2016 Subaru WRX | CarGurus Test Drive Review

The 2016 Subaru WRX is a price-for-pound powerhouse in the sport compact category. The car's racing inspiration is evident in its turbocharged plant that rockets the car to 60 mph in 5 seconds, and its supremely tight setup is confident at any speed. Don't be confused, though: Although Subaru's car is named after its 1990s World Rally Championship cars, that's all history by now. What's left is a comfortable commuter with a serious wild side.
Read our full review here: cargur.us/4VMcQ
The Subaru WRX isn’t the world’s first sport compact sedan, but it sure seems like a perennial powerhouse and favorite. Alongside the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen GTI, and outgoing Mitsubishi Evolution, the WRX is a heat-seeking, fun 4-seater and an all-out blast to drive.
Redesigned in 2015, this year’s WRX retains all the creases and sheet metal from last year. Included in last year’s complete overhaul were a new nose, a deeper chin, a wider track, and a more aggressive hood. This year’s exterior improvements are confined to available 18-inch wheels and an upgraded infotainment system. Not included in last year’s overhaul was a 5-door hatchback, and the mountain-states staple won’t be around for this year, either.
The WRX is offered in three trims: the base WRX, WRX Premium, and WRX Limited, which all sport the same 2.0-liter turbocharged flat 4-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive (AWD). Higher trims include creature comforts such as a sunroof and leather seating and offer an available continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Presenter: Aaron Cole
Photography: Nathan Leach-Proffer
Subscribe to the CarGurus Channel:
/ cargurus
Check out our Test Drive Reviews playlist:
www.youtube.co....

[@TKollaKid]

"This grip holds out a lot longer than your courage." lol I love that.

[@PT111111]

"You can listen to Phil Collins too". HAH!! Nice one.

[@thirstingknowledge]

PT111111 phil collins was very popular in the 80's! at least among teenage girls!

[@PT111111]

Sure, but we're not in the 80s anymore and those 80s teenage girls would already be in their 50s now. lol

[@neirboca]

PT111111 40s

[@ricodelta1]

I listen to Phil So ill be getting the CVT ;)

[@lowlifeangler]

No Micheal Bolton fans?

[@sshah2545]

Idk what people don’t like about this. I think it’s gorgeous

[@braveknight283]

I really don't understand why Subaru decided to discontinue the WRX wagon. The wagon is the nicest looking WRX IMO and you have to love that storage space.

[@bflo1000]

Exactly. It's like a mini SUV.

[@Ureyeuh]

Nice review. Information, advocacy for the hatch, touched on the vehicle history, beautiful location, humor... nice.

[@peteflynn3923]

Great review. Great car, and I agree about the lack of a hatch version. My daughter has an Impreza hatch and it is soooo useful.

[@therealbajan522]

+Pete Flynn Agreed

[@Boatfisherz1]

I love that a guy complains about the look of the WRX, while he's wearing a Vans shirt and looks like he hasn't left his mom's basement in 3 year. Ya, his style opinion must be good... 🤣

[@BStudd1182]

Good review. As an owner of the 2015 Rex, I have personally hit 60 in 5 seconds flat on more than one occasion so it really just depends on the driver and weather conditions.

[@blizbiggy]

Tim Davidson and road. (also I heard traction control off gets you a better time)

[@coopsnz1]

Down a hill . Wrx is stock 5.8

[@benjamincox692]

Yea that'll happen when your going down a hill....

[@futureleaderscentredubai6120]

No, rev it up to 5-6k rpm, then dumb the clutch, you'll get flat 5secs. Thank me later

[@benjamincardoza5335]

Great review. Definitely a good balance of straight-up auto journalism and humor. Definitely a hint of Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear in here every once in a while - minus the punching of BBC producers.

[@zackzielinski3340]

Doesnt WRX stand for World Rally Cross? Lol

[@bryandoherty9399]

I want to say it's World Rally experiment. Because then the WRX STI is World Rally Experiment Subaru Technica International

[@chrisdontworryaboutit8998]

Zack Zielinski World Rally Xperimental

[@aluisious]

Zack Zielinski it stands for World Rally X. Duh.

[@Brian-dd2df]

Bryan Doherty What does the WRX STI NR4 stand for then?

[@bryandoherty9399]

World Rally experiment Subaru technica international. I'm not sure what nr4 means. NR might stand for Nurburgring, because Subaru races in the 24hr race, but they've only won 3 times. The WRX STI NR4 has a 2.0 instead of the 2.5

[@exit07]

Finally someone made a review of the 2016 WRX!! Thank you!

[@dennispallone4638]

TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOUR TAKE ON THE HATCHBACK WTF WERE THEY THINKING.NOT ONLY THE LOOK OF THE CAR BUT EASE OF USE SHOPPING BAGS TOSS THEM IN SURFBOARDS TOSS THEM IN IT REALLY DID BREAK MY HEART TO SEE THE HATCH GO.

[@kathleenpeterson612]

I love, LOVE my 2016 WRX. I smile when ever I'm driving. Even around town. Mine is a pearl white and I love the look. Unfortunately I live in flat country so I'm looking forward to a cross country trip to mountains. The only complaint is that I can't get the wheels to "squeak" around corners, it just grips soooo well. And yes, I too, am glowing.

[@michaelwatkins7960]

+I Peterson so im not the only one that is wanting to know where my squeak is.

[@joelvigil6012]

😅 years ago. I love my wrx 2016

[@egasparinijr1]

Finding stuff to complain about in today's car market is hilarious. We are so damn lucky that cars like this exist. So much fun. There has been a legitimate car renaissance in the last 5 or 6 years and it keeps getting better and better.

[@pb4ugo08]

Having owned a 2014 WRX Hatchback and now own a 2016 Subaru Sedan I have to say that after the first hour of driving the 2016 I honestly couldn't careless about it being a hatch or not. Yes, wife and I loved our hatch but the 2016 is sooooooooo much better in nearly every aspect. I am not a huge fan of the way some of the angles on the car look but I do like the ridiculous look of the WRX in general. We love our 2016 sedan....wouldn't trade it for the older hatch...no way, no how.

[@0382kortega]

is the motor reliable i plan on getting one dont plan on making any mods to it other then exterior mods like lights etc.

[@pb4ugo08]

We only have 8k miles on ours so I do not think I am an authority on the reliability of the motor just yet. The motor is improved from previous generations ( it is smaller but just as powerful ). Far as I know...the 2.0 is a good engine. I have around 32k on my BRZ and it has never given me any issues at all.

[@zackobrien2223]

How's the reliability been? 2 years later :)

[@denrico777]

I can't fathom how anyone could think any hatch looks better than a sedan. Hatches look like mini-mini vans. They are HORRIBLE looking. But to each their own.

[@riennafoutre3833]

+DeAndre Enrico WRX hatchback was a big fuckin mistake....

[@denrico777]

Rien Nafoutre The hatch itself was a mistake or getting rid of it was a mistake?

[@denrico777]

LOL. I don't know if I'd call it a mistake but I thought it was ugly as hell. But I just think hatches are terrible looking. Nothing sporty about them. When I bought my 2011 WRX, the sales lady kept trying to sell me a hatch version or a damn GTI. I was insulted.

[@ThePikmin18]

Amen brother rman

[@Newsondorian11]

+DeAndre Enrico I thought the point of buying the hatch was to have the same power and speed but more room for storage. Since most people already don't like the look of these cars, why not fuck it up a little more for a bunch more space?

[@Gjeebs]

I'm sure most of you know about this but get their app for your phone. It is by far the best for searching for a car when you are looking to buy.

[@charliereycroft8256]

This is the best review I’ve ever seen, give this guy an oscar

[@Appalachianventure]

One of the best reviews ever...

[@evalegacy1]

I just bought a 2016 Subaru WRX, waiting for it to arrive from the factory and the anticipation is killing me!! Coming from a VW GTI, I really like the hatchback look! So I totally agree... What the F*** Subaru! :D

[@pookiedacat8364]

This guy so speaks the truth, on pretty much any road/traffic, it's just a great car to drive. I've been motoring Subbie since 1988, and this is the best of the bunch. I drove the GTI, it drove me right to another WRX.

[@punkrocker1228]

Don't dog the cvt till you try it, you lose the control, but you gain one hell of a smooth transmission. I was heading to Astoria or coast in my 15 cvt and I couldn't believe how well the sport mode handled those curves. I'm personally a fan of the sport mode over sport sharp the simulated six speed just had cleaner throttle response. The only thing this car needs is a radar detector and some tuning.

[@yoshi7610]

You can also listen to Phil Collins too, it’s your choice “Car Gurus”

[@iforc]

This might be my favorite car review ever! NO HATCH BACK??? Haha

[@conneradams5711]

How DARE you talk down upon Phil Collins?

[@68023W]

Aaron loves the drive, but the looks? Not so much. Which proves that beauty is (or isn't) in the eyes of the beholder. For me (2 months into WRX ownership) the thing looks like a teenager's wet dream. Sufficient panel changes from the donor Impreza to take average into gorgeous. And ... f**k, it's insanely fast! (BTW - great review Aaron!)

[@debi1091]

LemonCat1 tfvhfgfdwief

[@debi1091]

LemonCat1 pebbleu5thhrhr

[@tisrari5849]

“You’ll get somethin that grips for days”

[@williamk1800]

Is the Short Shifter really a necessary option on these? Doesn't seem like any of the pro reviewers mention a need for it in their videos.

[@sergiodc2948]

William K it's pretty much standard shown as an option so don't worry about it much. If you get the car you will get it like it or not.

[@josephholder5472]

You deserve more subscribers this was great. Cheers!

[@rogerpiero]

I prefer sedans than wagons. Wagons reminds me of hearses to much.

[@TheJm1234321]

i usually hate subaru wrx because of their looks, so damn boyish ugly. until this one came up just loved the looks. its more mature.

[@joshpinchuk7061]

Kudos for the first video review of the 2016 WRX! What was wrong with the road? Seems like the kinda street this car was made for.

[@H4rpyE4gle]

this video probably sold me on this car even though i dont dig the sedan look too

[@JustSomeGuy23]

"The grip will hold out longer then your courage" my courage will hold out longer

[@AntilleanConfederation]

Same review from everyone else. You seen one, you seen them all.. I would say this is the best looking wrx to date..

[@joshmorra4775]

just bought a '16 subaru wrx limited , my first manual car, wish me luck!!

[@BMSLou]

1) The pan shots are too quick to see the dash, 2) Phil Collins rawks, and 3) For no hatch, you sure seemed to enjoy this Sedan ride in the later part of the video. In all, I appreciate the video...thanks for posting. :o)

[@smokescreen399]

People don't buy the Wrx for the looks they buy it for performance. Imo i dig the overall look 👌

[@mikalkielli3351]

me too

[@pookiedacat8364]

I love my '16 WRX!

[@zackobrien2223]

How many miles do you have on yours?

[@pookiedacat8364]

I live in a city, so I've got a little over 12K miles on it, yep, 12,000+ miles.

[@shawnriv9]

Awesome review. I am torn between the 2016 WRX or the GTI. If I went with the GTI I would go tune with a stage one. But then again, I would go out right now and purchase the new WRX if it came in a hatchback.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

shawnriv9 dont touch the gti no comparison for pure enthusiast in clutch raw feedback andreliability wrx plus hugh residual value

[@riennafoutre3833]

+shawnriv9 man fuck the GTI ! i was torn just like you a couple of month ago...i tried both and didn't even have to think about it...choice was easily made.....you cant compare a FWD 220hp to a AWD 268hp !!!! you can compare the Golf R to the WRX though, but not the GTI....but you gonna pay like 5000$ more for the golf R but it's an incredible car !

[@jayczyzyk9707]

yes

[@CorwinYoutube]

Great review, love the humor :-)

[@patrickford9615]

Oh, and the looks... I had an 05 sedan. When the 08 came out, i thought it was ugly as sin, but it grew on me. And when i got 2 big dogs, it pushed me over the top and i got my 11 wagon. Maybe this will grow on me?

[@gothops154]

Did you really just refer to the hatchback version as a wagon dude? You should know better than that

[@riennafoutre3833]

Seriously, the 2016 WRX is the best quality/price ratio you can get, no doubt about it !!!

[@riennafoutre3833]

i must say, best performance/price ratio.....that's the car with the most Hp per $$$

[@eRxi98]

So the new WRX has the Impreza S4 wheels in Japan now. Good start Subaru, now we need a more powerful STI and a hatch for rally and i will be happy.

[@jesselambert4968]

It's one of the nicest looking cars out especially in its price range I don't know what the hell he's talking about. I'll take a sedan over a wagon any day! 2015 is the first year Subaru made a cool looking vehicle though. Love the new WRX!!

[@Black2KGSR]

completely agree. I never liked any Subaru before, but fell in love with the 2015 at first sight.

[@jameswilliams6975]

Jesse Lambert actor watch video on 1970 Harley Davidson 883 how to rewire how to completely rewire a 1970 Harley-Davidson 883

[@bobbytepsa9567]

Still driving it awesome car

[@JORDIIMusic]

Correction: they do make a wagon - the Subaru Levorg (also comes in STI spec). Unfortunately you yanks didn't get it :'(

[@wingspantt]

Informative AND funny. Thank you.

[@OverdriveMusic]

World, Rally....something. hahaha! Finally, someone with a decent sense of humour!

[@Yagerbombs83]

for those of you wanting a wagon/hatch, subaru has made it known that there is a very good reason that there isnt a hatch or wagon. and that is purely performance based. They wanted to focus on one body style and one chassis and make it as best as it can be, rather than 2 body styles be good. And if you look at the performance vs. last gen, yea it may be slower 0-60, but this car is 100% more fun to drive and corners better, and the new engine kicks it up to a whole new level of fuck yea. So i get it, your not happy about the no wagon/hatch, but the reason there isnt one, is worth it.

[@Bernievids]

Under steer!right at the end you finally said it. First thing I hated and hat about sums it up for me. The confidence is not the problem entirely - it is an overpowered, vehicle just not set up without the nannies to gun safely. Most who drive this at 70% will not care. Pushing it harder causes rapid brake fade as you try to power through corners, amongst other things, but that engine keeps producing the power, no doubt about that.maybe stickier rubber but ain't nobody got time for dat.

[@Xenophene01]

I'm happy to see bigger wheels and see that they are not so dark. But seriously. They should be bright silver to make this car look awesome. I would so paint these wheels and add a front lip to make it look more aggressive.

[@Calbenmike]

I take exception to his negativity on the exterior. I think it looks great.

[@martydominguez5861]

Awesome review!

[@Arsing116]

nice review man!

[@VoodooZ]

Great and hilarious review.

[@johnallard2429]

Give us the freaking wagon, Subaru!

[@ralentinovossi8081]

There's a wagon coming soon called the Levorg.

[@SouthernUnboxer]

CarGurus Great video. I was curious though, how tall are you? I noticed your knee was close to the ignition key at roughly the 1:00 mark of the video. Does that ever become an issue?

[@jimdalgetty]

I really like the looks!!

[@chairrules2007]

Getting rid of the hatchback wrx was a mistake. Everyone has their own personal taste, but if you look at the numbers, hatchback sales made up the majority of wrx sales in this country. I know most Americans don't like hatchbacks, but I really like them. (Most Americans also like pick up trucks, mini vans and suv's, and then hypocritically complain about things such as gas prices, emissions, pollution, etc. hahaha). Good review, good car, Subaru needs to bring back the hatchback version. That way, we have a choice; just like whether or not to listen to phil collins : )

[@waynerm002]

They need to bring the Levorg here and give it a bit more luxury feel. I'd take one if I don't snag a Volvo V60 R-Design before they get around to doing it.

[@Rouky779]

I miss mitsubishi evo 9 , i want it back :(

[@Fahrenheit38]

Where do you film this stuff? Looks like such a nice location

[@KrazeEdition]

These B Roll shots are killing me...

[@KrazeEdition]

the cutaway shots or "beauty shots" showing the car that were filmed. They were not shot very well :/ but thats okay lol

[@KrazeEdition]

***** It was overall, just the B Roll shots were frustrating to watch lol, not a big deal though.

[@jordangoodrich2417]

The new wrx looks like a Toyota Camry with a hood scoop lol

[@benjamincox692]

Jesus I love this guy

[@bledzone231]

Benjamin Cox You Gay.?

[@iyanmanzano]

that intro! man! nearly spat my coffee HAHAHA dream car asf 💙💙💙

[@Dhoyos7]

Take back that Phill Collins comment.

[@josephgomes9777]

I'm pretty sure that WRX stands for World Rally Experimental

[@saiyanreddragon]

Don't know why the STI with a 2.5 EJ motor is $10k more... the FA 2.0 DIT motor is waaaaay better and capable of much more power.

[@Mookaton]

saiyanreddragon Diff control system/suspension is likely where the cost is mostly.

[@redjaredits]

saiyanreddragon I disagree. The EJ has been around longer and there's more performance parts readily available. And both motors can handle a lot more power, it's the transmissions you have to worry about.

[@sergiodc2948]

saiyanreddragon you can actually dump 10K on them (non STI's) and get about 440HP to the wheels (about 535 Nominal HP) without having to worry about the transmission or anything else plus you'll be running with 85 grade instead of 93... so, that said, you can race pretty much anything that's around 180 to 200K out there. It's a shame I've paid 2k for the extra warranty or I will get it done in a heart beat... smh... the other thing I don't like about the STI is that it does have a timing belt, something that I really don't like dealing with (non-sti use chain). Half of those 10K you mentioned is the suspension set up and power distribution possibilities. Regards,

[@ianhowe3089]

its world rally cross, kinda like pedestian X means crossing

[@bestcarreview5021]

Awesome 😀 😀 2016 Subaru WRX Review .

[@wayward03]

Think it's funny everyone talks about wanting a hatch but they didn't sell that well when they did make them... I understand the utility part. But then just buy a fxt and you'll have a cvt wrx hatch.

[@carlospereira3504]

You are so right, why no flippin wagon?

[@yliton]

Those are carbon fiber not PLASTIC my friend.

[@randomrt8135]

the wrx forum is plague with clutch and TOB issues. I wonder if the cvt has any issues compared to the manual.

[@onyxmotorsports4755]

+RandomRT you again ^^ , if people would stop launchin their car in the rev limiter they would have less clutch issue!

[@tougeruzbay]

How come they don't put the WRX on Nürnburgring

[@kujinsan26]

"There bits of plastic everywher" while zooming in on one of many carbon fiber trims.

[@amandab3946]

Aren't they fake carbon fiber trims

[@Wolfy2929]

Manual trans doesn't make sense for me. I do all city driving. Plus the CVT is better on fuel.

[@lsh19930713]

Manual seems annoying for city driving but actually you dont have too much chances to shift gears in cities. Most time just 1st/2nd gear driving so it wont be that annoying like you imagined.

[@TillDeathDoIGame]

WRX World Rally Cross?

[@LPauloGL]

World Rally eXperiment

[@P1iskin]

Love ur vids bro. Hilarious

[@kaz3d]

there is a wagon, the Levorg. Everything WRX - Engine, front end looks, specs, interior etc only difference, has a big.. wagony.. boot. But dont tell Subaru that, they dont like it. I dont think the U.S will get it though?

[@007Jaredboy]

I don't understand what's so great about wagons?? Maybe its a generational thing; in my day, a wagon was grandma's wood panel station wagon. No thank you. Also I like Phil Collins. So yea.

[@CEPHALEXIN323]

I have a 2015 didn't 3 things change on this? Bigger wheels, stereo, and the signal switch?

[@blizbiggy]

CEPHALEXIN323 I was comparing too. I don't see much change. Not gonna lie, stock stereo in the '15 blows. Aftermarket head unit and speakers fixes that though.

[@AlphaYTang]

Good review, but until people have really driven the CVT version, I'm tired of hearing people bash on it JUST because its not a manual.

[@roberts4605]

Seriously though.The wagon? WTF!

[@coopsnz1]

It's a hatch back past shape , not a wagon

[@studio4life1]

Subaru bring that WRX hatchback!!!

[@mpstroudy88]

The video stabilization made me kinda woozy. I don't want to be woozy.

[@WatermanW52]

You look cramped in this car, is it that bad? I'm 6'3" and that's my only concern.

[@WatermanW52]

I owned a '97 legacy and it was very cramped. Guess they haven't changed.

[@germie7666]

The Wagon is the LEVORG. But it’s CVT only. WTF Subaru?

[@MonRoeTheory]

I want one!!!!!!!!!

[@ohplezz]

I just don't get why any man would want a lame azz station wagon.

[@TWHISPERER]

BTW, good review.

[@josel8311]

The cupra fr kicks ass the subaru :/

[@jayczyzyk9707]

gti isfar from refined

[@skyistooblue2]

what's the song? it reminds me of drift city

[@user-zd8vg1nl5g]

This? Or a focus st?

[@jayczyzyk9707]

where was this filmed