Since its launch in Japan in 1992, the WRX (World Rally Experimental) has taken the world by storm. The WRX was Subaru’s weapon to take on World Rally competition. The WRX took three consecutive manufacturer’s championships. It was the first Japanese automobile company to do this. It also took class wins in the 24-hour Nurburgring race.
In Australia, the WRX dominated the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) with ten consecutive driver’s championships and seven manufacturers’ championship crowns. It only came to an end when Subaru withdrew from the championship undefeated in 2005. In 2016, the WRX came back and took another championship. The Subaru World Rally Team competed at the highest level until their withdrawal in 2008. But other groups have been kicking ass continuously through the years.
Time waits for no man or Subaru. Like all of us, Subaru’s fifth-generation WRX has grown up. You no longer have to wear your ball cap backwards to drive it. We no longer have the choice of grabbing a hard-core gravel-spitting STI, But, like us, that doesn’t mean it always acts grown up.
Subaru has still allowed some rally inspiration to seep into the latest WRX’s vibe. For 2023, the WRX rests on a new platform that shares architecture with the Impreza, the Outback, and the Forrester. The WRX is now longer wider, and the roofline is lower along with the center of gravity.
The WRX has never been accused of being good-looking. Especially now with all the plastic body cladding. Subaru says the cladding, with its texture, helps with airflow over the body. Purposeful looking is more the feeling. It is an acquired taste that people have been digging for a number of years. (2004 might be considered a high water mark.)
One way or another, it’s still a WRX.
What you get is a 2.4 liter Boxer, DOHC intercooled turbocharged engine putting out 271 HP @ 5600rpm (That’s three more than the previous version) and 258 ft-lbs of torque @ 2000rpm up to 5200rpm.
The WRX weighs in at 3401 lbs. So it’s heavier than before, but it has better braking, better handling, and similar acceleration to the previous incarnation. It also has a stiffer and more refined chassis.
This particular Subaru GT only has two peddles, and the CVT (ContinousVariable Transmission) is renamed and souped up for the WRX and is known as SPT (Subaru Performance Transmission.)
It may not be the same flipping paddles for the supposed eight speeds in manual mode as it would be rowing through six gears in the true manual, but with the SPT, in the GT, a whole bag of drive mode goodies gets opened. (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual), which, via the 11.6-inch center touchscreen, lets you configure to your handling heart’s content. Steering weight, front-to-rear torque balance of the all-wheel-drive system, and ride stiffness from the GT-exclusive adaptive dampers. (younger generation) You also get EyeSight Driver Assist System with accident avoidance (grown-up.)
The lack of a third peddle aside the interior is spot on. The GT comes with heavily bolstered Recaro seats covered in micro suede that hug you as a good rally seat should.
The 11.6” touchscreen, when not configuring driving modes, gives you a lot to look at but can be a bit clunky at times.
The tachometer and speedometer are old-school analogs. You can set up the thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel just as you like it, but the experience would be a lot better if the electrically assisted steering wasn’t so boosted. It’s not terrible, but a bit more weight would be preferable. That doesn’t keep the steering from being crisp and precise, and the grip is a wonderful thing.
Like any good WRX, this car is meant to be chucked around and pushed to its limits. Its useable midrange power, all-wheel-drive traction, well-balanced suspension, and responsive steering make for a driving experience that is hard to beat. but at the same time, leave it in full auto and take a long drive on a four-lane, and you have a capable highway GT cruiser that keeps you comfortable for the long haul.
The WRX GT is either a Swiss Army knife or a patient with multiple personality disorder of the car world. It’s all-wheel drive and can get you through the nasty seasons and not leave you stranded if you use a touch of common sense. It is also engaging and quick enough to charm your inner hooligan, and without wings, it doesn’t paint a target on your back for the local heat. It still grabs the attention of other hotted-up Asian car drivers looking to give it a run for its money, but to citizens, it runs under the radar. It also has four doors, a usable backseat, and a healthy trunk. Is it a sports car, a Grand Touring car, or a daily driver?
Whatever you think it is, is how you choose to use it. The WRX does everything well. Not perfect, but close enough. One downside. It is really thirsty, and it only drinks premium. That is the price you pay for all the fun this Suby hands you.
It might have ecno-box roots, but those images fade away out on the road.
You can leave your driveway like a good Catholic girl going to school once you are out of site of home the skirt can be shortened and a couple of buttons can be undone automotively speaking and you can go wild. It lets you choose choose your age range with its collection of settings. Wild teenager or responsible adult.
Whatever you choose, you are going to have a blast.
