiers, the 2021 WRX offers an introductory portion of performance to a segment newcomer with 268 horsepower from a turbocharged flat-4 cylinder engine. Segment rivals like Honda’s Civic Si (discontinued for 2021, though still in inventories), VW’s Jetta GLI, and Golf GTI aren’t quite on power par, with 203 horsepower and 228 for the VWs. The more extreme 2021 WRX STI boosts output to 310 horsepower to compete with the 2021 Honda Civic Type R’s 306 and the Hyundai Veloster N’s 275 horsepower, though those are both hatchbacks and front-wheel drive only. Both WRX models prove that fun and practicality are not mutually exclusive.

The 2021 Subaru WRX doesn’t wear the latest designer clothing, but it does have a finely-fettled all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment, along with a generally entertaining driving character. Its 268 horsepower turbocharged flat-4 cylinder engine produces unique throbs with a guttural exhaust and mates with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), effectively an automatic. The versions we’ve driven were somewhat surge-prone and laggy on the turbo boost, making the WRX feel lethargic at times, especially once you’ve accelerated hard and felt the power available at higher engine speeds on a fully opened throttle. The power is there, but you just have to be patient.

Once you reach twisty roads, though, the cost of a bumpy ride in the city pays dividends. Steering responds very quickly, the body leans only a trifle, and the WRX becomes the natural tail-wagging puppy running through the woods that it was born to be. And the STI is all of that as well, but on an even higher plane. In a world full of samey-same, luxury midsized SUVs with artisanal leather upholstery and automatic nail clippers, it’s reassuring that some cars are still both cars and just a little raw. It’s not a flavor for everyone (hence the Subaru Impreza), but if you’re even a little bit more adventurous and fun-seeking, the WRX and STI might peg your perky meter.

Subaru’s hallmark engine configuration commonly referred to as a flat-4 with horizontally opposed cylinders (or “boxer”) creates a distinctive gurgly, guttural soundtrack, but also brings a subtle handling benefit by keeping the car’s center of gravity lower than if the cylinders were upright and in a line.

The turbocharged, 268 horsepower 2.0-liter version in the 2021 WRX has enough juice for most situations, sprinting to 60 mph in under six seconds. The WRX STI’s 310-horse version shoves much harder, reaching 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. The 6-speed manual transmission in either model does it’s best to keep power delivery on the boil (though the WRX STI uses more closely-spaced gear ratios), aside from momentary fits of surge and lag at lower engine speeds. Shift quality is excellent, and the length of each shift’s throw is relatively short, though Subaru dealers offer a shorter-throw shifter as an optional accessory.

Though both the WRX and STI have all-wheel drive, only those with the manual 6-speed transmission get the viscous-coupling center differential. WRX models with the optional CVT transmission have a planetary-gear center differential and a hydraulic transfer clutch.

Whether you’re commuting to work in a freeway slog or setting off at 6:00 am to your favorite twisty back road, simple controls placed at all the normal, expected places are precisely what a good driver wants, and Subaru fills that bill excellently. Beyond that, the view forward and to the sides is as unobstructed as it can be, making you feel immediately comfortable and cognizant of the car’s extremities. Though there are five seats, no one seeks the middle rear unless they’ve lost a bet. But if rear seat use will be frequent, other small cars offer more rear legroom like Honda’s Civic and VW’s Golf and Jetta.

While the WRX looks mildly aggressive, the WRX STI is the bulldog here. It boasts front fender flares, big wheels and tires, and large openings in the front bumper for cooling. A scoop atop the hood feeds air into the intercooler (but not the actual air intake, as some might think). The WRX STI Limited offers the choice between a trunk-mounted wing or a far more subtle trunk lid spoiler. But the wing pairs up with the Honda Civic Type R’s wing in both height and visual impact. So, there’s no getting around the notion that the WRX and STI are both not exactly pretty.

Both WRX and STI have flared fenders and a quad-tip exhaust system. Only the STI comes with 19-inch alloy wheels and Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs as standard.

EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS
Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance package (though only on WRX Premium and WRX Limited with the CVT transmission) includes lane-keeping assistance, active cruise control, and a pre-collision system that applies the brakes automatically to prevent potential accidents or lessen the effects of an unavoidable collision.

RECARO SEATS
Standard on the WRX STI Limited, and for $2,250 on the WRX STI. Recaro seats are highly grippy and bolstered 8-way power-adjustable. They keep you planted in place during the most aggressive cornering and braking maneuvers.

The base 2021 WRX comes with all-wheel drive, a manual transmission, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other items include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, heated side mirrors, 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The WRX STI adds the more powerful engine, a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, stiffer and sportier suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, and upholstery simulated suede/leather inserts and extra seat bolstering.

The base 2021 WRX offers no options. It comes in one configuration with the 268 horsepower engine and 6-speed transmission and all-wheel drive, power windows, cruise control, and air conditioning. If you want a moonroof, an automatic transmission, heated front seats, or Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist package of active safety features, you must opt for the WRX Premium or WRX Limited. The WRX Premium offers stand-alone options, including Recaro seats, larger Brembo brakes from the STI, and Ultrasuede upholstery.

Meanwhile, the WRX STI comes with the 310 horsepower engine, and a different close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission only. It also lands larger 19-inch wheels and bigger Brembo brakes. The STI Limited adds the big rear wing, leather Recaro seats, a moonroof, blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

There’s also a long list of dealer-installed accessories. These include cargo management for the trunk and the roof, splash guards, foul-weather floor mats, audio speaker upgrades, a short-throw shifter, and exhaust systems.

All Subaru engines use a “boxer” design where the cylinders are laid flat and opposed to each other like the old Volkswagen Beetle engine was and the Porsche 911 still is. Both WRX and STI’s flat-4 engines are turbocharged, but the WRX’s displacement is 2.0-liters, where the STI’s is 2.5 liters. The WRX generates a healthy 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The bigger, badder STI engine cranks out 310 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque.

2021 Subaru WRX models come standard with a manual 6-speed transmission delivering power to all four wheels. The optional CVT automatic also works through a planetary-geared center differential. The STI comes only with the manual 6-speed, and a unique viscous center differential focused more on extreme performance.

WRX:
2.0-liter, turbocharged flat-4
268 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg (manual), 18/24 mpg (CVT)

WRX STI:
2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4
310 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
290 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg