A fun and fast family car! 2023 Subaru WRX Sportswagon tS review

Think family cars can't be fun and fast? Wrong! Meet the 2023 Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon.
CarsGuide family car tester Ash Leung owns a Volkswagen Golf R wagon - so she's no stranger to fast family cars. And with the new-gen Subaru WRX wagon competing against the new VW Golf R, Mini Clubman Cooper S and Skoda Octavia RS, we figured she'd be perfect to see what the new Rexxy long-roof model is like for her and her fam.
With a new baby in the mix, Ash's family now runs a total of four occupants - can the new Levorg replacement fit everyone and everything you need? With the optional Thule roof box, and a bunch of other accessories fitted to this test car, it really is an interesting speedy station wagon.
Watch the video to find out the price, fuel consumption, driving experience, practicality and more.
#Subaru #SubaruWRX #Review
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00:00 Intro
00:36 Pricing and features
02:46 Design
03:20 Practicality
07:25 Driving
08:16 Efficiency
08:45 Safety
09:27 Ownership
09:53 Verdict
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Read Ash's full review: carsgui.de/3CP...
Check out our Subaru WRX hub: carsgui.de/3w9...
Find more Wagons: carsgui.de/3rH...
Visit our Family Guide: carsgui.de/2qpbJia
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#2023Subaru #2023SubaruWRX #2023SubaruReview #2023SubaruWRXReview #Subaru #SubaruWRX #SubaruWRXReview #CarsGuideReview #Wagon #Sportswagon #SubaruWRXSportswagon #SubaruSportswagon #SportswagonReview #WagonReview #CarReview #FamilyGuide #FamilyGuideReview #FamilyReview

[@underdose93]

I don’t see how the whistling from the Thule roof box is a fault of Subaru?

[@daweigo6851]

It's not

[@sasquatch5078]

She says pointless cd player but I love my cd’s and I definitely miss that with today’s cars

[@Markcantfindausernam]

I got one of these as a loaner when I took my XV in for a service in Lilydale in Melbourne. I had to drive it through the Black Spur to get home which is a popular stretch of winding road over a mountain range, ( just for the sake of context). This thing was far better than fine. During the course of my drive i'd started playing with settings, and dialing it in really wakes this car up and getting the suspension into sport mode improves feel and confidence significantly. This car is plenty fast, the CVT does a frankly decent job of providing a sporty drive, but no...if you want a manual experience, this isnt it. If you know Subaru then the interior is exactly what you'd expect. Comfortable, safe, nice enough finishes. reasonably durable and fit for purpose...not exciting, but totally fine and usable and about what you'd expect for the price point. By the time I did the return trip I actually felt really comfortable and confident going fast with this thing and it was great. The first thing you would do would be to ditch the OEM tires ( which are disappointing and squeal around corners at even moderate speeds) and put on something more sporting and you'd have a really capable wagon. It is quiet so if you like to enjoy the sound that motor produces that may also provide an opportunity for aftermarket play. By the time I picked my car up I was, and am, seriously considering one when trade in time comes. The only qualifier would be premium fuel and country miles in a daily driver that gets well used...but thats the cost of performance. I didnt notice any whistling at any speed, and, by the way, how can you reasonably review a "performance" vehicle with a flipping roof box on it? Definitely worth a test drive if you are in the market IMHO.

[@bachnguyen9294]

I've only owned a Honda Fit in my life and it's made me sensitive to road noise, which is quite too loud for everyday commute on the highway. May I ask your opinion about road noise in your XV and this WRX wagon? I have not had a chance to test drive any subaru cars yet.

[@Markcantfindausernam]

In terms of rattle and squeaking Im 4 years into my xv at about 120 thousand km and its fine ( Micheline Primacy 5 tires for your reference) In Australia we have coarse chip bitumen on country roads which is pretty noisy in any car but when you're on nice smooth highway or freeway I find the XV actually pretty relaxing and quiet and to be honest with you. I didnt notice it in the WRX wagon so Id say its as good as or better. I also have a new mustang that rattles/hums on those same roads just for comparisons sake and road noise tends to be more of an issue with bigger/sportier tires. Hope that helps.@@bachnguyen9294

[@scott-wright]

God she absolutely hammered it and then pulled out an 8.5 for it??

[@tavorrulez]

It’s 6.9 to 7.1 seconds tested on PD drive. She didn’t change modes to get the most out of the car

[@cmav8]

I still play my music discs in the Car, they have better quality than Spotify

[@zaamuro8408]

Come on Carsguide, this is a new low for you with the click-bait title and its nothing like MCM's one, that's why they built it! As Ash is an owner of the 7 R wagon this could've been a perfect review from that standpoint but came out is bland and boring.

[@alexandrupirvu3987]

Agree with you here. Average review!

[@fawshaw3361]

I am. I still use cd's.

[@inodesnet]

4:15 “neither of them are fast charger” But label disagrees stating 2.1A 2.1 amps is the minimum requirement for something like an iPad. Normal USB ports are 1 amp. I think of all the reviews I’ve been watching on CarsGuide for years. This one screams inaccuracies, bias and picking on everything you can. Only review I’ve seen that highlights storage on the roof, but then bags out the lack of storage inside (it’s on the roof), then proceeds to say how useless the sunroof is with the previously mentioned roof box installed.

[@alvis1448]

You’re 100% correct, 2.1A is fast charging. Would be nice if a correction was made by CarSales in the comments, not just ignored.

[@TheNorthRemebers]

More about watts and not amps

[@mciantar1999]

Quite a good review. It was a family car review. Not a performance review. Sick of these car bores making stupid comments. My outback has a small sunroof and I like it. Car doesn't get too hot. Unfortunately the price and auto gearbox takes this off my wish list.

[@MaratSTI]

CD option - this is very NICE, love that feauture in my Legacy XT 2020 with Harman Kardon. Recorded a hi-res cd's and chilling!

[@steveallen1340]

The title is technically correct, its just that it’s like the MCM car before they did any mods.

[@hughmangus2324]

The title is misleading, the mcm one is manual with the sti running gear

[@Dan4096]

@@hughmangus2324 how's it misleading?

[@alvis1448]

I feel to me this review comes across in parts with a sense of “snobbery”, which is a great way to alienate your audience even if that wasn’t the aim. “You can enjoy your tiny sunroof” and apparently the interior is not wow... have you seen the interior of the Golf R? All it has going for it is a fancy screen... then they forgot about everything else. Even the latest CarsGuide video review says this! Would have also been nice to let the audience know the ride is as good as what you say because of the adaptive suspension... and for only $1,500 more than the base model... now that’s premium if we’re going down that road... But to even say a WRX wagon is premium is just not realistic in my books... just look at the sticker price compared to a Golf R and it will tell you. Obvious omissions like this make it snobbery when you talk about a sun roof as opposed to the things that really make a difference when driving a car. A review I was hanging out for, but feel disappointed... maybe the written review is better...

[@rjblue42]

Yes, and complaining about how hard it was to mount the baby seats because the cargo barrier was chosen to be installed had me shaking my head. As for the CD player, not everyone is switched on enough to use their phone as their music player, such as my older in-laws.

[@Dan4096]

Also the complaint about premium fuel... Golf R needs premium also

[@G.Uppercut123]

Amazing wagon! I wish we got these here in Canada 🇨🇦

[@oi32df]

As with any other asian* brand who offer wagons in the rest of the world this will not happen because they want you to buy their big suv in north america . * like the magnificent Mazda6 break.

[@markhetherington7703]

Really. Complains about the whistling generated by an after market accessory. How is that Subaru's fault. Jez!

[@inodesnet]

4:35 tactile controls though - that’s spot on! Subaru’s new vertical screens and UI put far too much in menus and those with android auto will feel dissatisfied with the lack of utilising the portrait mode.

[@mlee6136]

Gosh this car in Singapore is A$256,000. Came here to daydream, nice video,

[@timbowman7867]

Except the whole basis of MCM build was to have a 6speed manual, which this doesn’t have. Just a poor click bait keyword

[@eyecontrol4900]

its a crime that this isnt offered with the manual. always been a tradition that most WRX's are available with the 6speed. Subary shooting themselves in the foot

[@Dan4096]

Where's the clickbait?

[@eugene9852]

Looks like they've just re-branded the 2020 Levorg 🤔

[@Aiken47]

Did you adjust the driving mode, tightening up steering?

[@benmorris7276]

It's nice to see they got rid of all terrible plastic cladding

[@Noscrapsinmyscrapbook]

Great wagon. Amazing body and sounds great as well. Car looks good too.

[@rickdias1981]

Great review Ash! Liked and subscribed!

[@ivankhalid4699]

Subaru will be really happy with this review. Barely any faults pointed out in 10 minutes.

[@santouchesantouche2873]

Hmmm she mentioned some. Floaty steering. Not so sporty. Also, fuel consumption. Reverse camera. Etc. Come on man

[@Dan4096]

"the GPS is a bit buggy" But no need to explain how...

[@burgurs]

She was bagging out the car IMO, I test drove one and disagree with this review

[@M8YM8]

What’s the correlation between having kids and needing a fast charger? 😂

[@Dan4096]

I would also like to know this

[@oi32df]

having children drains your battery is well known

[@Asymmetry0]

Ugh click bait title to a condensending review.

[@missmissajay]

She sounds like she absolutely hates this car 😂 and then gave it 8.5/10!

[@santouchesantouche2873]

Finally a practical car review. Not a zero to 100 test in sight! Thank you! Top gear have messed up car reviews for long enough

[@zaamuro8408]

Go watch the Chasing Cars reviews then, much better than this....

[@santouchesantouche2873]

@@zaamuro8408 nah I liked this one. She was good. I really need practical info such as can 2 prams fit in it

[@jasonlewis2990]

As an owner of a same car I have to absolutely disagree with so much of this review, and its the first Subaru I've ever owned. Not sure how you can give a car an 8.5 with all the negative bias you gave it.

[@santouchesantouche2873]

Elaborate

[@microwrx]

No manual option so nothing like the MCM one. ie. Irrelevant.

[@mwboost]

Not sure how you used 13L. Must be the extra weight on the roof. All of my turbo subies with mixed driving stock or moded/tuned only ever maxed out around 10.8-11. Averaged between 9.4-10.4...🤷🏻‍♂️

[@72mardy]

It's nothing like the MCM levorg 🤣 Not even close.

[@beatface1337]

TS models used to be good since STI actually touched them just didn't just throw badge on it you would get upgraded suspension strut bracers better brakes etc and limited amount build being a JDM only. I took this new one for test drive it was a slap in the face to what they used to be

[@leor3626]

She’s back! Brilliant as usual

[@eyecontrol4900]

pretty sure she took time off, because i remember she was preggo earlier this yr. One of the best reviewers on Carsguide.

[@user-gi8kr8hu4h]

Does the sedan wrx drive like this as well? Or different? Which one is more fun

[@colhutchins]

Are the different wheels that are on this wrx still 225 or can you put on the 245's of the sedan?

[@groo2765]

I wish we had this in the US!!! I’d buy one!!

[@neilblyberg3052]

What a whinger. Clearly both the Golf R and WRX Wagon are not the right car for this Mum. My wife sold her WRX and bought a Liberty Wagon when we had kids.

[@rattelv426]

when I purchased my 2022 WRX tS Sedan, I was pleasantly shocked that there was a CD player available. When I had purchased my 2017 (October built) Mazda3 SP25 GT a few years earlier, I was a bit disappointed that the CD player had been deleted, it isn't a must have, but it is cool to have the CD player option. *Driving a new Subaru WRX and still miss my 1996 NF-II Ford Fairlane.

[@rajTrondhjem10]

Does the engine sound good and is the build quality ok? Nice review..

[@NoOne56488]

13.9l /100 that is insane and couldn't be right, my XR8 uses less than that...Also they need to get rid of the damn CVT..

[@jfishcake]

Needed in the States.

[@sasquatch5078]

They really need to bring this to the states I think they would sell good and plus I want one

[@oi32df]

As with any other asian* brand who offer wagons in the rest of the world this will not happen because they want you to buy their big suv in north america . * like the magnificent Mazda6 break.

[@JohnErnstP76]

Nothing like the MCM car hence why they did a quick comparison and showed up how slow and boring this wagon is. Fantastic that two blokes from the burbs are living rent free in the minds of a company like eBays…

[@jameswillis8969]

Did she even drive it on a highway?

[@DashcamAdelaide]

I'd personally prefer the Golf R wagon or the MINI Clubman John Cooper Works

[@blindmotion812]

Hard watch

[@Robtsunami]

Cargo barrier $870?? You can get one wayyyyy cheaper

[@reestyfarts]

No high speed handling assessment. Relying on a camera when reversing when you have mirrors is not correct. No coverage of the tires.

[@themightymitsubishilancere8027]

Does it has Colin McRae things?

[@grantreid8583]

13.9 per 100 takes this car off my list subarus have never been known for economy my falcon turbo average just over 14 per 100 and it had a lot more power than the subaru.

[@calamarininjabeast5866]

Poor review a mum with prams isn’t the target audience, one of the few true affordable performance cars left deserve to be respected for what they are 🤬

[@Jordanphil23]

13.9l per 100km. Holy crap... What will the figures be after a few years?

[@Dan4096]

She's either hammered it or idled it loads or driven around town at slow speeds to get that figure. Not sure how a few years will change anything.

[@markrodz2633]

The united states market would sell so many of these

[@SmellyT0fu]

Yeah nah.. not like MCM’s one

[@VaporyAbyss]

Meadowbank park😂

[@Ali-yj6pl]

The cons of this car definitely outweigh the pros! Especially as a daily drive and family car!

[@Gregsheppo66]

Do you own one?

[@philgoodinc2]

Ughh the mcm one is Manual transmission STi. Wrx ≠ STi.

[@belchy94]

I prefer my mum’s au falcon station you can fit more in it with out of a roof box

[@BobbyDazzler888]

😂😂😂

[@mvnorsel6354]

Quite often older cars are ' simply better '.

[@ianmurphy8719]

MCM wagon does better skids.

[@vincentnaidu8228]

Wow brutal and condescending review

[@australianmade2659]

Reviews a car and tells you what it’s like to drive to the shops and pick up the kids.

[@EastWood2004]

Never seen her review before. She is really charming.

[@Farmer101]

Lov the design overall subi finish. Nearly 60k for subs your dreaming(comes with bonus cvt)

[@egijardani9479]

Keren juga

[@daweigo6851]

$3000 for roof box, ridiculous 😅

[@chrisweir1097]

Well this was just a very odd review.

[@geodome83]

The WRX is now a family car? LOL.

[@theamazinggoldfish8713]

And for all the men out there, 270 hp. Oh and by the way it is offered in Mexico now,.....in the Manual and CVT.

[@M8YM8]

Jesus it’s so expensive with all of those options fitted. Just buy a Forester they’re better and cheaper.

[@M8YM8]

@@shaun1900 Thems fightin words!

[@zaamuro8408]

@@M8YM8 he is not wrong

[@WildDanHibiki]

Golf R wagon is way better

[@santouchesantouche2873]

Why?

[@TomWilding1]

100%

[@Dan4096]

It's nicer looking for sure, you'll have more time to admire it at the roadside while waiting for the RAC 😂

[@shem44]

Wrong car for family. Get a mpv with sliding door

[@letsseeif]

Too expensive. And I'm tired of performance cars, [+ to clarify. Isn't it just a 2017 Levorge that just been tarted up?]

[@zaamuro8408]

Whole new car on a whole new platform. It fixes a lot of the things wrong with the old Levorg - like the ride, but no mention of that in this so called 'review'

[@longmeadow7307]

If she says ‘everythink’ one more time….

[@davidG15]

Ugh Subarus bring this to the states !

[@jamesmoros1274]

Unfortunately this is NOT a WRX wagon and we all know that 😂

[@hughventer2934]

Overpriced, underpowered, and for something coming out in 2023 for close to $70,000, quite boring.

[@eyecontrol4900]

and not even offered with a 6speed MT, as nearly 99% of Wrx's have always had the manual option.

[@Dan4096]

@@eyecontrol4900 hardly anyone buys a manual these days, so why would they bother producing them, from a business point of view?

[@eyecontrol4900]

@@Dan4096 the whole point of getting a Wrx is to get the manual. The history, image and reputation as a JDM rally car, means it should always be offered with the stickshift. I know in the US, like over 80% of Wrx's sold there are MT. if people wanted the auto, couldve gone with a Forester or XV instead.

[@Lokra_]

Rexxy

[@Mububban23]

13.9L/100km wow that's as bad as my 20 year old Magna V6 wagon with 4 speed auto!!!

[@Dan4096]

I don't think that's a representative figure, she's either hammered it or driven around at slow speeds a lot

[@glennmk5167]

Pull the motor out and twin turbo the 3.6r then it will become a weapon....

[@santouchesantouche2873]

John cadogan sort of debunked this. Sure he didnt do it with a turbo 3.6 but that didnt exist. The 2.4 is a better engine

[@glennmk5167]

@@santouchesantouche2873 seen that but look at a guy called Smeedia he's building H6 with the old 3.0 and doing it with a turbo, but I think 3.6r TT would hit peak numbers b4 a N/A, just little bit of extra weight, FA24 is only a stroker FA20 that's all

[@santouchesantouche2873]

@@glennmk5167 no it's the opposite. The 3.6 is a bored out 3.0ltr. So thinner cylinder walls. The fa24 is a whole new design not a stroked fa20

[@glennmk5167]

@@santouchesantouche2873 The FA24 is a 2.4 L, flat-four, turbocharged engine with direct injection. Subaru increased the bore from 86mm to 94mm to get the extra 0.4 L of displacement over the FA20DIT. It features an all-aluminum block and head, and has dual overhead cams controlled by a timing chain. American designed as well nothing to do with Japan, sorry meant to say bore, should I bore out my 2016 WRX to make that difference considering it's lighter then VB one, so how is it a new design???

[@glennmk5167]

@@santouchesantouche2873 Breaking from the norm is Machir and his unique 820-hp 2006 STi. What makes it unique is that instead of building the EJ25, he took the 3.0L H-6 out of a Subaru Tribeca, boosted it with a big 72mm Borg Warner turbo, and bolted it to a Kotouc sequential trans similar to Don's, do really know anything about boxer motors or just jumped on the bandwagon

[@buster_1972]

I'll stick with my 03 Pajero diesel. I can get under 12.5lts with all the bell's n whistles. Just need to get out to dingo piss creek. And it's done 380,000kms.

[@Dan4096]

I really doubt that fuel consumption figure is representative

[@xikanhan3916]

Come on, might just be one-off for the roof box wind nosie? Could you sugar coat it any further? How stupid do you assume we are!

[@Justin88Exelby]

Wowzers what a Karen.😂

[@nojl461]

You're just bias

[@Ober1kenobi]

MCM Did it first Subaru 🫣