Subaru WRX: Best of both worlds

IN the realm of performance cars, the pecking order can change quite quickly — one moment, you’re top of the heap, and in the next, you’re bottom of the pile. Four years therefore is an eternity in this segment, one that the Subaru WRX finds itself precariously in. With a replacement due in about a year or two, it’s no longer the segment’s young gun, but rather, it’s now the elder statesman. Has Father Time been kind to the latest iteration of the World Rally e Xperiment?

If aesthetics is the sole gauge of longevity, then yes, the WRX still manages to look fine. With styling that’s downright conservative, it’s managed to outlive car fashion faux pas. Yes, it did go under the knife last year, but that’s mainly to keep the styling in line with the rest of the Subaru line-up. Still, it’s worth mentioning that the new exterior elements—the larger lower air intake, headlight-integrated daytime running lights, and 18-inch gunmetal alloys are all worthy, or should we say, necessary changes.

Ageless as it is outside, the WRX is starting to feel long in the tooth inside. Some elements, like the thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel and heavily bolstered sport seats still work, but the rest of the cabin feels like it’s 2014. Ergonomics continue to be spot on, but the material usage betrays its more humble origins.

The seven-inch touchscreen is a great upgrade from the previous setup, but because this still isn’t

Starlink, it doesn’t have functions like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Kudos though for the 2018 model’s sharper-looking center display, revised rear seats with center armrest, one-touch power windows for all, and the addition of Blind Spot indicators (no EyeSight here).

Mechanically, the 2018 WRX remains unchanged from before and that means having 265 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. The outputs aren’t particularly stellar, but don’t get it wrong: it’s never short on power. It lacks the raw, guttural sound of the STI’s EJ25 engine, but the FA20DIT is actually the more flexible, more tractable engine, even at low rpm.

The Lineartronic CVT means a split-second delay before the turbo spools up, but once it does, it delivers. The SI-Drive is supposed to add some civility to the equation, but the default Intelligent mode only serves to choke the performance. Keeping it in Sport results in the best balance of every day performance and fuel economy. Oh, and for the curious, the WRX manages 6.41 km/L at an average speed of 15 km/h.

Curiously, there’s a disconcerting experience with the WRX that mimics a previous experience with a direct-injected, turbocharged engine from another brand: the sudden loss of power. While the previous experience was coupled with a rise in temperature, in the case of the WRX, the engine temperature still read normal. Hard presses on the throttle would still deliver some power, but not before some degree of hesitation. This is purely anecdotal, but in both cases, the fuel used is a popular 95-octane fuel from the largest oil company in the Philippines.

For 2018, Subaru says that the WRX’s handling has been tweaked making it feel more natural. However, without a backto-back drive with the old one, the differences cannot be validated. Still, the key here is accessible performance on any road or surface. The steering is commendably quick and linear, obliging late dive downs through corners. Steering aside, the suspension makes for a quick, secure, fun sports sedan. Despite its four-door layout, it subjectively has the same level of agility as say, its BRZ sports car sibling. And of course, just like any Subaru, the standard all-wheel drive with brake-based torque vectoring adds a thick layer of security. In this case, the 45/55 front-to-rear split can move torque around to the set of wheels that need it the most.

Countermeasures have been put in place against unwanted NVH such as thicker door glass door sealing, and a foam-filled windshield beam. Despite these measures though, the WRX won’t be mistaken for a cushy compact or executive sedan. For sure, it’s quiet even at highway speed, but the standard 18-inch Dunlop tires are still audible. In terms of ride, it’s stiff, but at least it keeps larger jolts in check.

Few cars in the Philippine market can offer the WRX’s unique combination of sportscar fun with family-friendly practicality. And with its P2,008,000 price tag, it’s pretty much the only one left at that price range. Father Time may have withered away some of the mystic surrounding this iconic Subaru, but it’s still the car that can melt weekday duties into raucous fun. It’s a car built not just for the weekend, but for the weekday as well.