Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Subaru WRX STi review

The Subaru WRX STi is back, but can it recapture the popularity the older models enjoyed so much?

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Dramatic performance, practical body, retains some cult appeal
  • Dated design, uncomfortable ride, high running costs
Find your Subaru WRX STi
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

For many people the WRX is the epitome of Subaru. Standing for World Rally Experimental - the WRX and its rallying success transformed the Subaru brand from a company famed for workhorse 4x4s loved by farmers to a firm synonymous with performance and handling.  However, the market has changed and in recent years and the WRX’s shining light has waned.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Subaru WRX STi is the latest in a long line of family friendly performance  cars from the brand, and can trace its roots to the Impreza, which achieved huge success in rallying.

There have been estate, hatchback and coupé bodystyles over the years, but the current WRX sticks to the four-door saloon format made famous by the original Impreza, while the turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel-drive system maintain the same tradition.

While the Impreza WRX STi has a loyal following, the arrival of a new Impreza means it's not long for this world - and Subaru has released a limited Final Edition version to celebrate its passing.

Engines, performance and drive

Fire up the Subaru’s four-cylinder boxer turbo, and you get a familiar offbeat burble from under the bonnet, while the car gently vibrates to the tune of the engine. You have to manhandle the WRX STi to get it going, due to the heavy gearbox, clutch and steering, although once on the move it’s easy to live with. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

If you want to get close to Subaru’s claimed 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds, you need to be pretty brutal with the clutch, yet we managed 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds with a bit of mechanical sympathy in our tests. 

Subaru WRX STi 2014 - rear

In corners, the Subaru’s permanent 4WD system comes to the fore. It delivers tremendous amounts of grip, even in wet conditions, and gives you confidence to push the car hard, even on the twistiest roads. Yet the WRX demands precision if you want to get the best out of it. Approach corners too fast and the nose will wash wide. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, take a more measured approach and the STi turns in sharply, while the rear moves sideways a fraction, helping straighten the car and maximise the all-wheel-drive traction on the exit of a corner. Only the steering gives cause for concern, as its meaty low-speed weighting gives way to a light and vague feel as you go faster.

Unfortunately, the Subaru’s ability comes at the expense of comfort. The stiff suspension sends bumps into the cabin, while engine noise at low speed is only surpassed by tyre roar on the motorway. Subaru fans will say this is part of the WRX STi’s character, but the Leon is just as capable on country roads, yet you wouldn’t think twice about taking it on a longer journey.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Final Edition model is no faster than the standard car, but comes with a completely electronic, rather than an electro-mechanical, centre differential, allowing you to tune the aggressiveness of the diff. Subaru has also fitted the Final Edition with more potent, six-pot Brembo brakes, new 19-inch alloys and tweaked damping.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

If you’re going to own and run a WRX then you’ll need to stomach some pretty hefty running costs. For starters, if you choose one as a company car, emissions of 242g/km place it in the 35 per cent tax bracket meaning near £4,000 tax bills for a higher-rate earner. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Depreciation and insurance will cost you a lot, too, while you’ll have to pay £475 a year for your tax disc, and lots of money on fuel. Having said that, excluding any track driving we recorded a surprisingly frugal 26.4 but with no stop-start you’ll struggle to match that in town, while keen driving will cost you at the pumps.

The WRX needs servicing every 10,000 miles and while Subaru dealers don’t have prices for the new WRX yet, past experience suggests servicing won’t be cheap, although the firm’s dealers rank highly in Driver Power, so you should at least get good service. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

However, unlike the rest of the range, which comes with a five-year warranty, you only get three years/ 60,000 miles of coverage on the WRX.

Interior, design and technology

Just looking at the Subaru WRX STi lets you know exactly what you’re in for when you get behind the wheel. The four-door body has a similar silhouette to one-time arch rival the Mitsubishi Evo X, with a bluff nose, functional bonnet scoop, stubby rear end and huge rear wing all shouting about its rally car heritage.

Up front, there’s a gaping grille and a trio of air intakes in the front bumper, while the C-shaped daytime running lights add some class. Blistered wheelarches house dark grey 18-inch alloys, although they do look on the small side when compared to some of the larger offerings on rival performance cars.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At the back there’s a black plastic diffuser and two pairs of exhaust pipes, just in case the other racy add-ons don’t scream road-racer enough for you.

Subaru WRX STi 2014 - light

While the Subaru looks the part, build quality could be better. There’s a tinny feel to the doors when they close, while the vast rear wing wobbles disconcertingly when the bootlid is slammed shut.

Climb inside, and the Subaru pays homage to its ancestors with a cabin that feels rather old fashioned. There’s nothing wrong with how it’s built; it’s just that the hard plastics and shiny switchgear look dated. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The stereo has a dot-matrix display, while the screen on top of the dash which displays trip info and torque distribution is reminiscent of a nineties computer game. The diff control switch is exactly the same as the one from the last Impreza WRX, too, and the pink STi lettering on the dash adds another retro touch.  

Practicality, comfort and boot space

Open the Subaru’s boot, and you’re greeted by a 460-litre space. There’s a high floor, thanks to the 4WD running gear underneath, while the narrow saloon boot opening means it’s harder to access than hot hatch rivals.

A four-door layout swings practicality back in the WRX STi’s favour, and a long wheelbase means there’s more legroom in the back, too. The seats are finished in leather and Alcantara, and add a sporty touch.

Subaru WRX STi 2014 - interior

Up front, there’s reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel and a wide range of seat adjustment, too. Rear visibility is blocked a little by the large rear wing, although Subaru doesn’t offer rear parking sensors or a camera as options.

Reliability and Safety

Like Toyota, Subaru has a first-class reputation for building cars that are strong and durable. The WRX STi uses technology that can trace its heritage back to Subaru’s world rally cars, so it should prove robust and able to stand up to the rigours of hard use, especially if you plan to take it on track days. And you can expect first-class service from Subaru, too, as the company finished fourth out of 27 car makers in our Driver Power 2017 brand survey.

The WRX STi features seven airbags, while the four-wheel-drive system adds confidence in wet weather. It uses advanced electronics and a mechanical centre diff to distribute power, so the Subaru shouldn’t face too much trouble in poor conditions.

When it comes to safety the WRX comes with side, curtain and a knee airbag, plus Isofix, rear child locks and a full complement of rear seatbelts and headrests. Hill hold and stability control are standard. You also get a Thatcham approved alarm and immobilizer. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on WRX STi

New 2022 Subaru WRX launched with 267bhp flat-four boxer engine
Subaru WRX 2022
News
10 Sep 2021

New 2022 Subaru WRX launched with 267bhp flat-four boxer engine

The fifth-generation Subaru WRX will storm onto the US market next year, but the UK is being left out again with no plans for a British launch
Limited edition 336bhp Subaru WRX STI S209 revealed
Subaru WRX STI S209 - front
News
15 Jan 2019

Limited edition 336bhp Subaru WRX STI S209 revealed

The Subaru WRX STI S209 debuts at the 2019 Detroit Motor Show, but it won’t be coming to the UK
Subaru WRX STi Final Edition 2018 review
Subaru WRX STi Final Edition - front
Road tests
23 Jan 2018

Subaru WRX STi Final Edition 2018 review

Just 150 units of the Subaru WRX STi Final Edition will be sold in the UK, but buyers will receive a feisty four-door
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru WRX STi production to end as Final Edition announced
Subaru WRX STi Final Edition front
News
1 Nov 2017

Subaru WRX STi production to end as Final Edition announced

Investment in EVs and autonomous tech forces Subaru to end WRX STi after 23 years of production
Subaru launch limited edition S208 WRX STi
Subaru S208 WRX STi - front
News
25 Oct 2017

Subaru launch limited edition S208 WRX STi

Only 450 examples of the Subaru S208 WRX STi will be produced, exclusively in Japan
Subaru WRX STI 2018 facelift review
Subaru WRX STI - front
Road tests
20 Jul 2017

Subaru WRX STI 2018 facelift review

The Subaru WRX STI has been updated, and we've been for an early drive in Japan
Modified Subaru WRX STi sets new Isle of Man TT lap record
Subaru WRX STI - Isle of Man TT action
News
8 Jun 2016

Modified Subaru WRX STi sets new Isle of Man TT lap record

Rally ace Mark Higgins smashes the Isle of Man TT lap record in a 600bhp Subaru WRX STi
Subaru WRX STi - best performance cars
Subaru WRX STi 2014 - rear
Best cars & vans
27 Apr 2016

Subaru WRX STi - best performance cars

The cult of the Subaru WRX has waned in recent years, although the memory of old World Rally Championship weapons like the Impreza is still strong.
Toyota GT86 Aero vs Subaru WRX STi & SEAT Leon Cupra
Car group tests
10 Feb 2015

Toyota GT86 Aero vs Subaru WRX STi & SEAT Leon Cupra

Rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive? We see which is best for a performance car
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3
Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3 Saloon
Car group tests
12 Aug 2014

Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3

All-wheel-drive sports saloons do battle as the new Subaru WRX STi meets Audi S3
Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3 Saloon video
Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3 Saloon
Videos
22 Jul 2014

Subaru WRX STi vs Audi S3 Saloon video

Does the new Subaru WRX STi live up to its predecessors - and can it match the new Audi S3 Saloon?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru WRX STi 2014 review
Subaru WRX STi 2014 - front
Road tests
20 Jun 2014

Subaru WRX STi 2014 review

Subaru WRX STi rally legend returns in bid to recapture glory days
Bolder Subaru Impreza WRX is coming
Subaru WRX concept
News
15 Jun 2014

Bolder Subaru Impreza WRX is coming

Subaru could implement styling from 2013's WRX Concept into next Impreza production car
Mark Higgins conquers Isle of Man TT in new Subaru
News
5 Jun 2014

Mark Higgins conquers Isle of Man TT in new Subaru

We get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Mark Higgins' record-breaking lap of the Isle of Man TT course in a Subaru WRX STi
New Subaru WRX STi and VIZIV 2 concept unveiled
News
4 Mar 2014

New Subaru WRX STi and VIZIV 2 concept unveiled

European debut for latest STi car, plus new VIZIV 2 concept car revealed at Geneva Motor Show
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru WRX 2014 review
Subaru WRX 2014 front static 2
Road tests
16 Dec 2013

Subaru WRX 2014 review

The Subaru WRX returns, but this time with a more upmarket feel
Subaru WRX spy pictures
Subaru WRX front
News
17 Apr 2013

Subaru WRX spy pictures

The next Subaru WRX has been spied testing at the Nurburgring, but UK sales remain uncertain
Subaru WRX STi concept
Subaru WRX STi concept front
News
28 Mar 2013

Subaru WRX STi concept

Pictures and details of the Subaru WRX STi concept, following its debut at the New York show
BMW M135i vs Subaru WRX STi track test
Videos
2 Jan 2013

BMW M135i vs Subaru WRX STi track test

The BMW M135i and Subaru WRX STi both have 316bhp and 450Nm of torque, but which is fastest on track?
Subaru WRX STi 340R
Subaru WRX STi 340R front cornering
Road tests
11 Dec 2012

Subaru WRX STi 340R

Our verdict on the 335bhp Subaru WRX STi 340R, which aims to make the saloon a contender
Subaru WRX STi (2007-2013) review
Subaru WRX STi Hatchback front three-quarters
In-depth reviews
14 Jun 2012

Subaru WRX STi (2007-2013) review

Four-wheel-drive Subaru WRX STi hatchback offers blistering performance on all surfaces and in all weather conditions
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru WRX STi review
Subaru WRX STi saloon front tracking
In-depth reviews
5 May 2012

Subaru WRX STi review

The blisteringly quick Subaru WRX STi is great fun to drive, but costs a small fortune to run
Subaru WRX STi
Subaru WRX STi front
Road tests
11 Mar 2011

Subaru WRX STi

The latest generation of turbocharged Subaru might have changed its name - but does it still offer the same driving thrills as before?