The Subaru WRX comparison that matters. Ciro De Siena owns a classic Subaru WRX and brought it along to see how it compares with the modern 2023 Subaru WRX.
The Subaru WRX is one of the most iconic nameplates globally, but in the recent past, it’s fallen to one side as more powerful hot hatches have been developed to take its place. Subaru also thought its WRX should take on the performance sedan segment against the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and the Merc C-Class.
The market for high-performance compact sedans has changed significantly since the WRX set the standard. Nearly all the German car companies tried their own interpretation of the WRX formula: with 2-litre turbocharged compact sedans that are all-wheel drive.
But Subaru still has the unique flat-four engine, which not only sounds amazing but also lowers the overall centre of mass, making a real difference to handling and agility. The other big win with Subaru’s WRX range is that it offers something that very few German 2-litre turbocharged compact high-performance sedans do: a manual gearbox. That means maximum driver involvement.
In a market where there are so many German 2-litre turbocharged four- and five-door compact performance cars to choose from, does Subaru still offer something truly distinctive? Well, there’s only one way to really find out…
Our resident Subaru WRX owner, Ciro De Siena, brought his WRX Prodrive out to play with the new model. It is the Subaru WRX comparison you need.
How do the two models, some 20 years apart compare and has Subaru finally got its groove back? Watch and see what he thinks.
